Typical refund timeline for first year w7 mfj

[Kyle6811 24]

I was wondering if anyone has an estimate of refund waiting time when you file your first mfj w7 return. Months a year? I’ve read that some people wait a year before it’s processed, trying to see if this is typical as we will need the money sooner than later.

 

Secondary question, I think somewhere I read it’s better to file mfj at minimum the first year but I can’t remember why.

 

thanks everyone!

[TVQT1993 20]

A W-7 is not a tax return, it is an application for an ITIN. When we did our Form 1040 tax return last year, it did not take any extra time to receive the refund. Timeline was:

 

1/23/2023: Mailed package to IRS ITIN processing center in Austin Texas via USPS certified mail. Package included Form 1040 married filing jointly (With my SSN as primary, and her SSN/ITIN field blank), a statement that we are making an election under IRC 6013(g) to treat my wife as a resident alien for the purpose of our U.S. tax return, Form W-7 applying for ITIN, and her foreign passport (to prove foreign status).

 

1/27/2023: Package received and signed for by IRS Austin.

 

3/8/2023: Received Notice CP565, dated 3/3, assigning my wife an ITIN.

 

3/13/2023: Received Notice 14433 Return of Documents and her passport back.

 

4/6/2023: IRS transcripts showed our Form 1040 was posted. Refund was approved and scheduled to go out on 4/13.

 

4/15/2023: Received refund check in the mail.

[top_secret 2,458]

Ours took 6 months from filing to return in 2021 which was about when they had the maximum backlog.  I would think it would be somewhat less today.  If you really need the return fast you could file MFS electronically and take whatever return you get quickly, and then turn around and file an amended return as MFJ with the W7 to get whatever additional return that would get you after the delay. 

[Kyle6811 24]

20 minutes ago, top_secret said:

Ours took 6 months from filing to return in 2021 which was about when they had the maximum backlog.  I would think it would be somewhat less today.  If you really need the return fast you could file MFS electronically and take whatever return you get quickly, and then turn around and file an amended return as MFJ with the W7 to get whatever additional return that would get you after the delay. 

That might be what we have to do.  Do I have to send in her passport or can I just send a copy of it?

[top_secret 2,458]

2 minutes ago, Kyle6811 said:

That might be what we have to do.  Do I have to send in her passport or can I just send a copy of it?

 

DO NOT send her actual passport during an ongoing immigration process.  It will disappear untraceably into an IRS black hole for an unspecified period of time until hopefully someday they sent it back.  You can send a copy of her passport that is certified by whatever agency issues passports in her country or use an acceptance agent in her country.  One or the other may be easier depending on the country.

[Kyle6811 24]

10 minutes ago, top_secret said:

 

DO NOT send her actual passport during an ongoing immigration process.  It will disappear untraceably into an IRS black hole for an unspecified period of time until hopefully someday they sent it back.  You can send a copy of her passport that is certified by whatever agency issues passports in her country or use an acceptance agent in her country.  One or the other may be easier depending on the country.

My thoughts exactly.