Unable to file tax return for the past 3 years

[markwebb 5]

I am a US citizen living outside the US for the last 17 years and trying to establish my domicile in the US. 

 

Note: I have never filed US taxes in my life but filed in UK and Australia. 

 

I am using TURBOTAX to file my returns for the last 3 years using my global income but unable to submit my form as I am filing as married but my wife doesn't have a SSN number ( British citizen). That seems like a mandatory field in the online form if you're married. How do I submit my taxes now from London ? 

Is there another way ? 

 

My family is in the US , but idk if they can help somehow . 

Edited December 8, 2019 by markwebb

[dwheels76 5,459]

2 minutes ago, markwebb said:

I am a US citizen living outside the US for the last 17 years and trying to establish my domicile in the US. 

 

Note: I have never filed US taxes in my life but filed in UK and Australia. 

 

I am using TURBOTAX to file my returns for the last 3 years using my global income but unable to submit my form as I am filing as married but my wife doesn't have a SSN number ( British citizen). That seems like a mandatory field in the online form if you're married. How do I submit my taxes now from London ? 

Is there another way ? 

 

My family is in the US , but idk if they can help somehow . 

Well you have to mail it in but you would file Married filing separate. You can't file Married filing jointly without a SS# or ITIN.

[markwebb 5]

11 minutes ago, dwheels76 said:

Well you have to mail it in but you would file Married filing separate. You can't file Married filing jointly without a SS# or ITIN.

Yes I am filing "married filing separately" . How many forms do I need to file , would be helpful if someone could tell that .

[dwheels76 5,459]

10 minutes ago, markwebb said:

Yes I am filing "married filing separately" . How many forms do I need to file , would be helpful if someone could tell that .

What do you mean how many forms you have to file? You have to file for the last three years so 2018, 2017, 2016 is required.

 

So print off the tax forms and send them all in together. You are done.

[kris&me 572]

2 hours ago, dwheels76 said:

Well you have to mail it in but you would file Married filing separate. You can't file Married filing jointly without a SS# or ITIN.

 

You are married / filing single is not an option

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/nonresident-alien-spouse

Read the following under the title 

 

Election to file joint return

 

You must file a joint income tax return for the year you make the choice (but you and your spouse can file joint or separate returns in later years).

still follow the nonresident alien spouse instructions

and you are married not single / how would you prove the marriage to immigration for the CR1  if your tax returns say single 

 

file w7 for ITIN for spouse / no turbo tax /they don't show the option / you need to file by paper

and why would you not file married joint for the tax breaks?

also need form 2555 for the income exclusion for the foreign income

 

Edited December 8, 2019 by kris&me

[NikLR 13,220]

~~moved to taxes and finances from IR1/CR1 process and procedures.~~

[Sukie 1,439]

TurboTax and other tax-prep software doesn't like blank SSNs.  You can prepare your forms using TurboTax, but then you will have to print them out, put NRA (Non-Resident Alien) in the SSN box (write it by hand), and you will have to MAIL your tax forms in.  Make sure you keep copies.

 

That is, let TurboTax do the figuring, but you will have to do a manual submission - not through the software.

 

I hope this works for you!

 

Sukie in NY

 

 

[carmel34 3,529]

You can have a certified IRS agency in the UK sign the W-7, to file with an ITIN request, plus your 1040s, that way you can file as married filing jointly and get the extra tax break.  Google "certifying tax agents" in the UK for IRS tax filing purposes.  My husband and I did this and the certifying accountant came to Heathrow Airport in London to sign our W-7 forms while we were there together in April on vacation, my husband lived in Brazil at the time.  Then the certifying agent sent off our paper 1040 for us.  Good luck with filing your back tax returns!

[markwebb 5]

Thanks everyone .. you guys have been so helpful 

[Tesco 52]

When I filed MFS I used TaxAct online, there was a box to check that actually said that my spouse was an NRA. With that, I was able to file electronically. 

[JFH 12,189]

1 hour ago, Tesco said:

When I filed MFS I used TaxAct online, there was a box to check that actually said that my spouse was an NRA. With that, I was able to file electronically. 

Sorry for the hijack but yours is the best user name ever. How I miss Tesco! 

[Tesco 52]

10 hours ago, JFH said:

Sorry for the hijack but yours is the best user name ever. How I miss Tesco! 

Every little bit helps; as was the slogan -)

[Wuozopo 4,285]

On 12/8/2019 at 1:20 PM, kris&me said:

file w7 for ITIN for spouse / no turbo tax /they don't show the option / you need to file by paper

and why would you not file married joint for the tax breaks?

also need form 2555 for the income exclusion for the foreign income

 

On 12/8/2019 at 4:41 PM, carmel34 said:

You can have a certified IRS agency in the UK sign the W-7, to file with an ITIN request, plus your 1040s, that way you can file as married filing jointly and get the extra tax break.

 

This thread is from weeks ago, but I wanted to point out that there is no advantage for this person to file a joint return. He lives abroad and his income is totally foreign and will be excluded.

 

He will owe zero taxes to the IRS if he files Married Filing Separately. He can't improve on zero tax by jumping through the extra hoops to get an ITIN for his wife. 

[elizabethm91 0]

Hi Mark,

 

Did you end up submitting your tax returns through Turbo Tax?

If so, how long did it take to be processed?

 

I need to file my US taxes ASAP too in order to submit the I-864 so was just wondering on timing. Was Turbo Tax worth it do you think?

 

Thanks!

[Wuozopo 4,285]

3 hours ago, elizabethm91 said:

Hi Mark,

 

Did you end up submitting your tax returns through Turbo Tax?

If so, how long did it take to be processed?

 

I need to file my US taxes ASAP too in order to submit the I-864 so was just wondering on timing. Was Turbo Tax worth it do you think?

 

Thanks!

 

  It is too late to e-file (according to TurboTax), so you will have to mail a paper return to Austin, TX. The 2018 online TurboTax is no longer online. They do sell the software to install on your computer to fill out the forms and print the return. 

 

Question: Do you have a Social Security number needed for filing ?

Edited January 1, 2020 by Wuozopo