Jump to content
ykowalski

Filing Taxes for year 2018

By ykowalski in Tax & Finances During US Immigration

 Share

7 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

ykowalski Contributor

ykowalski   11

Posted
Timeline
Posted

Hello everyone, 

This year me (Canadian) and my wife (USC) got married but we have not filed for CR1 yet. I am doing a legal name change in Canada first to get a new passport then she'll petition for me. 

 

Obviously, her marital status is different now. The question is, how does she file?

We have a joint bank account in the US. It used to be mine at first then I added her on the account shortly before we got married, now both of our names are on the account. Please note I do not have a US Social Security Number (I have never lived/worked in the US).

A joint bank account is a good sign of legitimate marriage but not sure how it'll play for tax filing purposes. 

 

Thanks in advance. 

Crazy Cat Grand Master

Crazy Cat   41,919

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

If married on the last day of a tax year, she must file as married for that tax year.....period.  Whether she wants to file as "married Filing Joint" or "Married Filing Separate" is a matter which requires more consideration...such as whether the foreign spouse has a US Social Security number/Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.  In addition, the foreign spouse's income could be a consideration when the decision of Married Filing Jointly or Married Filing Separately is made.

Edited by missileman

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

Crazy Cat Grand Master

Crazy Cat   41,919

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

What is the date of your marriage?

 

Edit to post above:  Some circumstances allow a person to file as "Head of Household" when married

Edited by missileman

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

Crazy Cat Grand Master

Crazy Cat   41,919

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
 Timeline
Posted
15 minutes ago, ykowalski said:

We got married in August of last year in Michigan. 

OK......My post above applies for her filing taxes for the 2018 tax year.  She can not file as single.

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

ykowalski Contributor

ykowalski   11

Posted
Timeline
  • Author
Posted
1 hour ago, missileman said:

OK......My post above applies for her filing taxes for the 2018 tax year.  She can not file as single.

Ok. Thank you. 

I'm not sure how filing in the US works, but when she files as married, I guess she would have to include my name, but I do not have a SSN number. I do have a job in Canada and I have an income, would I have to create an ITIN and would be considered as foreign income for her?

Crazy Cat Grand Master

Crazy Cat   41,919

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
 Timeline
Posted
11 minutes ago, ykowalski said:

Ok. Thank you. 

I'm not sure how filing in the US works, but when she files as married, I guess she would have to include my name, but I do not have a SSN number. I do have a job in Canada and I have an income, would I have to create an ITIN and would be considered as foreign income for her?

She could file "Married Filing Separately".......she would list your name......no SSN or ITIN required for you.  She would report only her income .......Once you are a resident of the US, then I suggest you consult a competent tax professional to determine the best tax strategy for your situation.  

 

If she opts to file "Married Filing Jointly", you would need a SSN or an ITIN.......

 

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...