Filing U.S. 2018 taxes- no ITIN (Individual Tax ID Number)

[Kpone 0]

Hello all,

I am currently trying to file my 2018 taxes on income earned exclusively in Japan via TurboTax. 

Both my wife and I have been living in Japan earning JPyen only and Japan is our "tax home"... but in order to e-file my taxes, I need to enter either a SSN or and ITIN number for my wife even though we would file separately. 

 

The application for ITIN takes 7 weeks, and won't be provided in time to e-file my taxes. 

Does anyone have a similar experience? Obtaining an ITIN in a foreign country? 

 

My other option is filing 2018 taxes by paper without an ITIN number, but I'm concerned about the taxes being filed in time. 

I'm wondering if I could Streamline File for 2018 given the circumstances.

 

Any help is greatly appreciated! 

 

[nastra30 2,304]

I assume your wife is not a US citizen (but a non-resident) that's why she doesn't have SSN? And for US tax purposes you want to consider her as a 'US resident for US tax purposes? Correct?

 

1. You won't be able to e-file because wife doesn't have SSN/ITIN. You have to paper file.

2. One filing option for you is Married Filing Separate (MFS). Just put NRA (non-resident alien) under your wife's SSN. With this option, it isn't necessary to get ITIN for your wife. But if she still wants to she can file W-7 at a later time/any time. Unfortunately, you won't be to e-file in subsequent years until she has SSN/ITIN.

3. Another option is to file Married Filing Jointly (MFJ). Put NRA or ITIN requested under SSN. Since you'll be filling jointly, you'll have to submit ITIN request form W-7 concurrently with your tax return. IRS will issue ITIN and process your tax return at the same time.

4. Since you are a US citizen living abroad you get 2 months automatic extension to file your taxes. So your deadline will be June 15th. However, you must pay IRS any taxes owned by April 15th or you'll be slapped with interest until it's paid. https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/taxpayers-living-abroad

5. If you are concerned about not mailing on time then here's the general rule from IRS: "Your return is considered filed on time if the envelope is properly addressed, has enough postage, is postmarked, and is deposited in the mail by the due date." https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc301

6. You can submit ITIN W-7 abroad through a Certifying Acceptance Agent. https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/obtaining-an-itin-from-abroad

Browse the IRS site and read W-7 instructions for more details.

6. Don't forget FBAR filing.

Edited March 30, 2019 by nastra30

[millefleur 5,047]

**Moved from DCF to Tax & Finances During US Immigration; OP may get quicker answers there**

[Kpone 0]

20 hours ago, nastra30 said:

I assume your wife is not a US citizen (but a non-resident) that's why she doesn't have SSN? And for US tax purposes you want to consider her as a 'US resident for US tax purposes? Correct?

 

1. You won't be able to e-file because wife doesn't have SSN/ITIN. You have to paper file.

2. One filing option for you is Married Filing Separate (MFS). Just put NRA (non-resident alien) under your wife's SSN. With this option, it isn't necessary to get ITIN for your wife. But if she still wants to she can file W-7 at a later time/any time. Unfortunately, you won't be to e-file in subsequent years until she has SSN/ITIN.

3. Another option is to file Married Filing Jointly (MFJ). Put NRA or ITIN requested under SSN. Since you'll be filling jointly, you'll have to submit ITIN request form W-7 concurrently with your tax return. IRS will issue ITIN and process your tax return at the same time.

4. Since you are a US citizen living abroad you get 2 months automatic extension to file your taxes. So your deadline will be June 15th. However, you must pay IRS any taxes owned by April 15th or you'll be slapped with interest until it's paid. https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/taxpayers-living-abroad

5. If you are concerned about not mailing on time then here's the general rule from IRS: "Your return is considered filed on time if the envelope is properly addressed, has enough postage, is postmarked, and is deposited in the mail by the due date." https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc301

6. You can submit ITIN W-7 abroad through a Certifying Acceptance Agent. https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/obtaining-an-itin-from-abroad

Browse the IRS site and read W-7 instructions for more details.

6. Don't forget FBAR filing.

Thank you for this helpful info! 

I realize I have to do a paper file without an ITIN. I plan to file MFS, but I still won't be able to e-file I suppose. 

I posted this in the DCF forum because I am worried about the timeline. 

 

I only need to submit the I-130 for my interview, and then my wife will submit the i-864 at her interview at the embassy...

I assume the US tax returns and joint sponsor's are required only for filing the i-864, but if I paper file my 2018 taxes, it will take a long time to process with the IRS...

 

Does anyone have information about delayed beneficiary interview due to i-864 preparation delays? 

 

Many many thanks in advance!