Filing Status - Single

[jkelly07 120]

you can't get the 2012 year tax transcript until after april 15 2013.you can get an extension 6 months, to file your taxes.also it's better if you file jointly married, it will give you good evidence of bonafide marriage for your citizenship,

[chaine1 116]

I'll be filing as "Married filing separately." As my wife does not have a SSN or ITIN, I'll be writing "NRA" (non-resident alien) in the spot where it asks for her SSN or ITIN. This is perfectly legal and is even listed in the 1040 instructions.

I don't have experience filing with children, so I can't comment there, but this is what I did for three years. No problems whatsoever. And I also filed a couple of years late. No issues. I was unable to efile though, so I had to mail them in, which is a bit of a pain and an added expense when you have to use Fedex or something similar.

Good luck... Hope everything is working out for you!

[NikLR 13,220]

You need the ITIN for married filing separately? I was looking it up on a tax site and it sounded like you only needed the ITIN for filing jointly. As far as I can read that's pretty much filing as single but you're saying "hey I'm married, just not gaining any tax benefit from it."

(just fully read the second post.)

Edit: In Canada we register marriages and in the USA you guys don't. I think the way you file your taxes is somehow a weird equivalent to a registration of marriage.

Edited January 13, 2013 by NikiR

[The Mean Lady 604]

You need the ITIN for married filing separately? I was looking it up on a tax site and it sounded like you only needed the ITIN for filing jointly. As far as I can read that's pretty much filing as single but you're saying "hey I'm married, just not gaining any tax benefit from it."

(just fully read the second post.)

Edit: In Canada we register marriages and in the USA you guys don't. I think the way you file your taxes is somehow a weird equivalent to a registration of marriage.

What do you mean we don't register marriages?

Is my pastor sending paperwork to the courthouse stating the marriage happened not registering it?

How else would I get marriage certificates?

[NikLR 13,220]

It depends on the state/county/city. I may have worded it wrong but it's not like what I'm used to, provincially and nationally. But then we only have 10 provinces and 3 territories and a third of the population. It's easier to regulate obviously. Don't take offense.

[The Mean Lady 604]

It depends on the state/county/city. I may have worded it wrong but it's not like what I'm used to, provincially and nationally. But then we only have 10 provinces and 3 territories and a third of the population. It's easier to regulate obviously. Don't take offense.

lol no offense.

i was genuinely asking the questions

though reading again i see it reads a bit threatening lol

even i just read it that way haha

[amykathleen2005 441]

If you file as single this is how your interview is going to go:

Officer: Are these your taxes which say single? So you aren't married? Ok visa denied.

[The Mean Lady 604]

If you file as single this is how your interview is going to go:

Officer: Are these your taxes which say single? So you aren't married? Ok visa denied.

i dont think it quite happens like that

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

You signed a document to the federal government where you state you are single even though that status is not allowed if you are legally married, why wouldn't they deny you ?

[amykathleen2005 441]

For marriage visas, ROC, and citizenship, what is the first thing that USCIS looks for to show proof of a relationship JOINT TAX RETURNS.

[spn1025 38]

I don't have experience filing with children, so I can't comment there, but this is what I did for three years. No problems whatsoever. And I also filed a couple of years late. No issues. I was unable to efile though, so I had to mail them in, which is a bit of a pain and an added expense when you have to use Fedex or something similar.

Good luck... Hope everything is working out for you!

You need a SSN or ITIN for anyone that you claim as a dependent. If you aren't claiming children and your spouse makes no money (not claiming a tax return), you can use NRA if filing Married Separately. Claiming Married Jointly, you need an ITIN or SSN for the spouse. If you're claiming children, you need an ITIN or SSN for them.

The first year that you file taxes with a new ITIN, you cannot e-file, you have to do it by paper. On the 2nd year, you can e-file.

As for everyone else who say to claim Single, I wouldn't do that. Nowhere on the IRS website or any forms/instructions does it say to list single if you are in fact married. Whether or not you'll get in trouble for it is a different story. If you're married, you're supposed to file as married.

[Roosha 51]

So I can file Married Separately and write NRA and not apply for an ITIN? If that's the case, it'll solve the whole issue.

As far as sending in W2s I don't have those b/c any employment I had was overseas and they obviously don't give W2s which is why I need to get transcripts.

Are you sure they don't send out transcripts for 2012 until after deadline?

[The Mean Lady 604]

So I can file Married Separately and write NRA and not apply for an ITIN? If that's the case, it'll solve the whole issue.

As far as sending in W2s I don't have those b/c any employment I had was overseas and they obviously don't give W2s which is why I need to get transcripts.

Are you sure they don't send out transcripts for 2012 until after deadline?

yes and yes.

just incude a copy of the return and explanation of no w2s