What is the best way to organize finances together when spouse is still not in the US?

[CinderSoul 4]

Hi everyone,

 

I've been trying to look for any answers related to this, but I'm feeling pretty stumped. For context, my spouse is not in the US right now, and we have a CR1 application ongoing so we can start living together, in which I'm the sponsor. In the meantime, we really want to find ways to save money, and have some sort of centralized checking or savings account. Right now, we send each other money through PayPal, and we end up spending a lot on extra fees. I feel like there's gotta be a better way to do this. If we could have a joint account or something, that would make it easier for us to avoid the extra hassle, while also helping us prove our commitment and avoid possible RFEs. The trick part is, everywhere I look, it seems like my spouse would require either an SSN, TIN, or to be physically present in the US in order to open any account. Right now, he only has a tourist Visa and a passport, nothing else. Is there really no way to make this work? I would really appreciate some advice, thanks!

[Crazy Cat 43,327]

1.  Married couples living in different parts of the world are not expected to have a lot of combined finances.  The best evidence is that of time actually spent together.

2.  If you are paying Paypal fees, you are doing it wrong.  There is a friends and family method which results in no fees....other than maybe foreign exchange fees.

Edited April 13 by Crazy Cat

[CinderSoul 4]

1 hour ago, Crazy Cat said:

1.  Married couples living in different parts of the world are not expected to have a lot of combined finances.  The best evidence is that of time actually spent together.

2.  If you are paying Paypal fees, you are doing it wrong.  There is a friends and family method which results in no fees....other than maybe foreign exchange fees.

 

Just looked into PayPal, sadly doesn't seem it's possible because his account is Brazilian, so the Friends and Family option is not available... 

[JeanneAdil 6,855]

You missed the biggest  help with your finances and combining financial info when you did not file MFJ and filing out the W7 for the ITIN when filing tax returns

your standard deduction would have doubled

Have him do the W7 form while he is here/ get a POA filled out so you can do business for him 

 

 

For 2025, the standard deduction amount has been increased for all filers, and the amounts are as follows. Single or Married Filing Separately—$15,000. Married Filing Jointly or Qualifying Surviving Spouse—$30,000. 

 

you can correct this by filing a 1040x to amend the tax return

your spouse will need to fill out the W7 and you should get a POA from spouse to sign your new 1040x

BTW this does take time in IRS hands but worth it

with the ITIN and a POA for you to do banking and other documents by you, u can add her to bank account

no debit card available till he is in the US but the double tax deduction is worth all this

 

BTW if he has earnings in Brazil,  fill out the 2555 to exclude the yearly allowed 

The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) allows qualifying U.S. taxpayers to exclude up to $130,000 of foreign-earned income from U.S. federal income tax (2025).Feb 5, 2025

Edited April 14 by JeanneAdil

[CinderSoul 4]

23 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

You missed the biggest  help with your finances and combining financial info when you did not file MFJ and filing out the W7 for the ITIN when filing tax returns

your standard deduction would have doubled

Have him do the W7 form while he is here/ get a POA filled out so you can do business for him 

 

 

For 2025, the standard deduction amount has been increased for all filers, and the amounts are as follows. Single or Married Filing Separately—$15,000. Married Filing Jointly or Qualifying Surviving Spouse—$30,000. 

 

you can correct this by filing a 1040x to amend the tax return

your spouse will need to fill out the W7 and you should get a POA from spouse to sign your new 1040x

BTW this does take time in IRS hands but worth it

with the ITIN and a POA for you to do banking and other documents by you, u can add her to bank account

no debit card available till he is in the US but the double tax deduction is worth all this

 

BTW if he has earnings in Brazil,  fill out the 2555 to exclude the yearly allowed 

The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) allows qualifying U.S. taxpayers to exclude up to $130,000 of foreign-earned income from U.S. federal income tax (2025).Feb 5, 2025

 

I apologize in advance because I'm not the most well-versed in the tax world, so all of this is very confusing to me. So your recommendation is, I fill up a POA form so I can work on the W7 form on my spouse's behalf, so they can get an ITIN? And with that, we can move forward with having a joint account together?

[appleblossom 3,765]

2 minutes ago, CinderSoul said:

 

I apologize in advance because I'm not the most well-versed in the tax world, so all of this is very confusing to me. So your recommendation is, I fill up a POA form so I can work on the W7 form on my spouse's behalf, so they can get an ITIN? And with that, we can move forward with having a joint account together?

Why do you think you need a joint account? Just wait until he’s here for that, as said above you don’t need that kind of evidence, USCIS understands that most people living in different countries won’t have combined finances. 
 

But you can look in to it for tax savings. 

[OldUser 8,787]

8 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

Why do you think you need a joint account?

 

 

Part of the reason I think OP pays PayPal fees.

But most banks would have some fees for foreign transactions / cash withdrawals overseas. So you'd save some fees on sending money, but would pay other fees elsewhere.

[CinderSoul 4]

2 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

Why do you think you need a joint account? Just wait until he’s here for that, as said above you don’t need that kind of evidence, USCIS understands that most people living in different countries won’t have combined finances. 
 

But you can look in to it for tax savings. 

 

Mostly for safeguarding, really. The l-130 is estimated to take 19 months already, so if there is anything we could do to prevent any RFE and risk extending the waiting time even further, it would be great, plus I hear that proving financial commitment serves as solid evidence... or maybe I'm overthinking things and it's fine to just wait... 

[Coco8 1,049]

You could get them a credit card extension and give it to them when you see each other (or maybe mail it)? I got a credit card on my dad's name that's an extension of mine and he can use it for stuff back home. I only had to call my bank (bank of america) and we did everything on the phone. They only needed his name.

[P3ACHY 26]

I think you guys will be okay without showing proof of co-mingling.

 

My husband and I have been living abroad together for the past two years, and we haven't co-mingled our finances at all. It’ll just be easier to open joint accounts and take care of all that once we’re in the U.S. All our leases were in his name only too. So I didn't really even have "proof" we were living together.

 

Our I-130 was approved with no RFEs.

 

It's good proof, but there's married couples in the US who don't co-mingle finances because it's also a personal choice.

[OldUser 8,787]

7 hours ago, P3ACHY said:

but there's married couples in the US who don't co-mingle finances because it's also a personal choice.

And this can be an issue for USCIS... Financial comingling is highly recommended once living together in the US.

[P3ACHY 26]

45 minutes ago, OldUser said:

And this can be an issue for USCIS... Financial comingling is highly recommended once living together in the US.

That's good to know, thank you!

[Tesco 93]

Wise is excellent for international money transfer. They do have borderless accounts in some countries.

[TexasRafael 155]

As stated before you do not have to have any proof of comingled finances if you are not living in the same country.  As fees are concerned, there are many money transfer services that have either no fees or small fees like 3.00 to send money overseas.  If you want a list of them send me a message. 

[mam521 2,398]

@CinderSoul & @Coco8, please do the community a favor and fill out your timelines.  

 

I don't know if you're Apple users and if the fees are any less?  Hubs used to send money to me that way - Apple Pay. 

 

Wise is another low fee way and it's pretty easy to use.  

 

Hubs and only have one shared credit card.  The rest of our finances are separate.  We are, however, listed as beneficiaries on pension and retirement accounts, life insurance and other accounts that aren't so easy to change a beneficiary on.  We had shared vehicle insurance and house insurance. We had no issues with USCIS or DoS. 

 

Due to your awareness, I suspect you'll find ways that will be sufficient proof once you're together.  Until then, don't stress!