Taxes: Married- file separately or jointly??

[climo 0]

Hey VJ'ers I have a question about my upcoming tax return. I'm ready to file my 2006 taxes but I'm not sure on whether to file separately or jointly. We're in the process of her K-3 and I've heard its better to file jointly then separately. Not sure why. I have a power of attorney letter from my spouse just in case. Also should I fill out the W-7 form to get her a temp ssn or just wait for AOS? We were married in Sept 2006.

I'm going to HR block by the way. I hope they understand my situation of a spouse with no ssn. Can someone enlighten me on this tax issue? thanks

[tiberonsuave 0]

H&R Block should be able to answer your questions.

I would fill out the W-7 form and apply for a Tax Identification Number or TIN. This is not a temporary social security number. It will take longer than until April 15'th to recieve the number. You will then file at a different address than normal. It was Maryland as I recall. And your return will be somewhat delayed.

It is not always better to file jointly. Fill out the forms all ways possible and then you will know what is best for you. H & R Block should do this for you as a matter of routine.

I am not sure the power of attorney will do you much good unless you have her passport. You can alway file an ammended return return if necessary.

t

Hey VJ'ers I have a question about my upcoming tax return. I'm ready to file my 2006 taxes but I'm not sure on whether to file separately or jointly. We're in the process of her K-3 and I've heard its better to file jointly then separately. Not sure why. I have a power of attorney letter from my spouse just in case. Also should I fill out the W-7 form to get her a temp ssn or just wait for AOS? We were married in Sept 2006.

I'm going to HR block by the way. I hope they understand my situation of a spouse with no ssn. Can someone enlighten me on this tax issue? thanks

[mendeleev 68]

My understanding is that in order to file jointly, you need an income statement from your spouse. But you can exclude a large amount of income (I think $65K) of income that your spouse makes from US taxation.

I'm filing separately, since I can't get an income statement for 2006 from her employer -- and we plan to amend our return later when we get that statement. It will get us a substantial refund, since she makes a small fraction of the excludable amount.

[advr 0]

Hey VJ'ers I have a question about my upcoming tax return. I'm ready to file my 2006 taxes but I'm not sure on whether to file separately or jointly. We're in the process of her K-3 and I've heard its better to file jointly then separately. Not sure why. I have a power of attorney letter from my spouse just in case. Also should I fill out the W-7 form to get her a temp ssn or just wait for AOS? We were married in Sept 2006.

I'm going to HR block by the way. I hope they understand my situation of a spouse with no ssn. Can someone enlighten me on this tax issue? thanks

you will have to file w-7 the w-7 must be attached to your completed tax return(form 1040) If you use your spouse's passport as identification it must be notarised( american consellate if your spouse is not in the us).You can take that to a irs support center or mail it to the itin unit Bensalem,PA or Austin,Tx

[Robor007 0]

In order to file married jointly you will need to complete your 1040 like normal (your spouse needs to sign it) and a W7 for your spouse (note that she has to sign it) and provide identification (notarized or certified passport works - there's a list of other alternate info that can be used as well). To exclude the foreign earned income you need to submit form 2555. There are stipulations as to whether the foreign income can be excluded but it is $82K-something. You do not have to wait for an ITIN to file your taxes. You file the W7 along with your tax return. Make sure to make copies of *everything* you submit as you spouse will need them later on.

Edited March 12, 2007 by Robor007

[beameup 0]

I went with my wife to Jim Boyd in Angeles City, Pampanga and filed. All the forms were filled out - sent directly to the U.S. Embassy and then sent directly to Austin Texas IRS. SIMPLE AS THAT. LOTS OF MISINFORMATION (see below).

IRS Acceptance Agents for W-7

IRS Acceptance Agent in Philippines (only one)

Jim Boyd's telephone number (063) 45 888-2748, FAX (063) 45 888-5079

1925 McArthur Highway, Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines 2009

SAVED $900 USD--"it's up to you"

My understanding is that in order to file jointly, you need an income statement from your spouse. But you can exclude a large amount of income (I think $65K) of income that your spouse makes from US taxation.

I'm filing separately, since I can't get an income statement for 2006 from her employer -- and we plan to amend our return later when we get that statement. It will get us a substantial refund, since she makes a small fraction of the excludable amount.

[knowledge 0]

H&R Block should be able to answer your questions.

I would fill out the W-7 form and apply for a Tax Identification Number or TIN. This is not a temporary social security number. It will take longer than until April 15'th to recieve the number. You will then file at a different address than normal. It was Maryland as I recall. And your return will be somewhat delayed.

It is not always better to file jointly. Fill out the forms all ways possible and then you will know what is best for you. H & R Block should do this for you as a matter of routine.

I am not sure the power of attorney will do you much good unless you have her passport. You can alway file an ammended return return if necessary.

t

Hey VJ'ers I have a question about my upcoming tax return. I'm ready to file my 2006 taxes but I'm not sure on whether to file separately or jointly. We're in the process of her K-3 and I've heard its better to file jointly then separately. Not sure why. I have a power of attorney letter from my spouse just in case. Also should I fill out the W-7 form to get her a temp ssn or just wait for AOS? We were married in Sept 2006.

I'm going to HR block by the way. I hope they understand my situation of a spouse with no ssn. Can someone enlighten me on this tax issue? thanks

i.e."it's not always better to file jointly" i have asked elsewhere and the advice was the contrary, not always good to file separately...This is quite confusing...because all has to be consistent in our 2 taxes, even if living in 2 countries for now, separated...In fact i was searching for my USC hubby the exact source of info as of where to find the exact criterias either for when we have to file jointly or separately... anyone can give some guidance?

[zyggy 9]

I am the foreign tax expert for our District of H&R Block... make sure that you go and see someone at one of their Premium Offices.. most tax preparers there have no idea how to handle our situations...

But the rule of thumb is to NEVER file as MFS unless absolutely necessary or you're in one of the very few situations where it would make sense... There are very few tax situations where filing as MFS would be a better deal in terms of the taxes that you woule oew to the IRS or the refund that you would get...

My understanding is that in order to file jointly, you need an income statement from your spouse. But you can exclude a large amount of income (I think $65K) of income that your spouse makes from US taxation.

I'm filing separately, since I can't get an income statement for 2006 from her employer -- and we plan to amend our return later when we get that statement. It will get us a substantial refund, since she makes a small fraction of the excludable amount.

You do not need a statement of any kind... you merely report what she made.. a lot of countries don't even have a papertrail on what was made or collected... if it's an estimation.. that's okay, especially if you are just going to exclude it...

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

My understanding is that in order to file jointly, you need an income statement from your spouse. But you can exclude a large amount of income (I think $65K) of income that your spouse makes from US taxation.

I'm filing separately, since I can't get an income statement for 2006 from her employer -- and we plan to amend our return later when we get that statement. It will get us a substantial refund, since she makes a small fraction of the excludable amount.

You don't need an income statement for foreign earned income. You just declare what that income is and use form 2555 or 2555-EZ to determine what portion of that foreign earned income can be excluded from US taxation.