Taxes show single instead of married. About to start CEAC process. Help!

[melodey82 0]

Ok, so I received my NVC case number yesterday.  I read in a guide here that filing as single on your taxes when you are married can be considered a red flag. I filed as single because that's what the accountant told me. I am freaking out now cause I am about to started the CEAC process. My wife is in Mexico currently. I want to amend my taxes and I read about  IRS assigning her an ITIN. But the page indicates up to 7 weeks to receive the number. I don't want to delay this process almost 2 months more. Can I submit my taxes as they currently are, the request the ITIN and the ammendment of the taxes (2017 and 2018) and have my wife bring the amended taxes to the interview?  I am freaking out and sick to my stomach. 😞

[sherydenise 66]

NVC don't really care how you filed, just so long as you did file. Many file as single and have no issues.

[melodey82 0]

25 minutes ago, sherydenise said:

NVC don't really care how you filed, just so long as you did file. Many file as single and have no issues.

Ok, but what about the US Embassy?

[Roel 7,192]

You have to eventually amend your taxes no matter what.  I'd do it as soon  as possible. Taxes filled married are one of the best relationship proofs so make sure your wife brings the fixed taxes to the interview at least. 

[jealob 7]

1 hour ago, sherydenise said:

NVC don't really care how you filed, just so long as you did file. Many file as single and have no issues.

I think this is a pretty valid answer. 

My wife filed single, because of this same issue at the time.

2 hours ago, melodey82 said:

I want to amend my taxes and I read about  IRS assigning her an ITIN

and no one asked questions about that.  If add your wife is something you can do easily, you should go ahead and do it. If not you should worry too much about it as the embassy probably know this is not a trivial thing to do. Good luck 

[melodey82 0]

23 minutes ago, jealob said:

I think this is a pretty valid answer. 

My wife filed single, because of this same issue at the time.

and no one asked questions about that.  If add your wife is something you can do easily, you should go ahead and do it. If not you should worry too much about it as the embassy probably know this is not a trivial thing to do. Good luck 

Thank you! I will amend them nonetheless just in case they ask for it. 

[melodey82 0]

43 minutes ago, Roel said:

You have to eventually amend your taxes no matter what.  I'd do it as soon  as possible. Taxes filled married are one of the best relationship proofs so make sure your wife brings the fixed taxes to the interview at least. 

That's the plan, I was just worried that they would question me about why I didn't file them as married from the beginning. 

25 minutes ago, jealob said:

I think this is a pretty valid answer. 

My wife filed single, because of this same issue at the time.

and no one asked questions about that.  If add your wife is something you can do easily, you should go ahead and do it. If not you should worry too much about it as the embassy probably know this is not a trivial thing to do. Good luck 

May I ask what did they ask her? Did she get approved?

[carmel34 3,646]

Just file an amended 2018 tax return tomorrow as married filing separately, and upload a copy to CEAC website with your W2.  Put NRA (non resident alien) where it asks for your wife's SSN.  Filing as married jointly requires a W7 and verification of your wife's identity which could slow down the filing of the amended return.  You can do that later after she arrives in the US and has a SSN and most likely get a larger refund.  Good luck with the NVC stage of this long process!

[jealob 7]

13 hours ago, melodey82 said:

That's the plan, I was just worried that they would question me about why I didn't file them as married from the beginning. 

May I ask what did they ask her? Did she get approved?

No questions about tax return document. And yes I was approved. But individual case is unique.

[melodey82 0]

24 minutes ago, carmel34 said:

Just file an amended 2018 tax return tomorrow as married filing separately, and upload a copy to CEAC website with your W2.  Put NRA (non resident alien) where it asks for your wife's SSN.  Filing as married jointly requires a W7 and verification of your wife's identity which could slow down the filing of the amended return.  You can do that later after she arrives in the US and has a SSN and most likely get a larger refund.  Good luck with the NVC stage of this long process!

Thank you! I will do that. Thank you for your suggestion. It's way faster than going through the w7 process. 

 

Oh yes. Looking forward to completing this long process already.

2 minutes ago, jealob said:

No questions about tax return document. And yes I was approved. But individual case is unique.

Congrats