Tax return

[geowrian 22,337]

3 minutes ago, j&ana said:

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

Because amending taxes is annoying. I've only done it a few times, but I hate having to do it (and the lack of e-filing it is burdensome! /rant).

Edited February 10, 2018 by geowrian

[Londonergirl 133]

3 minutes ago, j&ana said:

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

But can they file jointly if he doesn't even live here yet?

[j&ana 363]

it is not that annoying if you just changing separated to jointly and claiming an exemption

Edited February 10, 2018 by j&ana

[j&ana 363]

5 minutes ago, Londonergirl said:

But can they file jointly if he doesn't even live here yet?

yes they can file either way, to file jointly he needs either a SSN or ITIN number that why I suggest filling separate and amending taxes later when arrived in USA

Edited February 10, 2018 by j&ana

[Bzlibem 111]

Or if you want to file jointly and she doesn’t have an ITIN, you can apply for it alongside your tax return and attatch the ITIN form (w-something) on the top of your tax return.  the best way to do it is to schedule an appointment at IRS office and have your forms all ready, so that way you don’t need to bother with trying to get a certified copy of her passport, nor send the passport in mail and wait for months to get it back (yes, people do that lol).

at least that’s how we got it solved last year. Downside- a long wait. We filed in early February and got the ITIN and the refund in the middle of May 

advantage- it helps when you know you will have to prove state residency for all kinds of institutions, plus thanks to ITIN, she can start building her credit history right away

[JFH 12,190]

*~*~*moved from "IR-1/CR-1 spouse visa progress reports" to "tax and finances"*~^~*

[j&ana 363]

I will say BZlibem Has the perfect solution for you

 I will of done it that way for my wife if I would of known

 

Edited February 10, 2018 by j&ana

[Mara0899 80]

24 minutes ago, Bzlibem said:

Or if you want to file jointly and she doesn’t have an ITIN, you can apply for it alongside your tax return and attatch the ITIN form (w-something) on the top of your tax return.  the best way to do it is to schedule an appointment at IRS office and have your forms all ready, so that way you don’t need to bother with trying to get a certified copy of her passport, nor send the passport in mail and wait for months to get it back (yes, people do that lol).

at least that’s how we got it solved last year. Downside- a long wait. We filed in early February and got the ITIN and the refund in the middle of May 

advantage- it helps when you know you will have to prove state residency for all kinds of institutions, plus thanks to ITIN, she can start building her credit history right away

thanks, so i will still need marriage and birth certificate to apply for ITIN right ?

[bakphx1 789]

3 hours ago, bakphx1@aol.com said:

 

You need passport (actual), marriage certificate, but I don't think the birth certificate, though I brought it and they copied it.  Info like place of birth is needed, which is on the birth certificate. 

 

The acceptance agent is authorized to authenticate the documents, but you don't have to mail them in. 

 

When I scheduled an appointment with SSA initially, they insisted my husband go in person and directed me to that policy on their site.  That is why I recommend the agent.  Get the ITIN and taxes filed in one stop.  About $200.

 

The other advantage for me was open enrollment was a few months before he came, so I could enroll him in benefits like health insurance. 

Edited February 10, 2018 by bakphx1@aol.com

[Fmert001 127]

1 hour ago, Bzlibem said:

Or if you want to file jointly and she doesn’t have an ITIN, you can apply for it alongside your tax return and attatch the ITIN form (w-something) on the top of your tax return.  the best way to do it is to schedule an appointment at IRS office and have your forms all ready, so that way you don’t need to bother with trying to get a certified copy of her passport, nor send the passport in mail and wait for months to get it back (yes, people do that lol).

at least that’s how we got it solved last year. Downside- a long wait. We filed in early February and got the ITIN and the refund in the middle of May 

advantage- it helps when you know you will have to prove state residency for all kinds of institutions, plus thanks to ITIN, she can start building her credit history right away

I don't mind the wait I just didn't want the hassle of getting his passport.... it's a nightmare getting paperwork from Haiti.

[Mara0899 80]

1 hour ago, Fmert001 said:

I don't mind the wait I just didn't want the hassle of getting his passport.... it's a nightmare getting paperwork from Haiti.

just follow BZlibem 

[Devon&Julius 21]

She can also file head of household if she has another qualifying dependent that is NOT you. 

[payxibka 10,045]

7 hours ago, Mara0899 said:

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

No original 

[Bzlibem 111]

8 hours ago, Mara0899 said:

thanks, so i will still need marriage and birth certificate to apply for ITIN right ?

You for sure need her passport, or at least get a certified copy of it from an embassy (that way you can just mail it in to the irs without the IRS appointment) , and of course her signature on the ITIN form 

Otherwise, she would have to come with you to the IRS appointment do that the agent can approve the ITIN  and tax form and you don’t have to mail anything in 

and on the top of that you will need a marriage certificate if there was a name change 

 

Edited February 10, 2018 by Bzlibem

[Bzlibem 111]

6 hours ago, Fmert001 said:

I don't mind the wait I just didn't want the hassle of getting his passport.... it's a nightmare getting paperwork from Haiti.

You for sure will need to get her passport or a certified copy of it ( I know that embassies do it for like $50) or maybe there’s a way she get it directly in her country

another way to do it is she mails you her passport and you mail the original to the irs. People do that if they live far away from IRS or whatever. But it’s risky and probably unwise. 

 

I also remember that you could give them something else instead of passport if your passport was expired, I think it was a foreign drivers license with translation, and a birth certificate with translation. But I’m not sure how it would work out in your situation when her passport is valid but you just simply don’t have it.