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UnitedStatesGuy

Turbo Tax not letting me file separately (split topic)

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13 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Yes, you can elect to be treated as an RA for the entire tax year as the NRA spouse of a USC. Then you can file as MFJ fine.

 

However, there are 2 issues:

1) Worldwide income must be reported. This can then be mostly to fully excluded via the FEIE and/or FTC.

2) She must have an SSN or ITIN. You cannot write in "NRA" instead. She is not an NRA if you elect to be treated as an RA. She would need to obtain an ITIN, OR wait until she has an SSN (via an EAD), OR you can file MFS now and amend taxes later.

Got it. Now if I am not mistaken, #2 is taken care of via ITIN/W7 being attached to the return...

My head is spinning a bit to be honest. I am trying to file jointly on turbotax, but nowhere does it ask for global income or anything like that. It asks for either W2 or 1099 for my wife, neither of which she has (because the small amount of income she had in 2018 was outside the US). 

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5 minutes ago, UnitedStatesGuy said:

Got it. Now if I am not mistaken, #2 is taken care of via ITIN/W7 being attached to the return...

Generally, yes.

 

5 minutes ago, UnitedStatesGuy said:

My head is spinning a bit to be honest. I am trying to file jointly on turbotax, but nowhere does it ask for global income or anything like that. It asks for either W2 or 1099 for my wife, neither of which she has (because the small amount of income she had in 2018 was outside the US). 

I'm certain TurboTax does permit this as all USCs and LPRs are required to report worldwide income anyway. It's just not one of the "normal" forms of income that applies to most people, so it's easy to overlook. They move it around every year, but it's usually listed under something like "Less Common Income".

Timelines:

ROC:

Spoiler

7/27/20: Sent forms to Dallas lockbox, 7/30/20: Received by USCIS, 8/10 NOA1 electronic notification received, 8/1/ NOA1 hard copy received

AOS:

Spoiler

AOS (I-485 + I-131 + I-765):

9/25/17: sent forms to Chicago, 9/27/17: received by USCIS, 10/4/17: NOA1 electronic notification received, 10/10/17: NOA1 hard copy received. Social Security card being issued in married name (3rd attempt!)

10/14/17: Biometrics appointment notice received, 10/25/17: Biometrics

1/2/18: EAD + AP approved (no website update), 1/5/18: EAD + AP mailed, 1/8/18: EAD + AP approval notice hardcopies received, 1/10/18: EAD + AP received

9/5/18: Interview scheduled notice, 10/17/18: Interview

10/24/18: Green card produced notice, 10/25/18: Formal approval, 10/31/18: Green card received

K-1:

Spoiler

I-129F

12/1/16: sent, 12/14/16: NOA1 hard copy received, 3/10/17: RFE (IMB verification), 3/22/17: RFE response received

3/24/17: Approved! , 3/30/17: NOA2 hard copy received

 

NVC

4/6/2017: Received, 4/12/2017: Sent to Riyadh embassy, 4/16/2017: Case received at Riyadh embassy, 4/21/2017: Request case transfer to Manila, approved 4/24/2017

 

K-1

5/1/2017: Case received by Manila (1 week embassy transfer??? Lucky~)

7/13/2017: Interview: APPROVED!!!

7/19/2017: Visa in hand

8/15/2017: POE

 

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Mexico
Timeline
13 minutes ago, UnitedStatesGuy said:

Got it. Now if I am not mistaken, #2 is taken care of via ITIN/W7 being attached to the return...

My head is spinning a bit to be honest. I am trying to file jointly on turbotax, but nowhere does it ask for global income or anything like that. It asks for either W2 or 1099 for my wife, neither of which she has (because the small amount of income she had in 2018 was outside the US). 

I don't think you will be able to use the software. I filed a paper return. Below is what I included, in order:

W-7 ITIN Application

W-7 Certificate of Authenticity (I had a CAA verify the authenticity of my spouse's passport so that I wouldn't have to send the IRS his original passport)

Copy of RA's passport

1040

Schedule 3 Nonrefundable Credits

1116 Foreign Tax Credit

Lastly, To go along with the 1116, I made a supplement that shows how I converted by spouses income from Mexican peso to USD. The preferred way to convert is to use the conversion rate that was in effect on each pay day. My spouse was paid bi-weekly, so I had a lot of different conversion rates.

 

You'll note that I did not include an election statement to treat my spouse as a RA. That is because my spouse passed the substantial presence test, and was therefore already a RA.

 

Capture.JPG

Edited by junkmart

c9 AOS Concurrently filed I-130 & I-130A, I-485, I-131, I-765

 

2019-02-21 Package sent to Chicago Lockbox via FedEx

2019-03-09 Notice received via USPS

2019-03-15 Biometrics Appointment Notice received

2019-03-26 Attended Biometrics Appointment

2019-04-01 Case is ready to to be scheduled for an interview

2019-04-22 Interview Notice received via USPS

2019-05-20 Interview: Approved after 82 days.

2019-05-21 Card in production

2019-05-22 Card was mailed to you (no tracking)

2019-05-29 Green Card in hand.

 

I-751 Removal of Conditions

2021-03-23 Package Sent via FedEx

2021-04-01 Package Received Texas Service Center

2021-04-21 I-797C Notice Date

2021-04-26 Notice Received via USPS

2021-05-04 Biometrics were reused

2021-11-16 New card is being produced

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5 minutes ago, junkmart said:

I don't think you will be able to use the software. I filed a paper return. Below is what I included, in order:

W-7 ITIN Application

W-7 Certificate of Authenticity (I had a CAA verify the authenticity of my spouse's passport so that I wouldn't have to send the IRS his original passport)

Copy of RA's passport

1040

Schedule 3 Nonrefundable Credits

1116 Foreign Tax Credit

Lastly, To go along with the 1116, I made a supplement that shows how I converted by spouses income from Mexican peso to USD. The preferred way to convert is to use the conversion rate that was in effect on each pay day. My spouse was paid bi-weekly, so I had a lot of different conversion rates.

 

You'll note that I did not include an election statement to treat my spouse as a RA. That is because my spouse passed the substantial presence test, and was therefore already a RA.

 

Thanks for the help! Who is CAA? I am trying to figure out how we would actually get a certified copy of her German passport. By definition, a certified copy is a copy certified by original issuer (German gov't), unless I am mistaken. 

As for the other forms you mention, are these things that I have to worry about? Or can I fill everything out on turbotax, and simply attach W7 & supporting docs?

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Mexico
Timeline
9 minutes ago, UnitedStatesGuy said:

Thanks for the help! Who is CAA? I am trying to figure out how we would actually get a certified copy of her German passport. By definition, a certified copy is a copy certified by original issuer (German gov't), unless I am mistaken. 

As for the other forms you mention, are these things that I have to worry about? Or can I fill everything out on turbotax, and simply attach W7 & supporting docs?

From W-7 Instructions:

Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA). A Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) can verify original documentation and certified copies of the documentation from the issuing agency for primary and secondary applicants and their dependents.

 

In lieu of sending in the original or certified documention from original issuer, you can visit a CAA and have the documents verified. The CAA will give you a Certificate of Authenticity to include with the W-7. That way you hang on to your original or certified copy from original issuer.. This may not be important to you. It was to my spouse as he did not want to me in the US without his passport on his person.

Edited by junkmart

c9 AOS Concurrently filed I-130 & I-130A, I-485, I-131, I-765

 

2019-02-21 Package sent to Chicago Lockbox via FedEx

2019-03-09 Notice received via USPS

2019-03-15 Biometrics Appointment Notice received

2019-03-26 Attended Biometrics Appointment

2019-04-01 Case is ready to to be scheduled for an interview

2019-04-22 Interview Notice received via USPS

2019-05-20 Interview: Approved after 82 days.

2019-05-21 Card in production

2019-05-22 Card was mailed to you (no tracking)

2019-05-29 Green Card in hand.

 

I-751 Removal of Conditions

2021-03-23 Package Sent via FedEx

2021-04-01 Package Received Texas Service Center

2021-04-21 I-797C Notice Date

2021-04-26 Notice Received via USPS

2021-05-04 Biometrics were reused

2021-11-16 New card is being produced

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To clarify, you can use tax software online. You just can't eFile and provide an election statement. You would still need to print and mail.

Timelines:

ROC:

Spoiler

7/27/20: Sent forms to Dallas lockbox, 7/30/20: Received by USCIS, 8/10 NOA1 electronic notification received, 8/1/ NOA1 hard copy received

AOS:

Spoiler

AOS (I-485 + I-131 + I-765):

9/25/17: sent forms to Chicago, 9/27/17: received by USCIS, 10/4/17: NOA1 electronic notification received, 10/10/17: NOA1 hard copy received. Social Security card being issued in married name (3rd attempt!)

10/14/17: Biometrics appointment notice received, 10/25/17: Biometrics

1/2/18: EAD + AP approved (no website update), 1/5/18: EAD + AP mailed, 1/8/18: EAD + AP approval notice hardcopies received, 1/10/18: EAD + AP received

9/5/18: Interview scheduled notice, 10/17/18: Interview

10/24/18: Green card produced notice, 10/25/18: Formal approval, 10/31/18: Green card received

K-1:

Spoiler

I-129F

12/1/16: sent, 12/14/16: NOA1 hard copy received, 3/10/17: RFE (IMB verification), 3/22/17: RFE response received

3/24/17: Approved! , 3/30/17: NOA2 hard copy received

 

NVC

4/6/2017: Received, 4/12/2017: Sent to Riyadh embassy, 4/16/2017: Case received at Riyadh embassy, 4/21/2017: Request case transfer to Manila, approved 4/24/2017

 

K-1

5/1/2017: Case received by Manila (1 week embassy transfer??? Lucky~)

7/13/2017: Interview: APPROVED!!!

7/19/2017: Visa in hand

8/15/2017: POE

 

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7 hours ago, junkmart said:

From W-7 Instructions:

Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA). A Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) can verify original documentation and certified copies of the documentation from the issuing agency for primary and secondary applicants and their dependents.

 

In lieu of sending in the original or certified documention from original issuer, you can visit a CAA and have the documents verified. The CAA will give you a Certificate of Authenticity to include with the W-7. That way you hang on to your original or certified copy from original issuer.. This may not be important to you. It was to my spouse as he did not want to me in the US without his passport on his person.

Are those other forms (1040, 1116, Schedule 3) something that I have to worry about? I am in no way a tax expert. I was going to download my completed TurboTax, and attach the W7 with the necessary supporting documents. 

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SSN doesn't expire.  Your wife has an SSN. This would make it much easier to file

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.  - Dr. Seuss

 

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Mexico
Timeline
12 hours ago, UnitedStatesGuy said:

 

 

Are those other forms (1040, 1116, Schedule 3) something that I have to worry about? I am in no way a tax expert. I was going to download my completed TurboTax, and attach the W7 with the necessary supporting documents. 

Apparently not, if you are using software, and Geowrian has advised that you can use software, you just can't efile.

c9 AOS Concurrently filed I-130 & I-130A, I-485, I-131, I-765

 

2019-02-21 Package sent to Chicago Lockbox via FedEx

2019-03-09 Notice received via USPS

2019-03-15 Biometrics Appointment Notice received

2019-03-26 Attended Biometrics Appointment

2019-04-01 Case is ready to to be scheduled for an interview

2019-04-22 Interview Notice received via USPS

2019-05-20 Interview: Approved after 82 days.

2019-05-21 Card in production

2019-05-22 Card was mailed to you (no tracking)

2019-05-29 Green Card in hand.

 

I-751 Removal of Conditions

2021-03-23 Package Sent via FedEx

2021-04-01 Package Received Texas Service Center

2021-04-21 I-797C Notice Date

2021-04-26 Notice Received via USPS

2021-05-04 Biometrics were reused

2021-11-16 New card is being produced

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Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
Timeline

***First post and subsequent replies to it split from unrelated thread; please start your own thread with your own questions instead of hijacking threads started by other members.***

Our journey:

Spoiler

September 2007: Met online via social networking site (MySpace); began exchanging messages.
March 26, 2009: We become a couple!
September 10, 2009: Arrived for first meeting in-person!
June 17, 2010: Arrived for second in-person meeting and start of travel together to other areas of China!
June 21, 2010: Engaged!!!
September 1, 2010: Switched course from K1 to CR-1
December 8, 2010: Wedding date set; it will be on February 18, 2011!
February 9, 2011: Depart for China
February 11, 2011: Registered for marriage in Wuhan, officially married!!!
February 18, 2011: Wedding ceremony in Shiyan!!!
April 22, 2011: Mailed I-130 to Chicago
April 28, 2011: Received NOA1 via text/email, file routed to CSC (priority date April 25th)
April 29, 2011: Updated
May 3, 2011: Received NOA1 hardcopy in mail
July 26, 2011: Received NOA2 via text/email!!!
July 30, 2011: Received NOA2 hardcopy in mail
August 8, 2011: NVC received file
September 1, 2011: NVC case number assigned
September 2, 2011: AOS invoice received, OPTIN email for EP sent
September 7, 2011: Paid AOS bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 9, 2011)
September 8, 2011: OPTIN email accepted, GZO number assigned
September 10, 2011: Emailed AOS package
September 12, 2011: IV bill invoiced
September 13, 2011: Paid IV bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 14, 2011)
September 14, 2011: Emailed IV package
October 3, 2011: Emailed checklist response (checklist generated due to typo on Form DS-230)
October 6, 2011: Case complete at NVC
November 10, 2011: Interview - APPROVED!!!
December 7, 2011: POE - Sea-Tac Airport

September 17, 2013: Mailed I-751 to CSC

September 23, 2013: Received NOA1 in mail (receipt date September 19th)

October 16, 2013: Biometrics Appointment

January 28, 2014: Production of new Green Card ordered

February 3, 2014: New Green Card received; done with USCIS until fall of 2023*

December 18, 2023:  Filed I-90 to renew Green Card

December 21, 2023:  Production of new Green Card ordered - will be seeing USCIS again every 10 years for renewal

 

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Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Japan
Timeline
On 2/5/2019 at 7:46 AM, UnitedStatesGuy said:

It seems like filing jointly is much more complicated... Where did you read about the 999 thing? 

 

Lastly, if she had no income in the US in 2018, does she really need to file a separate return? 

 

Edit: She previously had an SSN from when she used to be an Opair (but it has since expired), would it make sense to just put that in? 

I don’t think ssn expire...it is a lifetime thing

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