How are you filing taxes this year?

[E_pluribus_unum 73]

Hey Guys,

 

So I am still waiting for biometrics for my spouse but it seems that we may not have anything until after taxes are due. I am hoping for sooner but preparing for delays. 

 

Since my spouse may not have an SSN when I file, I may have to file as married filing separately but would rather file jointly if possible. I looked at form W7 for applying for an ITIN and wondering if any of you have done this or plan to do this for your spouse? 

 

Filing separately has a lower standard deduction and means I wouldn't be able to claim certain credits. I used the IRS website to estimate and filing separately, I will receive a refund but I have received higher refunds in previous years filing single. The IRS tool shows that if we file jointly, I would get back a decent amount. 

 

Do you think it is worth the effort? Also, I have already spoken to the IRS and inquired as to how getting an ITIN would affect the immigration process and they stated that it wouldn't. When my spouse gets her SSN, we just notify them and that is it. 

 

[Crazy Cat 41,886]

***Moved to Tax and Finances During US Immigration****

[Chancy 6,241]

4 hours ago, E_pluribus_unum said:

Do you think it is worth the effort? Also, I have already spoken to the IRS and inquired as to how getting an ITIN would affect the immigration process and they stated that it wouldn't. When my spouse gets her SSN, we just notify them and that is it. 

 

Are you hoping to get a stimulus check?  Note that if you file jointly with your spouse using ITIN, you will not be eligible for a stimulus check.

 

Our plan for next year is for my USC spouse to file MFS, listing me as NRA.  Then once I get my SSN (could be in 2022), we will file an amended tax return to change our filing status to MFJ.

 

[E_pluribus_unum 73]

12 hours ago, Chancy said:

 

Are you hoping to get a stimulus check?  Note that if you file jointly with your spouse using ITIN, you will not be eligible for a stimulus check.

 

Our plan for next year is for my USC spouse to file MFS, listing me as NRA.  Then once I get my SSN (could be in 2022), we will file an amended tax return to change our filing status to MFJ.

 

I am going to get a stimulus check as I got the last one. The thing that sucks about these stimulus checks is that they go based on last years information.

 

I actually had not considered filing an amendment after the fact. I think I will actually just file that way this year. MFS and list my spouse as a NRA then just amend later on once she gets her SSN. Thank you for the tip. 

[pamala900 33]

19 hours ago, E_pluribus_unum said:

Hey Guys,

 

So I am still waiting for biometrics for my spouse but it seems that we may not have anything until after taxes are due. I am hoping for sooner but preparing for delays. 

 

Since my spouse may not have an SSN when I file, I may have to file as married filing separately but would rather file jointly if possible. I looked at form W7 for applying for an ITIN and wondering if any of you have done this or plan to do this for your spouse? 

 

Filing separately has a lower standard deduction and means I wouldn't be able to claim certain credits. I used the IRS website to estimate and filing separately, I will receive a refund but I have received higher refunds in previous years filing single. The IRS tool shows that if we file jointly, I would get back a decent amount. 

 

Do you think it is worth the effort? Also, I have already spoken to the IRS and inquired as to how getting an ITIN would affect the immigration process and they stated that it wouldn't. When my spouse gets her SSN, we just notify them and that is it. 

 

When I came to the USA on a K1 visa, got married within 90 days. It took me 2 years to file, because of his income not been enough to support me and we didn't want to involve our co-sponsor anymore. When it came to taxes I got a TIN number. We were able to file together and get a bigger refund. But if you are using a TIN number you have to go into a Tax office and get them to file for you, you cant do it by yourself online. Once I got a SSN, I started using that for the next tax year.  I also amended my taxes the year I didn't have the TIN. 

Edited December 22, 2020 by pamala900

[carmel34 3,633]

22 hours ago, E_pluribus_unum said:

Since my spouse may not have an SSN when I file, I may have to file as married filing separately but would rather file jointly if possible. I looked at form W7 for applying for an ITIN and wondering if any of you have done this or plan to do this for your spouse? 

We filed as married jointly when my husband was still in Brazil, no SSN, so we did the W7 and filed jointly to get a higher refund.  It was a hassle and you have to file the entire 1040 by paper with the W7 so it slows down the processing of the refund vs electronic filing.  Getting the W7 certified was also a little expensive, we did it at Heathrow Airport when we were visiting Europe together during the spousal visa process, using an approved acceptance agency in London who came to the airport before we boarded our flights back to the US and Brazil.  Good luck whichever way you decide to go!

[E_pluribus_unum 73]

Thank you guys for the great feedback. I think I will just file separately then amend later to file jointly because I was reading through the requirements of what needs to be mailed in for the ITIN and do not want to risk the paperwork taking too long to be returned and having to need it for the interview. Also, I hear a lot of people taking up to 5 months just to get it approved or that it is a hassle to get. 

 

Since taxes are due April 15, I will hold off on filing to see if we get biometrics and an SSN before then. If not, I will file then amend the return afterwards. 

[dopheretta 3]

Hi everyone! Do you know if I can file jointly next year, if I filed married filing separately this year?

[Ayrton 965]

1 hour ago, dopheretta said:

Hi everyone! Do you know if I can file jointly next year, if I filed married filing separately this year?

If you're still married, yeah.