I 864 - no ITIN yet; quickest way to file taxes?

[Kuegs 5]

Just wondering whether anyone has any input; here's our problem:

Husband (USC) didn't know he needed to file taxes even when living abroad and staying under the critical amount that gets taxed.

Now we received our packet 3 letter and need to get the documents, including the I 864, done ASAP, but on Turbotax we seem to need a SSN for me (the NRA and visa applicant) to be able to proceed.

Of course I don't have one yet (well, no US SSN...)

Does anyone know what would be the fastest and best way to get the taxes filed? Do we really already need the ITIN before doing so?

Any idea how long this all could take now?

Or are we doomed for a long delay?

Any help much appreciated - as I myself have zero knowledge about filing taxes.

Thanks!

[cl4677 3]

In order to get an ITIN, it's my understanding you need to complete form W7 and send that in with your return. They will then assign the number for the purpose of filing the return. It wasn't clear to me how to get one earlier.

[NikLR 13,220]

To file online you'd need an SSN or ITIN but if he paper files (sends the paperwork to the IRS via courier or postal mail) you can write NRA while filing MFS (married filing separately) and not worry about either of those things.

If he made under the threshold to file, period, he doesn't have to file taxes. If he made over the threshold to file but under the foreign exclusion amount he still has to file.

[Kuegs 5]

To file online you'd need an SSN or ITIN but if he paper files (sends the paperwork to the IRS via courier or postal mail) you can write NRA while filing MFS (married filing separately) and not worry about either of those things.

If he made under the threshold to file, period, he doesn't have to file taxes. If he made over the threshold to file but under the foreign exclusion amount he still has to file.

---

Oh, I see. Thank you. We might just tags to do it that way then. (Stupid question, but: where do you get the forms in paper? Can you print them?)

---

I think for 2013 he might actually be under the threshold, for the years after they, though, he's only under the foreign exclusion amount.

Thank you!

[NikLR 13,220]

probably the IRS website....

[Kuegs 5]

probably the IRS website....

---

Thanks! I'll check.

[Kuegs 5]

In order to get an ITIN, it's my understanding you need to complete form W7 and send that in with your return. They will then assign the number for the purpose of filing the return. It wasn't clear to me how to get one earlier.

---

Thank you. My husband just read that, too...

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

---

Thank you. My husband just read that, too...

You aren't filing a joint return so you don't need an ITIN or SSN. He has to name his wife for the record on his separate return but NRA written in works on a Married Filing Separate return to show you have no tax ID number. There is no benefit to thinking about a joint return in this scenario. His tax liability will be zero after the Foreign Income Exclusion (Form 2555EZ) and you can't reduce your taxes any lower than zero.

[Kuegs 5]

You aren't filing a joint return so you don't need an ITIN or SSN. He has to name his wife for the record on his separate return but NRA written in works on a Married Filing Separate return to show you have no tax ID number. There is no benefit to thinking about a joint return in this scenario. His tax liability will be zero after the Foreign Income Exclusion (Form 2555EZ) and you can't reduce your taxes any lower than zero.

---

Great advice, thanks so much! This is what we now did - or will be doing!

[Kuegs 5]

Now I'm wondering how long it's gonna take to receive anything "official" from the IRS.

Or could we just hand in the stuff we filled out?

Does anyone know?