Tax Question

[Ketsuban 1,034]

I know of some women with children who were in same situation no SS# or ITIN and filed HOH and had no issue. You just can't file electronically. Just like MFS you can do it all through online but will have to print and mail in.. Because of the empty SS# it won't allow the electronic.

So that's an option also.

H&R Block let us file electronically without an SSN/ITIN. We did MFS, might be worth seeing if HOH works on there too.

[livindadream 156]

MFS is such a horrible filing status though...especially if she has children..if I'm not mistaken, if she files MFS she will not be eligible for EIC, child tax credit or anything like that.

HR Block once told me that if the spouse has not lived in the home for at least six months, you can file HOH...So, I'm pretty sure it will fly with the IRS, just don't know how it would look to the CO. Come to think of it...that's pretty funny that in my world, a CO is more intimidating than the IRS. lol

Edited January 26, 2014 by AYOsGirl

[Luvmytater 88]

Thank you to everyone for your help. My only option to file and receive the EIC credit is to file using the "head of household" option so that's what I will be using and H&R block did say I could e-file that way since he technically won't be on the return but it will show me as married. I was just worried that not having his name on the return might not look good when it came to the NVC.

[BethAnn and Omar 42]

I don't think the NVC or embassy cares who is on your return just that you meet the income requirements

I say this because I filed as Single (which Vjers have said is incottect) but it had no impact on our case. My husband's visa was approved with no problems at all.

[Luvmytater 88]

I don't think the NVC or embassy cares who is on your return just that you meet the income requirements

I say this because I filed as Single (which Vjers have said is incottect) but it had no impact on our case. My husband's visa was approved with no problems at all.

Thank you so much for share your experience. That does make me feel better

[LoveMyTico 999]

You can file single and be married... it all depends on your preference. I'm not filing Married until my husband is actually here. 2013 Tax returns are for the income requirement

[BethAnn and Omar 42]

You can file single and be married... it all depends on your preference. I'm not filing Married until my husband is actually here. 2013 Tax returns are for the income requirement

I thought so too but then I got attacked by some members saying I committed perjury or whatever.

[NikLR 13,232]

You have. But your choice to live with it.

[dwheels76 5,476]

Well however someone files can come under the scrutiny of the embassy. Every embassy is different and I only can speak about Lagos and the countless cases I know of who had issues how they filed.

Many women still file with their ex's (no no....yes believe it). Some file single and CO's have questioned why. It's one of those if you are married and in love why don't you file as married, (same with name changes in Lagos they notice).

Personally even filing "Married filing separate" is cool the tax transcript comes to Mr and Mrs DWHEELS76 and that's great co-mingling evidence.

Amended and money can come later who cares about that.

Yes the W4 says if you have a foreign spouse living abroad check single but that's for W4 filing you have to file married or Head of household if you are married pure and simple.

You have to remember just because someone from another embassy did something different and no questions ask doesn't mean you will. Just like how some embassies don't ask for evidence of a bonafide relationship. You are going through Lagos make sure all your T's and I's are dotted and crossed.

I also know of someone who for 3years filed single when her husband went to interview in Lagos the CO said he would not accept the tax transcripts and they would have to amen the taxes. It took at about a year.

Don't mean to scare you but it is what it is. you can roll the dice if you want . But as I said Head of Household you don't need his SS# file it and mail it in or go to H&RBLOCK

[Luvmytater 88]

Well however someone files can come under the scrutiny of the embassy. Every embassy is different and I only can speak about Lagos and the countless cases I know of who had issues how they filed.

Many women still file with their ex's (no no....yes believe it). Some file single and CO's have questioned why. It's one of those if you are married and in love why don't you file as married, (same with name changes in Lagos they notice).

Personally even filing "Married filing separate" is cool the tax transcript comes to Mr and Mrs DWHEELS76 and that's great co-mingling evidence.

Amended and money can come later who cares about that.

Yes the W4 says if you have a foreign spouse living abroad check single but that's for W4 filing you have to file married or Head of household if you are married pure and simple.

You have to remember just because someone from another embassy did something different and no questions ask doesn't mean you will. Just like how some embassies don't ask for evidence of a bonafide relationship. You are going through Lagos make sure all your T's and I's are dotted and crossed.

I also know of someone who for 3years filed single when her husband went to interview in Lagos the CO said he would not accept the tax transcripts and they would have to amen the taxes. It took at about a year.

Don't mean to scare you but it is what it is. you can roll the dice if you want . But as I said Head of Household you don't need his SS# file it and mail it in or go to H&RBLOCK

Thank you very much. As I said I plan to file HOH and the scary part is that we have to go through Lagos. I want to make sure all is well, because at this point I don't want to make any mistakes that could get us denied. I've heard far too many horror stories about Lagos and it's stressful enough without me making a preventable mistake.

[dwheels76 5,476]

Thank you very much. As I said I plan to file HOH and the scary part is that we have to go through Lagos. I want to make sure all is well, because at this point I don't want to make any mistakes that could get us denied. I've heard far too many horror stories about Lagos and it's stressful enough without me making a preventable mistake.

Amen. Smart girl. No need to give anyone ammo to shoot you down.

[Luvmytater 88]

Amen. Smart girl. No need to give anyone ammo to shoot you down.

never an option lol

[BethAnn and Omar 42]

You have. But your choice to live with it.

Thanks I think.

[novedsac 355]

You can file single and be married... it all depends on your preference. I'm not filing Married until my husband is actually here. 2013 Tax returns are for the income requirement

No, you cannot. The IRS clearly lists and explains the requirements for the five filing categories.

IRS also clearly explains the options for a resident USC filing with a non-resident spouse.

These may also be available in other languages, though I'm unsure, in case understanding the English is an issue.

And why anyone would ever agree to pay hundreds/thousands of extra dollars in taxes by filing single when they are married is just plain stupid.

And yes, if you sign your federal tax return, you are signing a statement attesting to the truthfulness of the information in your tax return. Stating you are Single when you are Married is a lie, an untruth, a false statement.

[Ketsuban 1,034]

It's so easy to file MFS, I'm not sure what the benefit of filing single is, even for convenience purposes. As I said, H&R Block will allow you to file electronically while leaving the SSN field blank for the foreign spouse. I can see why a CO would question filing single. At this point, it just looks like you're trying to hide your marriage.