Tax return

[Mara0899 80]

Hello guys, my USC wife is gonna make tax return to petition sponsoring me as spouse. Does she need to declare as married or single ? and what they will need document from me if she declared as married? Thank you. 

[stm 61]

7 minutes ago, Mara0899 said:

Hello guys, my USC wife is gonna make tax return to petition sponsoring me as spouse. Does she need to declare as married or single ? and what they will need document from me if she declared as married? Thank you. 

softwares like turbotax help you.. We files me and my wife freely through it.

 

She has to file married. But she can files jointly (for her and u) or separately.  Generally it is bette to do jointly.

 

[geowrian 22,337]

If you were married on the last day of 2017, then you must file as such. You cannot file as single while married.

Edited February 10, 2018 by geowrian

[j&ana 363]

she can file married jointly or  married separate. Do you have SSN or ITIN number? if not then  it will be best  if she  file married separate. If she file married separate  and not claim you as exemption .  you will not need SSN or ITIN number  now. After you arrived in USA and get SSN.  She  can  amen her tax form  to married jointly

or you can apply for an ITIN number then she can file married jointly

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf

Edited February 10, 2018 by j&ana

[bakphx1 789]

I filed married jointly and assuming no SSN yet, you will need to go to a tax preparer that is also an ITIN acceptance agent.  You'll need her passport, so she'll have to FedEx it to you.  No online filing as the ITIN forms must be attached to the paper tax return (you can't just apply for an ITIN as a standalone transaction). 

 

The tax break for being married will cover these costs and then some! 

 

Having a joint tax return is also proof of a bona-fide relationship. 

Edited February 10, 2018 by bakphx1@aol.com

[bakphx1 789]

1 minute ago, bakphx1@aol.com said:

I filed married jointly last year before my husband arrived. Assuming no SSN yet, you will need to go to a tax preparer that is also an ITIN acceptance agent.  You'll need her passport, so she'll have to FedEx it to you.  No online filing as the ITIN forms must be attached to the paper tax return (you can't just apply for an ITIN as a standalone transaction). 

 

The tax break for being married will cover these costs and then some! 

 

Having a joint tax return is also proof of a bona-fide relationship. 

 

[j&ana 363]

 

your  wife  can file married separate then you will not need ITIN number you might get less back now but she can amend it when you get here and get back any more  money that is owe to her but she can not claim you as an exemption on tax form

 

If your spouse is a nonresident alien, he or she must have either an SSN or an ITIN if:

You file a joint return,

You file a separate return and claim an exemption for your spouse, or

Your spouse is filing a separate re-turn

Edited February 10, 2018 by j&ana
for got to add something

[geowrian 22,337]

For reference, USCIS and the embassies do not care if you file MFJ or MFS. That's a tax decision based on whatever situation has the lowest tax liability. No reasonable person expects you to file jointly if your taxes are lower filing separately (it usually isn't anyway).

Just don't file as single.

[j&ana 363]

a joint tax return is not that great proof of a bona-fide relationship. it is good for income purpose

Edited February 10, 2018 by j&ana

[Mara0899 80]

1 hour ago, j&ana said:

she can file married jointly or  married separate. Do you have SSN or ITIN number? if not then  it will be best  if she  file married separate. If she file married separate  and not claim you as exemption .  you will not need SSN or ITIN number  now. After you arrived in USA and get SSN.  She  can  amen her tax form  to married jointly

or you can apply for an ITIN number then she can file married jointly

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf

if she will file married jointly, what document from me to proceed that? EX: Marriage certificate, Date of birth certificate, passport ?

[j&ana 363]

you will need your passport to get an ITIN number. it is so much easier to file married separate and then amend it. That is what I did when I was in the process of getting my wife visa. then when she arrived here I amended it and sent the amended version into the IRS

 

 I believe you have up to 3 years to amend your taxes

Some people confuse filing married separated as being separated or divorce from  your spouse  but that is not what this means It just means your are filing your taxes separate then your spouse

Edited February 10, 2018 by j&ana

[Mara0899 80]

2 minutes ago, j&ana said:

you will need your passport to get an ITIN number. it is so much easier to file married separate and then amend it. That is what I did when I was in the process of getting my wife visa. then when she arrived here I amended it and sent the amended version into the IRS

as I'm here in Cambodia, can I scan my passport then send to her ?

[Londonergirl 133]

Do you live in the US.....? DO you have a social security number?

[Mara0899 80]

1 minute ago, Londonergirl said:

Do you live in the US.....? DO you have a social security number?

I'm here in Cambodia, my USC wife will make tax return for petition to sponsor me in form i-864ez required 3 years tax return info. 

[j&ana 363]

yes I guess you could but I still recommend filing married separate I just don't see the reason to file jointly now when you can file married separate and then amend your taxes later

 you can still use the tax form on the I-184  I did for my wife and it was no problem

Edited February 10, 2018 by j&ana