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hpizzle

Can I wait until my spouse is in the USA before filing 2018 taxes?

By hpizzle in Tax & Finances During US Immigration

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Crazy Cat
Crazy Cat

You can file "Married Filing Separately" now by writing "NRA" in spouse SSN area......and mailing it.........then you can amend your taxes later....just one idea.

Crazy Cat
Crazy Cat

IRS Publication 17 specifically states to write "NRA" in the spouse's SSN field....when filing MFS & spouse does not have a SSN/ITIN.... They will reject it if you try to e-file.......you must mai

payxibka
payxibka

Not without an SSN for the alien spouse

salhasl Enthusiast

salhasl   113

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2 hours ago, missileman said:

You can also use Turbo Tax like I did for 2015 & 2016:

1.  Select "Married-Filing Separately".....enter 999-99-9999 as spouse's SSN

2.  Prepare taxes as normal.

3.  Print hard copy of 1040, etc.

4.  Use whiteout to "erase" spouse SSN.

5.  Hand-write "NRA" in spouse SSN area.

6.  Mail return to IRS.

 

Simple procedure, but worked perfectly.

Thanks missileman, this is very helpful.

 

Is it possible to later on amend this return to "Married Filing Jointly" - assuming she is here next year (or 2021)?

 

The goal is to avoid the hassle of ITIN and still be able to reduce tax liability. 

Edited by salhasl
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Crazy Cat Grand Master

Crazy Cat   41,857

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8 minutes ago, salhasl said:

Is it possible to later on amend this return to "Married Filing Jointly" - assuming she is here next year (or 2021)?

Yes

"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.. 
 

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salhasl Enthusiast

salhasl   113

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7 minutes ago, ABHM said:

Is it a problem if you file as single and have it amended when spouse is here. My tax preparer said it is ok to file as a single if your spouse is not here. Further, does the filing status matter when NVC reviews the tax transcripts, if you have declared yourself as single.

Do not file as single. My lawyer as advised so. If you are married you cannot file as single.

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Crazy Cat Grand Master

Crazy Cat   41,857

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9 minutes ago, ABHM said:

Is it a problem if you file as single and have it amended when spouse is here. My tax preparer said it is ok to file as a single if your spouse is not here. Further, does the filing status matter when NVC reviews the tax transcripts, if you have declared yourself as single.

Your tax person is 100% wrong....You can never legally file as single if you were married on Dec 31st of a tax year.

"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.. 
 

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Daisy.Chain Rising Star

Daisy.Chain   317

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23 hours ago, hpizzle said:

I would like to avoid having to send paperwork to her for signatures. 

Finish everything but the signatures, scan her a copy and have her Fedex it back to you. Way less money and stress!

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payxibka Grand Master

payxibka   10,045

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1 hour ago, Diane and Chris said:

Why wait?  You can e-file and do electronic signatures. Very simple. 

Not without an SSN for the alien spouse

YMMV

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salhasl Enthusiast

salhasl   113

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2 hours ago, Diane and Chris said:

Why wait?  You can e-file and do electronic signatures. Very simple. 

 

35 minutes ago, Daisy.Chain said:

Finish everything but the signatures, scan her a copy and have her Fedex it back to you. Way less money and stress!

Why would you need the spouses signatures if you are married filing separately? 

 

 

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salhasl Enthusiast

salhasl   113

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5 hours ago, missileman said:

You can also use Turbo Tax like I did for 2015 & 2016:

1.  Select "Married-Filing Separately".....enter 999-99-9999 as spouse's SSN

2.  Prepare taxes as normal.

3.  Print hard copy of 1040, etc.

4.  Use whiteout to "erase" spouse SSN.

5.  Hand-write "NRA" in spouse SSN area.

6.  Mail return to IRS.

 

Simple procedure, but worked perfectly.

Hi missileman, when you filed this, did you have to get your spouse to sign anything? 

 

 

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payxibka Grand Master

payxibka   10,045

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2 minutes ago, salhasl said:

Hi missileman, when you filed this, did you have to get your spouse to sign anything? 

 

 

No spousal signature required because the spouse is not a party to the filing 

YMMV

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Crazy Cat Grand Master

Crazy Cat   41,857

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3 minutes ago, salhasl said:

Hi missileman, when you filed this, did you have to get your spouse to sign anything? 

 

 

No.......not when filing separately.....

"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.. 
 

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Daisy.Chain Rising Star

Daisy.Chain   317

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Dominican Republic
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6 hours ago, payxibka said:

No spousal signature required because the spouse is not a party to the filing 

OP wrote "I would like to avoid having to send paperwork to her for signatures". 

I can't speak to taxes too much - we've only done married filing jointly-  but if the signature part is a problem, scanning the document to her and having her fedex it back will take care of the headache.

Edited by Daisy.Chain
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