How do I file for an extension when my wife does not have a social?

[patis 18]

My wife is waiting for her SSN after we submitted for the AOS back in October 2020. She still does not have a SSN and I am working of filing my taxes now. I know I will have to file an extension. 

 

Turbotax will let me file an extension as a single person with my own SSN. However when I state that I am married it asks for my wife's SSN which she does not have. 

 

My question is can I just file for the extension as a single person, and then go back and file jointly when my wife gets her SSN later on this year. I'm trying to safe myself the headache of getting an ITIN

[JeanneAdil 6,498]

if you were married in 2020 , you can not file as single

And as reported on news all returns now are slowed down while IRS works on the stimulus checks 

so,  file a paper extension or file getting the ITIN and forget turbo tax now as it's not going to speed anything up

but you're not single

[patis 18]

3 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

if you were married in 2020 , you can not file as single

And as reported on news all returns now are slowed down while IRS works on the stimulus checks 

so,  file a paper extension or file getting the ITIN and forget turbo tax now as it's not going to speed anything up

but you're not single

I found this on the IRS site. I won't be filing as single, but I'm wondering if I can just file the 4868 extension as single, then later file joint. 

 

If you and your spouse each filed a separate Form 4868 but later file a joint return for 2020, enter the total paid with both Forms 4868 on the appropriate line of your joint return. If you and your spouse jointly file Form 4868 but later file separate returns for 2020, you can enter the total amount paid with Form 4868 on either of your separate returns. Or you and your spouse can divide the payment in any agreed amounts.

 

Unless I am reading this wrong it looks like you can file an extension single and then later file your taxes jointly. 

[Nitas_man 3,100]

7 minutes ago, patis said:

I found this on the IRS site. I won't be filing as single, but I'm wondering if I can just file the 4868 extension as single, then later file joint. 

 

If you and your spouse each filed a separate Form 4868 but later file a joint return for 2020, enter the total paid with both Forms 4868 on the appropriate line of your joint return. If you and your spouse jointly file Form 4868 but later file separate returns for 2020, you can enter the total amount paid with Form 4868 on either of your separate returns. Or you and your spouse can divide the payment in any agreed amounts.

 

Unless I am reading this wrong it looks like you can file an extension single and then later file your taxes jointly. 

Do you owe filing MFJ?

[patis 18]

4 minutes ago, Nitas_man said:

Do you owe filing MFJ?

I would not owe either way I file. Single or joint

[Nitas_man 3,100]

3 minutes ago, patis said:

I would not owe either way I file. Single or joint

I didnt file til August our first year.  No late penalty (or any penalty) if you dont owe.  Arrived late jan, applied for EAD, had to wait for EAD then get SS it took 7 months.

Edited March 17, 2021 by Nitas_man

[patis 18]

Just now, Nitas_man said:

I didnt file til August our first year.  No late penalty (or any penalty) if you dont owe 

But don't you need to have it completed by April 15th? Otherwise you need to file an extension

[Nitas_man 3,100]

2 minutes ago, patis said:

But don't you need to have it completed by April 15th? Otherwise you need to file an extension

Actually you dont.  Look it up.

 

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-news/fs-08-12.pdf

 

 

Edited March 17, 2021 by Nitas_man

[patis 18]

43 minutes ago, Nitas_man said:

Actually you dont.  Look it up.

 

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-news/fs-08-12.pdf

 

 

I never knew that was the case. It looks like you are still eligible for a refund if you do this also. We might end up doing this since we do not owe

[Nitas_man 3,100]

3 hours ago, patis said:

I never knew that was the case. It looks like you are still eligible for a refund if you do this also. We might end up doing this since we do not owe

I got mine when I filed late.  Filed online

[Wuozopo 4,293]

11 hours ago, patis said:

My wife is waiting for her SSN after we submitted for the AOS back in October 2020. She still does not have a SSN and I am working of filing my taxes now. I know I will have to file an extension. 

 

Turbotax will let me file an extension as a single person with my own SSN. However when I state that I am married it asks for my wife's SSN which she does not have. 

 

My question is can I just file for the extension as a single person, and then go back and file jointly when my wife gets her SSN later on this year. I'm trying to safe myself the headache of getting an ITIN

Just a little info.
The filing deadline has been moved by the IRS to May 17. (Those in OK, TX, and LA who were affected by the winter storms and declared disaster areas have until June 15.)

 

Your keep using the term filing single when I think you mean filing separately, which is for married people who don’t file jointly.

 

Did you file for work authorization along with filing for AOS? If that gets approved, she can get a SSN. 

[patis 18]

1 hour ago, Wuozopo said:

Just a little info.
The filing deadline has been moved by the IRS to May 17. (Those in OK, TX, and LA who were affected by the winter storms and declared disaster areas have until June 15.)

 

Your keep using the term filing single when I think you mean filing separately, which is for married people who don’t file jointly.

 

Did you file for work authorization along with filing for AOS? If that gets approved, she can get a SSN. 

We did file for the work authorization. We're hoping her SSN is just a couple more months away. That is why I was hoping to be able to file a late return and just be able to file a simple joint tax return. 

 

According to the other poster the deadline is only for those who owe taxes. Since I won't owe either way, I think we might just wait till after the deadline to file and hopefully still get the refund