Im not sure anyone knows this but I wanted to see before I contact the IRS.
Last year I was married, but since my wife doesnt have a SS# I filed as single.
Is there a way I can go back and adjust that now or do I have to wait until she gets her Green card?

I'm no CPA but you should be able to file an amended return.

Does she have her social security number now?

What she needs is an ITIN number, you can request one through the IRS. The only bad thing that I see with ammending this year is that you will not qualify for the tax stimulus rebate because anyone who files single or jointly with a person with an ITIN is diqualified from receiving it. If that is not an issue for you, I would go ahead and do an ammended return and request and ITIN for your wife.

What happens if I already have received the Stimulus rebate and then request an ITIN number?
Im guessing I just wouldnt be able to ammend right?
I havent received the rebate yet but the website says Im scheduled to this week maybe...




No, not until she gets her Visa.

It doesn't matter then if you amend or not as far as the stimulus check goes. You are only going to get what you are eligible for now anyhow. Without the social security number, she is not eligible for the stimulus.

If you apply for her ITIN, you can amend your return to include your wife.

Not true... if you have a valid social but file jointly with a person without a vaild social (ITIN) then you and the other person are ineligible. No Stimulus package...

If you have already received your rebate, you would have to call the IRS about that, You will probably be able to request an ITIN for her, but probably not be able to ammend your tax return.

Do you have kids? Simply ammend to head of household. You wouldn't need a number from her and it wouldn't affect your rebate.

http://www.irs.gov/app/espc/start.do

Go to this link and it will let you know if you are eligible for the stimulus package...

I have wondered about this too. I was married in November, and I filed taxes as single. I am still listed as single.

I was told by someone in HR at work that I wouldn't add her to insurance etc. until she had her visa, and SS#. Until then, I should remain single.

I dont know if this is true or not, but I havent looked further into it.

You will need to amend your return. If you were married in November you must file as married (as married filing jointly or married filing separately). If she has no SS# you would need to follow the procedure to request an ITIN. Filing your taxes has nothing to do with how you are set up at work or whether or not you can add her to your insurance. You cannot file as single if you are not single.

As far as the stimulus check, you will need to contact the IRS. You might just have to declare it on next year's return, or it may depend on whether your wife will have her SS# by then, but they should hopefully be able to guide you on how to rectify that or you might check the FAQs on the irs.gov site. If it hasn't been submitted to you yet they might be able to cancel it if you contact them right away.

Also, once your wife obtains an ITIN it may be acceptable to your employer so you can add her to your insurance, etc. The number is formatted just like a SS# but you might explain it's an ITIN so they can confirm if it can be accepted. Each employer is different on how they handle that.

PJ

Thanks for the info. *sigh*, I guess I will have to look into changing last year's tax stuff. Don't want Uncle Sam tapping me on the shoulder.