ITIN number and required documents

[Kastrs 723]

Should MFS be filed online or we need to send a manual file

Because your wife will not have a SSN/ITIN you will need to manually write NRA in and mail in a paper return

[Dal&Rose 45]

I am filing MFJ with my UK spouse. He scheduled an appointment at the US Embassy (3 weeks out) and went in to get the necessary paperwork. Before we scheduled an appointment, I did email the US Embassy (through their contact form) and verified they will do the documents needed to attach with the W-7 for an ITIN. He took in the W-7, but the representative from the US Embassy does nothing with it. But she was familiar with the request, so took his passport, made a copy signed/stamped it as necessary and gave him specific instructions on what to do next. When he got home, he printed out the letter I told him to sign since we both have to sign statement for 'consider resident alien for tax year'. It's in the mail to me now.

I have my taxes done on Turbo Tax, with his income being exempt due to it being foreign. Once I get the paperwork, I will print out my taxes, sign all necessary spots, date as necessary and mail it in.

It does depend on the US Embassy, not all Embassy's will sign/stamp the document needed for 'certifying' a passport. The cost was $50. It more more expensive to get train tickets and such then getting the documents needed.

[degbele 0]

I did this last year. I cannot tell if the IRS will accept the docs you intend to submit. But I know you can get a certified copy from the Accra embassy, or you can photocopy it and go to passport office and have them stamp on it. The latter was what I did and it got accepted.

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

Get a certify copy of your spouse's passport .And send a W-7 form to be signed also by your spouse (original)

It is done at Ministry of Foreign Affairs. My husband got his done there recently.

I got the tip from LoveinGhana.

I did this last year. I cannot tell if the IRS will accept the docs you intend to submit. But I know you can get a certified copy from the Accra embassy, or you can photocopy it and go to passport office and have them stamp on it. The latter was what I did and it got accepted.

Nope, the embassy doesn't notarize anymore.

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

She will need to visit the US Embassy with the W7, her original passport, and a copy of the biographic page of her passport

If you do not bring the original passport along with a copy, then they will not notarize the copy for you, also this fee typically costs $50 and you may need an appointment at the embassy

After it is notorized she will need to mail the documents to you along with a signed statement that she wishes to be treated as a resident alien for the 2015 tax year

That's not how it is done in Ghana.

The embassy does not notarize passports.

She has to do it at Ministry of Foreign Affairs. it cost about 100 ghc which is less than 50 dollars.

[Kastrs 723]

That's not how it is done in Ghana.

The embassy does not notarize passports.

She has to do it at Ministry of Foreign Affairs. it cost about 100 ghc which is less than 50 dollars.

If you read my first post, you would see I instructed the OP to verify what are acceptable agents on the IRS website

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

If you read my first post, you would see I instructed the OP to verify what are acceptable agents on the IRS website

That wasn't what I responded to...I responded to this statement you made below. And I am telling you how it is done in Ghana.I know you are very knowledgeable on lots of topics on this forum but this does not apply to Ghana.

She will need to visit the US Embassy with the W7, her original passport, and a copy of the biographic page of her passport

If you do not bring the original passport along with a copy, then they will not notarize the copy for you, also this fee typically costs $50 and you may need an appointment at the embassy

After it is notorized she will need to mail the documents to you along with a signed statement that she wishes to be treated as a resident alien for the 2015 tax year

[ParisHeart 19]

We filed our taxes joint this year, while same time applied for a ITIN via H&R Block, found out yesterday, H&R Block put there wrong agent number on the forms, and not being rejected after already waiting 8 weeks.

[strongmyk 51]

We filed our taxes joint this year, while same time applied for a ITIN via H&R Block, found out yesterday, H&R Block put there wrong agent number on the forms, and not being rejected after already waiting 8 weeks.

Sorry to hear that.

I did mine by myself. Got spouse's ITIN after 4 weeks and status on IRS shows return has been received and being processed. I already files amendments to my last 3 year tax returns from single status to married-filing-jointly

[MariaR323 199]

We filed our taxes joint this year, while same time applied for a ITIN via H&R Block, found out yesterday, H&R Block put there wrong agent number on the forms, and not being rejected after already waiting 8 weeks.

I'm sure they charged a pretty penny too.

If your spouse lived outside the U.S. for any part of 2015, make sure they also included the election statement which properly allows the MFJ filing status with a nonresident/dual status alien. If not, you might be looking at even more delays and possible rejection of the MFJ status.

[ParisHeart 19]

I'm sure they charged a pretty penny too.

If your spouse lived outside the U.S. for any part of 2015, make sure they also included the election statement which properly allows the MFJ filing status with a nonresident/dual status alien. If not, you might be looking at even more delays and possible rejection of the MFJ status.

Sorry to hear that.

I did mine by myself. Got spouse's ITIN after 4 weeks and status on IRS shows return has been received and being processed. I already files amendments to my last 3 year tax returns from single status to married-filing-jointly

Wow , your very lucky, have no clue when we will receive refund. Have to see how all this plays out. Oh well, its part of life.

I'm sure they charged a pretty penny too.

No, not really, mainly for filing our taxes. Only reason we went there is cause we need the ITIN.

If your spouse lived outside the U.S. for any part of 2015, make sure they also included the election statement which properly allows the MFJ filing status with a nonresident/dual status alien. If not, you might be looking at even more delays and possible rejection of the MFJ status.

Edited March 18, 2016 by ParisHeart

[bigjailerman 318]

Some countries, like Colombia, now provides an apostatized certified copy of a passport. I am currently going through this this very day. We were denied last time because I didnt attach a copy of the 1040. I didnt want to send the passport again because we may be called for the K1 interview and dont want to lose it for almost 60 days.

Hope this helps