Catch 22 - 2015 Tax Return

[GaryFunk 7]

I received an email this morning stating I have missing Financial Evidence and I will need to send these documents to the principal applicant. It states I am missing my 2015 IRS transcript. This is a Catch 22.

I can't get an IRS transcript until I file a 2015 tax return.

I can't file a 2015 tax return until my wife gets a SSN.

She can't get a SSN until she comes to the US.

She can't come to the US until she gets a Visa.

She can't get a Visa until she has the interview.

Has anyone else run into this problem?

In the mean time, I have asked my accountant to provide me with a hard copy of the return to be filed, a letter from her and the IRS explaining why it has not been filed.

Gary

Our Crazy US Government at work.

[teddy k 35]

Hi Gary, you could of applied for an itin from the IRS for you Wife that way your could of had a temporary ID# to file your taxes like I did for my wife

[GaryFunk 7]

If I had been told that before hand I would have. If USCIS and NVC had not wasted 4 months it would not have been a problem. And what I could have done is not a helpful answer.

Thank you for responding,

[HoosierEh 21]

The IRS was very helpful and I had called them from Canada a couple of times with questions. I have successfully and with ease filed U.S taxes with my husband.

Make sure your wife has a valid passport.

She will need to send a certified copy of the passport to the IRS. The passport has to be valid for 6 months beyond the application date.

Depending where she is from, North American countries have differently negotiated legal treaties than others.

I would give them a call. Take good notes and be magnanimous ... it's quite an impressive opportunity they give us. The option to file with our U.S spouses.

[EM_Vandaveer 2,369]

Why can't you file your taxes Married Filing Separately and put NRA for non-resident alien at the place where it asks for her SSN?

Once she comes to the US and gets her SSN you can amend your taxes to Married Filing Jointly.

[Boiler 43,436]

Surprised your Accountant did not mention it.

[GaryFunk 7]

The IRS was very helpful and I had called them from Canada a couple of times with questions. I have successfully and with ease filed U.S taxes with my husband.

Make sure your wife has a valid passport.

She will need to send a certified copy of the passport to the IRS. The passport has to be valid for 6 months beyond the application date.

Depending where she is from, North American countries have differently negotiated legal treaties than others.

I would give them a call. Take good notes and be magnanimous ... it's quite an impressive opportunity they give us. The option to file with our U.S spouses.

Thank you for the suggestions. She's getting a certified copy and will get it to me in a few a few hours. I'm going to visit my accountant tomorrow and get this settled.

Why can't you file your taxes Married Filing Separately and put NRA for non-resident alien at the place where it asks for her SSN?

Once she comes to the US and gets her SSN you can amend your taxes to Married Filing Jointly.

That's a great idea. No need for them to keep my $13,000 any longer than necessary.

Surprised your Accountant did not mention it.

Me too. This is the first year with her. My former accountant retired last year and he turned over his clients to her. I have to wonder if she only got some.

I want to say thanks to everyone for responding and giving me some great suggestions. If I have to I'll have her passport picked up and brought to me,

Edited December 16, 2016 by GaryFunk

[Chardon Ne' 71]

You can file your taxes now and amend them once she gets her social security number.

[kzielu 1,147]

I received an email this morning stating I have missing Financial Evidence and I will need to send these documents to the principal applicant. It states I am missing my 2015 IRS transcript. This is a Catch 22.

I can't get an IRS transcript until I file a 2015 tax return.

I can't file a 2015 tax return until my wife gets a SSN.

She can't get a SSN until she comes to the US.

She can't come to the US until she gets a Visa.

She can't get a Visa until she has the interview.

Has anyone else run into this problem?

In the mean time, I have asked my accountant to provide me with a hard copy of the return to be filed, a letter from her and the IRS explaining why it has not been filed.

Gary

Our Crazy US Government at work.

Weren't you supposed to file 2015 tax return back in April ??? (+ see all the other advice how to file it without spouse's SSN)

[Chardon Ne' 71]

Weren't you supposed to file 2015 tax return back in April ??? (+ see all the other advice how to file it without spouse's SSN)

Typically yes but it is no big deal if you dont unless you owe then they will enforce penalties. If you were due a refund, then its just a late return which costs more to file, maybe with a penalty. You can file up to 3 years at once during the tax season.

[Kastrs 723]

Thank you for the suggestions. She's getting a certified copy and will get it to me in a few a few hours. I'm going to visit my accountant tomorrow and get this settled.

That's a great idea. No need for them to keep my $13,000 any longer than necessary.

Me too. This is the first year with her. My former accountant retired last year and he turned over his clients to her. I have to wonder if she only got some.

I want to say thanks to everyone for responding and giving me some great suggestions. If I have to I'll have her passport picked up and brought to me,

Either you need to print and file your return with NRA in your wifes ss spot as suggested or you will need to apply for an ITIN with your return

sending you a certified copy of her passport will do nothing to help you as in order to use it to apply for the itin she needs to get it certified by an accepted notary in her country along with the itin form

[Chardon Ne' 71]

Either you need to print and file your return with NRA in your wifes ss spot as suggested or you will need to apply for an ITIN with your return

sending you a certified copy of her passport will do nothing to help you as in order to use it to apply for the itin she needs to get it certified by an accepted notary in her country along with the itin form

Actually she would have to send the actual passport...

[B2AOS 2]

Actually she would have to send the actual passport...

That is what I had to do. We got an "RFE" from the IRS for not sending the original passport.

[GaryFunk 7]

Weren't you supposed to file 2015 tax return back in April ??? (+ see all the other advice how to file it without spouse's SSN)

No.

[Kastrs 723]

Actually she would have to send the actual passport...

No she does not as long as it is notarized along with the itin application at an IRS accepted location (which is typically the in country US embassy and perhaps one other location)

That is the process I did (got the passport notarized) and we had no problems getting the itin

For further information on getting the passport notarized, please refer to IRS guidelines

That is what I had to do. We got an "RFE" from the IRS for not sending the original passport.

you will get an RFE if you either

A- do not send the passport

or

B- provide the passport along with application notarized from an IRS accepted notary (typically can be done at the USEM)