TAX Time in USA

[Aimee and Albert 0]

Hi to all IR-1/CR-1 Visajourney fellows ,

Since my wife and I got married in the Philippines in 2008, do I file my taxes with my marital status as "married?"

Or do I wait and still file as "single" until she is finally here with me in the USA, and she has obtained a Social Security Number?

Thanks so much...

I hope all your endeavors to get your loved ones here to the USA are all going smoothly.

[dale_trisha 3]

You need to file as married since you are married. She does not need a SSN. She needs to get a ITIN.This is done through a W-7. Also check out IRS Pub 519 if you want to claim her as a resident for the fully year.

[payxibka 10,044]

Hi to all IR-1/CR-1 Visajourney fellows ,

Since my wife and I got married in the Philippines in 2008, do I file my taxes with my marital status as "married?"

Or do I wait and still file as "single" until she is finally here with me in the USA, and she has obtained a Social Security Number?

Thanks so much...

I hope all your endeavors to get your loved ones here to the USA are all going smoothly.

your filing status is based on your marital status as of the last day of the tax year

[don and jen 0]

Good info. I will be doing this too. Thank guys your willingness to respond and participate on this site sure makes life easier.

don

[jamster0105 7]

I had some comfussion on this part here. I filed my taxes for 2008 through H & R block online and it WOULD NOT let me file as married without a SS number for my wife. I went ahead and read the footnotes and it told me I would have to file single since she does not have an SS number. I hope this will not cause for any delays when I submite the I-864 AOS form.

Others on here say I don't have to submit my 2008 taxes if I am sending in my AOS before April (I can submit 2007)......I am a little confused here...I hope someone can give me insight so that I do not have any delays....thank you

Edited February 13, 2009 by jamster0105

[US math guy 0]

Hi to all IR-1/CR-1 Visajourney fellows ,

Since my wife and I got married in the Philippines in 2008, do I file my taxes with my marital status as "married?"

Or do I wait and still file as "single" until she is finally here with me in the USA, and she has obtained a Social Security Number?

Thanks so much...

I hope all your endeavors to get your loved ones here to the USA are all going smoothly.

your filing status is based on your marital status as of the last day of the tax year

[US math guy 0]

My understanding from Pub. 519 is that if you are married to a foreign national as of the end of the tax year, you must use filing status married filing separately or joint filing status. For the second status, you must attach an agreement that you are wiling to be taxed on your combined worldwide income, as if your spouse had been a resident with for you the entire year.

[Arun+Catie 1]

Hi to all IR-1/CR-1 Visajourney fellows ,

Since my wife and I got married in the Philippines in 2008, do I file my taxes with my marital status as "married?"

Or do I wait and still file as "single" until she is finally here with me in the USA, and she has obtained a Social Security Number?

Thanks so much...

I hope all your endeavors to get your loved ones here to the USA are all going smoothly.

Check out this website page from the IRS - http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=120580,00.html

Note particularly the section titled "Seeking an ITIN." You may submit your 1040 (or 1040X) and the application for an ITIN at the same time. Details for submission are also included on the IRS page.

It might also help those who have erroneously filed as "single," and wish to file an amended return to include their spouse.

CC

[ao_cons 1]

You need to file as married since you are married. She does not need a SSN. She needs to get a ITIN.This is done through a W-7. Also check out IRS Pub 519 if you want to claim her as a resident for the fully year.

Hello. Um, who needs ITTN? We filed for CR-1 and I've yet to read anything about the beneficiary needing to have one. Is this only once one gets a green card? Is it for taxpayers? My husband doesn't pay taxes since all he gets is a disability pension.

[Arun+Catie 1]

You need to file as married since you are married. She does not need a SSN. She needs to get a ITIN.This is done through a W-7. Also check out IRS Pub 519 if you want to claim her as a resident for the fully year.

Hello. Um, who needs ITTN? We filed for CR-1 and I've yet to read anything about the beneficiary needing to have one. Is this only once one gets a green card? Is it for taxpayers? My husband doesn't pay taxes since all he gets is a disability pension.

Obtaining an ITIN is not a step in any immigrant visa process.

An ITIN is required for tax-filing purposes in the US for aliens without SSNs.

CC