ITIN without tax return??

[peanutismint 35]

Trying to set up a new bank account with my USC wife. They said I'd need an SSN but obviously as I'm in adjustment I don't have one/can't get one. They told me about an ITIN, but the website seems to suggest I'd need to apply for one whilst submitting a tax return? But I don't have any US income to declare yet???

[mich923 23]

11 minutes ago, peanutismint said:

Trying to set up a new bank account with my USC wife. They said I'd need an SSN but obviously as I'm in adjustment I don't have one/can't get one. They told me about an ITIN, but the website seems to suggest I'd need to apply for one whilst submitting a tax return? But I don't have any US income to declare yet???

You can only file for an ITIN when you file taxes. Your spouse can file for your taxes as joint, which include US income and foreign income.

[Crazy Cat 41,886]

9 minutes ago, mich923 said:

Your spouse can file for your taxes as joint, which include US income and foreign income.

To file a joint return, the foreign spouse must have an SSN or an ITIN.

Edited June 30, 2019 by missileman

[Crazy Cat 41,886]

12 minutes ago, mich923 said:

You can only file for an ITIN when you file taxes. Your spouse can file for your taxes as joint, which include US income and foreign income.

Some banks will allow opening of an account with a passport number........but not all.....you might have to search to find one which will.  

[mich923 23]

18 minutes ago, missileman said:

To file a joint return, the foreign spouse must have an SSN or an ITIN.

When filing the joint return, the form W-7 has to be attached to apply for ITIN. I attached a link from the IRS website. I've asked several banks if I could get a joint account, but they want him present at the time. 

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/nonresident-alien-spouse

[Highmystic 234]

1 hour ago, peanutismint said:

Trying to set up a new bank account with my USC wife. They said I'd need an SSN but obviously as I'm in adjustment I don't have one/can't get one. They told me about an ITIN, but the website seems to suggest I'd need to apply for one whilst submitting a tax return? But I don't have any US income to declare yet???

It was not a problem to get an SSN for my wife after we married.  We went down, waited for our number to be called, she showed her ID, Passport, Marriage License and notices from USCIS.  All they asked was which name did she want on it.  then got it in a week or so.  There was problems at my main bank, but I had  an account at one of those banks in Walmart.  It took awhile, but they got her added to the existing account.  Once she got her EAD and a State ID there was no problem after that.  You can however be added as beneficiary to any existing account.

[mich923 23]

45 minutes ago, missileman said:

To file a joint return, the foreign spouse must have an SSN or an ITIN.

Oh nevermind I didn't see he was in adjustment. I thought he was still abroad. My mistake

[Falcon Cara 378]

15 hours ago, missileman said:

Some banks will allow opening of an account with a passport number........but not all.....you might have to search to find one which will.  

Exactly

 

Per US Government you don't need ITIN or SSN to open an account, but it is basically the banks make their own policy

[Just Paul 4,595]

I added Mary to my checking at a regional bank right after we got married.  They required an Apostille of her passport bio pages.   OP I know you are already stateside but contact a few regional banks or credit unions.  I also added her to my credit union account and all they asked for was her passport bio and a photo id from the Philippines.

[peanutismint 35]

Thanks for all the responses - so let me see if I'm getting this right:

 

I can't get an ITIN until I file my taxes......but I can't file my taxes until I have an ITIN....?! 😄

 

But then somebody else is saying I can actually get a SSN now, even though I'm still in status adjustment period?? An SSN would make things easier......

 

The bank we're interested in have said a passport/visa documents wouldn't be enough but maybe if other banks are more lenient we could try them.... 

[junkmart 320]

On 6/29/2019 at 6:57 PM, peanutismint said:

Trying to set up a new bank account with my USC wife. They said I'd need an SSN but obviously as I'm in adjustment I don't have one/can't get one. They told me about an ITIN, but the website seems to suggest I'd need to apply for one whilst submitting a tax return? But I don't have any US income to declare yet???

Suggest trying other banks. We were able to open accounts during AOS with just a passport.