Tax Return While Filing CR1

[Twodice 0]

I would like some information on tax reutnrs!

My wife and I have been married since Aug 31 2010.

I live in London until the visa app is complete, she has just begun work since finishing college in aug 2010.

I need to know if we file a tax return as joint even though I am not a citizen or have a ssn.

Im not sure where I stand and whether I need to file at all.

Thanks for your help!

[Married2009 32]

You can fill out an W-7, and get an ITIN number. She has to file married - if you get your ITIN number (takes the place of the SSN for tax purposes only), she can file married filing jointly. You get a better refund. Otherwise, she can file married filing seperately and file an amendment when you get here and have your social security number.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Your joint filing would be for the tax year 2010, which isn't due until April 15, 2011. You will have your SSN by then so don't need an ITIN. If you don't earn money in the US in the year 2010, you don't have to file anything and the wife can file married filing separately. OR a better tax break will probably be file jointly but worldwide income must be reported (hers and your UK 2010 calendar year earnings.) You will qualify for foreign income exclusion so don't freak about the US taxing your UK earnings. It's reported but gets to be excluded. We discuss taxes in detail on VJ Feb-April, so stay tuned for later when you will need more information.

For now, before you leave, get a good estimate of your earnings there and dates paid. Just a head's up in case you plan to toss out old pay slips or shut down access to online bank deposits. It is all self-reported by you. You work it out in US dollar equivalent going by the exchange rate at the time earned. There's online historical exchange rates and it's not that hard to come up with a figure in US dollars to report. And it's not your UK tax year. It's what you earned from Jan 1 2010 to the date you leave the UK.

Edited October 8, 2010 by Nich-Nick

[JAPrincess 27]

Hello good people

I am confused...

My husband will not be here by the time I file my taxes.

If he gets an ITIN number and I file married filing jointly do I need power of attorney?

The tax preparation lady I spoke to today said in order to file a joint return the spouse has to be there to sign the tax documents or the one present has to have power of attorney.

Is this true?

How are others filing jointly without this??

[rin and john 71]

Hello good people

I am confused...

My husband will not be here by the time I file my taxes.

If he gets an ITIN number and I file married filing jointly do I need power of attorney?

The tax preparation lady I spoke to today said in order to file a joint return the spouse has to be there to sign the tax documents or the one present has to have power of attorney.

Is this true?

How are others filing jointly without this??

I obtained an ITIN for Rin before she came to the USA. Had to get a copy of her passport notarized at US Citizen Services at the US Embassy in Bangkok. Then used that to file for the ITIN with the IRS. A few useful links:

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.html

http://kingston.usembassy.gov/notarial_services.html

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/270933-taxes-question-married-last-year/page__view__findpost__p__4155468

Also, do a search on visajourney for 'itin". Lots of tax threads will come up that will be relevant to your situation.

John

[JAPrincess 27]

Thank you John, the links were helpful