Tax Question (No SSN)

[molehills 67]

1 minute ago, HappyHappyJoyJoy said:

When did you guys get married?  I’m assuming you were NOT allowed to file single due to the date or marriage?  Since we married prior to 12/31/2021, I have no choice right now but to file MFS or MFJ (best option / tax refund).  

Married July 7. 2021. Once you're married, you can't file as a single person. We're opting for MFJ for the tax benefits folks outlined in this thread. It's a massive difference. Almost makes up for one spouse not working, almost.

[Wuozopo 4,293]

39 minutes ago, molehills said:

I've seen some similar things on reddit as well, but I've been trying to do more thorough research because it seems pretty serious to not file taxes, and you know, strangers on the internet giving advice. 

Taxes have a deadline. If you don’t pay the IRS on time you get assessed a penalty that accrues from the filing deadline. It’s like a late fee/ interest your credit card charges if you don’t pay the bill on time. But if there is nothing you owe to the IRS, then no penalty/interest is assessed for filing late. You’re still late, but it doesn’t cost you any extra money. The proper way to do it is file for an extension, but you get by okay as long as you don’t owe them. 
 

Concerning the SSN. Some say they were able to get an appointment by giving the reason—-I need it to file taxes!

[Loren Y 2,755]

Just an option, you may want to reconsider H&R block. I know they are popular and have the advertisements, but in my opinion for the same money you can find a good CPA to do your taxes. They do taxes year round, and have a little more experience than the 2 weeks of training the employees get for H&R block. Just my 2 cents.

[molehills 67]

8 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

Taxes have a deadline. If you don’t pay the IRS on time you get assessed a penalty that accrues from the filing deadline. It’s like a late fee/ interest your credit card charges if you don’t pay the bill on time. But if there is nothing you owe to the IRS, then no penalty/interest is assessed for filing late. You’re still late, but it doesn’t cost you any extra money. The proper way to do it is file for an extension, but you get by okay as long as you don’t owe them. 
 

Concerning the SSN. Some say they were able to get an appointment by giving the reason—-I need it to file taxes!

That makes a lot of sense the way you framed it. 

 

When we did our appt. back in June, we were able to schedule, so our office was good on that part, but just messed the form.

[Wuozopo 4,293]

14 minutes ago, molehills said:

That makes a lot of sense the way you framed it. 

 

When we did our appt. back in June, we were able to schedule, so our office was good on that part, but just messed the form.

Just file the extension if the SSN doesn’t come through in the nick of time. Then you can still get the $1400 for your wife’s share of the third rebate if she has the SSN by October 15. It’s a credit on the 2021 return so $1400 more in refund to you.

 

And I  agree your Local H&R in the Walmart may not have a clue. Have you never filed your own taxes?

Edited February 16, 2022 by Wuozopo

[molehills 67]

1 minute ago, Wuozopo said:

Just file the extension if the SSN doesn’t come through in the nick of time. Then you can still get the $1400 for your wife’s share of the third rebate if she has the SSN by October 15. It’s a credit on the 2021 return so $1400 more in refund to you.

Wait what rebate? 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

2 minutes ago, molehills said:

Wait what rebate? 

Do you remember the government has paid out three rebates? Did you get money from the government three times?

[molehills 67]

Just now, Wuozopo said:

Do you remember the government has paid out three rebates? Did you get money from the government three times?

Are you talking about the stimulus payments? I know I got those, would my husband (the immigrant/LPR) be eligible for those even though he wasn't in the US until June 2021?

[Wuozopo 4,293]

1 minute ago, molehills said:

Are you talking about the stimulus payments? I know I got those, would my husband (the immigrant/LPR) be eligible for those even though he wasn't in the US until June 2021?

Yes the immigrant can collect the third stimulus ($1400) on the 2021 return as long as he has a SSN issued before filing deadline in April. OR if you file an extension, he has until the extension deadline (October 15) to be issued a SSN.

[HappyHappyJoyJoy 1]

30 minutes ago, Loren Y said:

Just an option, you may want to reconsider H&R block. I know they are popular and have the advertisements, but in my opinion for the same money you can find a good CPA to do your taxes. They do taxes year round, and have a little more experience than the 2 weeks of training the employees get for H&R block. Just my 2 cents.

Agreed.  Will do thanks !

[HappyHappyJoyJoy 1]

17 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

Just file the extension if the SSN doesn’t come through in the nick of time. Then you can still get the $1400 for your wife’s share of the third rebate if she has the SSN by October 15. It’s a credit on the 2021 return so $1400 more in refund to you.

 

And I  agree your Local H&R in the Walmart may not have a clue. Have you never filed your own taxes?

I have always done my own (using software tax methods), but right now, I am not able to since I can’t even start due to the SSN/ITIN feature of the spouse.  I plan to use a tax personnel just to be safe/right.  

[Wuozopo 4,293]

3 hours ago, HappyHappyJoyJoy said:

I have always done my own (using software tax methods), but right now, I am not able to since I can’t even start due to the SSN/ITIN feature of the spouse.  I plan to use a tax personnel just to be safe/right.  

 Do you mean an online tax program won’t move on until a SSN is entered? I use a computer installed TurboTax and you can do a whole return without entering a SSN. It will keep nagging you to enter it, but doesn’t stop you working on the return to the end.

[randy32 165]

3 hours ago, HappyHappyJoyJoy said:

I have always done my own (using software tax methods), but right now, I am not able to since I can’t even start due to the SSN/ITIN feature of the spouse.  I plan to use a tax personnel just to be safe/right.  

Get whichever software you normal use, fill it out and wait for the SSN.

If you have a refund coming, you don't even need to file for an extension unless you need that proof for something like AOS interview.

 

The main change in your return would be change in marital status.

Enjoy a higher refund this time. It is going to be smaller next year 😐

[HappyHappyJoyJoy 1]

1 hour ago, Wuozopo said:

 Do you mean an online tax program won’t move on until a SSN is entered? I use a computer installed TurboTax and you can do a whole return without entering a SSN. It will keep nagging you to enter it, but doesn’t stop you working on the return to the end.

Yea I’m going to try turbo.  H/R didn’t let me so. 

54 minutes ago, randy32 said:

Get whichever software you normal use, fill it out and wait for the SSN.

If you have a refund coming, you don't even need to file for an extension unless you need that proof for something like AOS interview.

 

The main change in your return would be change in marital status.

Enjoy a higher refund this time. It is going to be smaller next year 😐

Okay.  Thanks for the reply and input ! 

[iwannaplay54 985]

8 hours ago, HappyHappyJoyJoy said:

When did you guys get married?  I’m assuming you were NOT allowed to file single due to the date or marriage?  Since we married prior to 12/31/2021, I have no choice right now but to file MFS or MFJ (best option / tax refund).  

June of the previous year, arrived in Jan, had to file AOS, didnt get a SS number until August, then filed MFJ for the previous year (which she spent the entire time out of the country so it was all foreign earned income exclusion, physical presence test)