Married and Taxes

[missinu 1]

Hello All, I thought I should let you all know that I just talked to IRS and they told me that I should be filing Married in the United States even though my husband is away in another country. You may already know this, but the reason I may not know this is because I am 24 and dont pay much attention to taxes. I just thought I would let you know.

However, It may be a different story since my husband was here in the U.S. during part of the year. But it doesnt hurt to contact the IRS and ask.

Questions: For anyone that may have knowledge with taxes and filing married. Please share

[jkelly07 120]

if you are married and your spouse is in another country, you can still file your taxes married or joint , being married you get a better fefund, and it's better evidence to show a bona fide marriage, to remove conditions in the feture,you need to get a tax form w-7 itin number, along with your social security number to file your taxes,call the tax 1-800-829-1040,once they get the w-7 signed and filled out, they will give you a itin number to use on your tax return,

[CarlosAndSveta 808]

Hello All, I thought I should let you all know that I just talked to IRS and they told me that I should be filing Married in the United States even though my husband is away in another country. You may already know this, but the reason I may not know this is because I am 24 and dont pay much attention to taxes. I just thought I would let you know.

However, It may be a different story since my husband was here in the U.S. during part of the year. But it doesnt hurt to contact the IRS and ask.

Questions: For anyone that may have knowledge with taxes and filing married. Please share

If a U.S. citizen is married at the end of the year then his/her filing status for U.S. Income Tax purposes is either Married Filing Joint or Married Filing Separately. Here are links that people on this forum might find helpful in filing their tax returns:

Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Living Abroad

U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens

[missinu 1]

thank you

[Ashley_Armando 1]

thanks for the heads up! I wasn't sure about that!

Question for anyone: so do your W4s or 2s whatever one you use for your taxes do they have to say married to file for married on the income taxes. Cause I didn't think about putting my status as married on those when I started my two jobs last year.

[JF_CIC 0]

thanks for the heads up! I wasn't sure about that!

Question for anyone: so do your W4s or 2s whatever one you use for your taxes do they have to say married to file for married on the income taxes. Cause I didn't think about putting my status as married on those when I started my two jobs last year.

No, you're fine. It just means that you probably had income tax withheld as if you're paying taxes using the higher single people tax brackets instead of the lower married tax brackets. So, chances are you'll have a big refund coming (if you do married filing jointly).

[Atencio 43]

if you are married and your spouse is in another country, you can still file your taxes married or joint , being married you get a better fefund, and it's better evidence to show a bona fide marriage, to remove conditions in the feture,you need to get a tax form w-7 itin number, along with your social security number to file your taxes,call the tax 1-800-829-1040,once they get the w-7 signed and filled out, they will give you a itin number to use on your tax return,

My understanding was that you need either the ITIN number or social security number, not both.

[pushbrk 12,106]

My understanding was that you need either the ITIN number or social security number, not both.

Yes but the ITIN becomes void when a Social Security number is assigned to the same person. The issue with filing as married is to actually obtain either of those numbers when the person and their passport are outside the USA.

It is perfectly acceptable to file as single and later file an amended return after the foreign spouse arrives and has an SSN. Many of us have taken that route in the past, due to the risks associated with mailing passports internationally.

[Ashley_Armando 1]

would it matter in terms of refund or anything else whether i file married, separate, or married jointly??

No, you're fine. It just means that you probably had income tax withheld as if you're paying taxes using the higher single people tax brackets instead of the lower married tax brackets. So, chances are you'll have a big refund coming (if you do married filing jointly).

[pushbrk 12,106]

would it matter in terms of refund or anything else whether i file married, separate, or married jointly??

Yes, the filing status impacts the taxes due and/or refund. However, you can always amend your return later. In our case, I filed single right away in early 2006, so I could use the tax return to finance my second visit to China. Later in the year, when my wife and her passport were both in the USA, we filed an amended return and got an additional refund.

[Atencio 43]

Thanks pushbrk

[Ashley_Armando 1]

so i file married separately then for this year (even though my husband isn't here yet)? (i'm a bit confused.)

Yes, the filing status impacts the taxes due and/or refund. However, you can always amend your return later. In our case, I filed single right away in early 2006, so I could use the tax return to finance my second visit to China. Later in the year, when my wife and her passport were both in the USA, we filed an amended return and got an additional refund.

[pushbrk 12,106]

so i file married separately then for this year (even though my husband isn't here yet)? (i'm a bit confused.)

Then ask a tax professional. You've been given options, not told what to do. I suggest you examine the options and make the best decision you can. There is no "have to" in this scenario, no one right answer for everybody. Welcome to "real life".

[Ashley_Armando 1]

sorry i asked for "advice" then.

Then ask a tax professional. You've been given options, not told what to do. I suggest you examine the options and make the best decision you can. There is no "have to" in this scenario, no one right answer for everybody. Welcome to "real life".