How to file income tax for 2014

[Walt35 0]

Hi everyone,

Income tax 2014 due soon. I still did not file. Since my wife is still abroad I don't have her SSN. Should I file as a single?

Should I file married jointly and use NRA ( Non Resident Alien ). In this situation I should have ITIN ( Individual Tax Identification Number) She can't apply for this number in Thailand. How did you solve this problem?

Thank you in advance for any advice, Walt

[Gorkhali 213]

Mfs married filing seperatly is ur option ... NRA is what u need to mention

we did manual filing and we already have transcript ... Good luck

[Lee 23 5]

If you are married and file seperately, you will pay more taxes.

So,

Applying for an extension.

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Extension-of-Time-To-File-Your-Tax-Return

Then apply for an ITIN from abroad

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/Obtaining-an-ITIN-from-Abroad

[Ryan H 3,790]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Tax & Finances During US Immigration forum.

[Moustafa/Crystal 65]

You can always amend your taxes once your spouse gets here and has a social security number. That is our plan. I filed married filing separately using NRA and sending them by mail rather than electronically.

[mrskvelasco 30]

You cannot file single. Either married filing jointly or separately. Since you're saying she can't get an ITIN number, then file MFS, and amend your returns when she arrives.

[j&ana 363]

you can filed married filing separate and write NRA in for ss number for her

In my case filing married separate had me owing to much taxes. So I filed the automatic 6 month extension and pay the taxes for filing jointly. Since my wife should be here and will be issue a ss number before the extension has expire. I will be to send in the tax return for married filing jointly with her number,

Edited April 10, 2015 by j&ana

[Walt35 0]

Hi everyone,

I would like to thank all who found the time to give me advice. All information I found useful. I'm not sure if I will file married jointly even if I decide extent my taxes. Yes, I avoid paying more taxes but I'm not sure how long it will take my wife to get visa.

I payed to NVC AOS and mailed already supporting documents, but I did not avoid mistakes. I did not mail my wife PCC since she did not have letter for Thai Royal Police to get PCC.

Now I know how to deal with this problem thanks to visa journey but I found out to late .

I expect to get from NVC note with missing document and this will delay my petition about another 60 days.

I'm also afraid that when she will finally go to interview in Bangkok they will not accept return 2013 and extension my taxes .

They will want 2014 return.

So I have only one option, file married separate with NRA and mail before April 15.

I wish you all good luck in your visa journey

Walt

[asisflyer 47]

1. Married filing separately with NRA spouse using "NRA" in lieu of SSN/ITIN is a paper-only filing (no electronic) --

and you cannot take an exemption for her. This mean 6 week transcript delay.

2. Married filing separate using ITIN or SSN or your NRA spouse - can be electronic and you can take exemption for her (IF she does not file her separate return)

if you're net income is low enough not to need the exemption - then the value is moreso the electronic filing capability for a 2-week week transcript availability.

if she has U.S. income above a threshold while non-resident then, she might have to file 1040NR ... presuming no U.S. income or US investment proceeds for her.

3. Elect for NRA as Resident for purposes of Married Filing Jointly. Need ITIN/SSN and then elect this treatment. Then her worldwide income hits your joint tax return ...

that being said, as a deemed resident alien she'll likely pass 330 day physical presence test and be able to exclude her foreign earned income off anyway.

If she makes good income in her home a or lot a unearned income (interest, dividends, etc) , the MFJ can backfire on you.

Also MFJ make her a U.S. person for the FBAR and this election would force you to file an FBAR on her if she has total non-US accounts over 10K USD at any time during year.

hope it helps

Edited April 11, 2015 by asisflyer

[Walt35 0]

Hi asisflyer,

Thanks for all info. I hope you know that getting ITIN living in some countries is almost impossible. To apply for ITIN in such situation you have to use agent and there is no agent in Thailand. Then even you fill out W-7 ( ITIN ) form you have to provide him passport or other 2 ID one with picture but certified. It is different story if your spouse lives in States or in Europe.

I wish this process was easier but for spouses living in Asia is much harder to accomplish.

So filling married jointly is out of question.

I'm also not worried about my wife's income( no income in US) and income in Thailand is so small that is not taxable.

Only one thing I'm concerned is my income that I may pay some taxes because it will be only single exemption.

When she comes here I will amend my income tax

[j&ana 363]

1. Married filing separately with NRA spouse using "NRA" in lieu of SSN/ITIN is a paper-only filing (no electronic) --

and you cannot take an exemption for her. This mean 6 week transcript delay.

2. Married filing separate using ITIN or SSN or your NRA spouse - can be electronic and you can take exemption for her (IF she does not file her separate return)

if you're net income is low enough not to need the exemption - then the value is moreso the electronic filing capability for a 2-week week transcript availability.

if she has U.S. income above a threshold while non-resident then, she might have to file 1040NR ... presuming no U.S. income or US investment proceeds for her.

3. Elect for NRA as Resident for purposes of Married Filing Jointly. Need ITIN/SSN and then elect this treatment. Then her worldwide income hits your joint tax return ...

that being said, as a deemed resident alien she'll likely pass 330 day physical presence test and be able to exclude her foreign earned income off anyway.

If she makes good income in her home a or lot a unearned income (interest, dividends, etc) , the MFJ can backfire on you.

Also MFJ make her a U.S. person for the FBAR and this election would force you to file an FBAR on her if she has total non-US accounts over 10K USD at any time during year.

hope it helps

The website tax act will let you do your taxes as filing married separate using NRA electronically

[Isabela 20]

you can filed married filing separate and write NRA in for ss number for her

In my case filing married separate had me owing to much taxes. So I filed the automatic 6 month extension and pay the taxes for filing jointly. Since my wife should be here and will be issue a ss number before the extension has expire. I will be to send in the tax return for married filing jointly with her number,

J&Ana,

Have you done the research to know that the Embassy will take the extension rather than insisting on the 2014 tax return?

I'm deciding between MFS, MFJ or a extension.

[j&ana 363]

I will know may 8th that is when my wife does her interview. I sent her all tbe aos stuff i sent in to the nvc. Then i also sent her the extension i file this year with all my w-2 and other forms that will be sent to the IRS

[Isabela 20]

I will know may 8th that is when my wife does her interview. I sent her all tbe aos stuff i sent in to the nvc. Then i also sent her the extension i file this year with all my w-2 and other forms that will be sent to the IRS

Good luck to you that's actually the day I'm arriving for a visit. Your NVC sure did go fast, hopefully they will accept the extension or it never comes up.