Taxes-

[lucybelle 453]

I read a few posts about taxes, but I'm still confused. I live in Costa Rica with my husband. We have yet to start the visa process yet because of some things that came up, although we plan to start sometime this year. I am currently in the process of getting my residency here, but it might take a couple more months before I'm approved. I have a years worth of foreign earned income to report on my US taxes. I also still have US bank accounts and stocks that have made a little interest throughout the year. We don't have any kids or any other dependents.

I read this page about filing as "head of household", but I don't know if I qualify because we don't have kids. I thought about filing "married- filing separately", but to do that would I still need to get him an ITIN? If we file "married- filing jointly" then I'd have to add in his foreign earned income with mine, right? And then I'd definitely need to get him an ITIN? Which form would I use to file? Up until this year I've always used 1040EZ since I was single, in the USA and not making much money. (still not making much money, but anyways... ) Do I need to file both state and federal taxes?

I have to do this all from abroad, in a country where the postal service is really really crappy. I'm so confused and I don't know where to start!

[misterbigtoe 45]

I read a few posts about taxes, but I'm still confused. I live in Costa Rica with my husband. We have yet to start the visa process yet because of some things that came up, although we plan to start sometime this year. I am currently in the process of getting my residency here, but it might take a couple more months before I'm approved. I have a years worth of foreign earned income to report on my US taxes. I also still have US bank accounts and stocks that have made a little interest throughout the year. We don't have any kids or any other dependents.

I read this page about filing as "head of household", but I don't know if I qualify because we don't have kids. I thought about filing "married- filing separately", but to do that would I still need to get him an ITIN? If we file "married- filing jointly" then I'd have to add in his foreign earned income with mine, right? And then I'd definitely need to get him an ITIN? Which form would I use to file? Up until this year I've always used 1040EZ since I was single, in the USA and not making much money. (still not making much money, but anyways... ) Do I need to file both state and federal taxes?

I have to do this all from abroad, in a country where the postal service is really really crappy. I'm so confused and I don't know where to start!

Been there done that! Yes, if you are married, you should file as married. To do this spouse needs to file form W-7 application for ITIN with the tax return.The ITIN is required for anyone who has a responsibility to report foreign income but has no right to a SS#.

Complete instructions with FAQs are here at IRS ITIN Information

You as we did will have to file complete federal and state tax returns reflecting foreign earned income where required and if mailing from anywhere in the developing world, post early and if possible post in a way that provides you with at least a receipt showing that you mailed something to the appropriate IRS P.O.Box . Be sure to make and safeguard copies of the return and all other forms and documentation that you submit.

MBT