Hey guys,

I was wondering if anyone knows if I can apply for a ITIN (individual tax identification number) for my husband who's not in the US yet. I want to open a joint bank account with him here in the US. To show during the interview a joint account since we dont have one yet.

If anyone can help it would be great!

Thanks and good luck to all!

The short answer is "yes but probably no." Yes, because with his passport or a notarized copy, you can file your 2006 taxes jointly and enclose the ITIN application with the (signed by both of you) tax return. "But probably no" because the logistics of getting his passport, or notarized copy and his signature on a tax return conveniently enough to make it worth the trouble, is unlikely.

The good news is that nobody really expects husbands and wives who have never lived together in the USA to have joint US bank accounts. Other proof of bonafide relationship is far more common in these cases.

Jenna,

I had no problem getting my wife an ITIN and making her a joint owner of 2 of my bank accounts when she was still in her country waiting for my petitions to be approved. I did have her send me her passport, and we did send the bank's signature card back and forth, and the signature page of the 1040. There's nothing difficult about that.

Yodrak

You could file with the IRS for a ITIN for your joint taxes, but you do not need joint acounts for the visa. When you apply for the Lifting of Conditions I-751, you should have joint acounts.

Good luck.

No, there's nothing difficult about it, just logistically inconvenient. Since it is now already April 6, you would need to either file an extension or amend your return later when you have his ITIN. I would not have wanted to go the the expense and worry of mailing passports (in my case two because of daughter) between the US and China. I actually had the opportunity to bring them with me at the end of a visit and mail them back but chose to file an amended return after their arrival instead of risking the loss of passports. Actually, I used my 2005 tax return to fund my second trip to China. That could be a consideration too. I just filed as single, got my refund and amended the return later.

The bottom line is that it is doable but it's your own judgment call whether it is worth the trouble, since joint bank accounts are uncommon and unnecessary in circumstances like yours.

pushbrk,

Why the daughter? I didn't get an ITIN for my stepson at that time, only my wife. Since they were still living in their country I couldn't list him as a dependent anyway.

Agreed, the country involved and the reliability of the postal system or delivery services there could make a difference in the comfort level.

Yodrak

I didn't realize until after I made the decision that the stepdaughter wasn't elligible.