Overwhelmed by taxes

[Jmeleecur 347]

I've started to browse through this tax & finance forum & some general googling, but I am just overwhelmed and confused by taxes in general, & being in the middle of this I-130 application process, I don't want to mess anything up! I thought someone here may have some insight and a solid understanding of my questions.  I'm not sure where to start so I'm just going to list some of the questions at the top of my mind right now...

 

 

• DETAILS- Married March 12, 2019 (Algerian Beneficiary)
  • I-130 approved by USCIS on December 18,2019- still waiting for application to make it's way to NVC etc...

 

Q's-

• Despite changing my filing status on my W4 with my employer to Married, I received my W2 today and it lists single.
  • Do I need, or would it be recommenced, to request a new W2? I've never requested a new W2- is this even possible? 
  • I realize I can still file my taxes as married with this W2 listing single, but if I didn't get a revised W2, will having a single filing status on the 2019 W2, while being married the majority of that year,  be an issue (or be a red flag) for the documents required to be submitted at the NVC/Embassy stages of the spousal visa application?
• When I do file my taxes, can I file married, filing separately, without an ITIN#?
  • Is this ITIN# required no matter which way you file?
  • Is there no way to file online, as married filing separately? I started a mock filing, as married filing separately, with the website I typically go to every year to file my taxes, and I couldn't get past the page where it asks my husbands name because it was requiring a ss#

 

Edited January 17, 2020 by Jmeleecur

[USS_Voyager 1,971]

11 minutes ago, Jmeleecur said:

Do I need, or would it be recommenced, to request a new W2? I've never requested a new W2- is this even possible? 

Yes, I would request a new W2. Just tell them they made a mistake on marital status and you need it corrected for immigration purposes.

13 minutes ago, Jmeleecur said:

I realize I can still file my taxes as married with this W2 listing single, but if I didn't get a revised W2, will having a single filing status on the 2019 W2, while being married the majority of that year,  be an issue (or be a red flag) for the documents required to be submitted at the NVC/Embassy stages of the spousal visa application?

A picky CO pay ask a question "Why does your W2 say you're single?" and you can explain it, and they probably will believe it (or not). However, why risk all of that, when you can simply fix the W2. It is a document your company issues and they can fix it in 2 seconds. 

 

15 minutes ago, Jmeleecur said:

Is this ITIN# required no matter which way you file?

99% sure you need either ITIN or SSN

 

15 minutes ago, Jmeleecur said:

Is there no way to file online, as married filing separately? I started a mock filing, as married filing separately, with the website I typically go to every year to file my taxes, and I couldn't get past the page where it asks my husbands name because it was requiring a ss#

Somebody somewhere on this website sometime ago said there is a way, but must file paper only, not online. I have no idea. I don't do taxes. This is where you need to talk to an accountant. I don't even do my own taxes. I get an accountant to do it for me. 

[Crazy Cat 39,604]

1 hour ago, Jmeleecur said:

I've started to browse through this tax & finance forum & some general googling, but I am just overwhelmed and confused by taxes in general, & being in the middle of this I-130 application process, I don't want to mess anything up! I thought someone here may have some insight and a solid understanding of my questions.  I'm not sure where to start so I'm just going to list some of the questions at the top of my mind right now...

 

 

• DETAILS- Married March 12, 2019 (Algerian Beneficiary)
  • I-130 approved by USCIS on December 18,2019- still waiting for application to make it's way to NVC etc...

 

Q's-

• Despite changing my filing status on my W4 with my employer to Married, I received my W2 today and it lists single.
  • Do I need, or would it be recommenced, to request a new W2? I've never requested a new W2- is this even possible? 
  • I realize I can still file my taxes as married with this W2 listing single, but if I didn't get a revised W2, will having a single filing status on the 2019 W2, while being married the majority of that year,  be an issue (or be a red flag) for the documents required to be submitted at the NVC/Embassy stages of the spousal visa application?
• When I do file my taxes, can I file married, filing separately, without an ITIN#?
  • Is this ITIN# required no matter which way you file?
  • Is there no way to file online, as married filing separately? I started a mock filing, as married filing separately, with the website I typically go to every year to file my taxes, and I couldn't get past the page where it asks my husbands name because it was requiring a ss#

 

Your W-4 concerns income tax withholding only......it does not affect tax filing status.  The status on your W-2 won't affect the immigration process.

You can file "Married-Filing Separately" (when foreign spouse has no SSN or ITIN) by doing the following:

 

List your spouse's name on the tax return

Write "NRA" in the box for spouse's SSN

Snail mail the tax return to the IRS.

 

Congratulations on knowing that you must file as Married.......there seems to be a lot of misinformation out there concerning that.......

[Jmeleecur 347]

39 minutes ago, USS_Voyager said:

Yes, I would request a new W2. Just tell them they made a mistake on marital status and you need it corrected for immigration purposes.

A picky CO pay ask a question "Why does your W2 say you're single?" and you can explain it, and they probably will believe it (or not). However, why risk all of that, when you can simply fix the W2. It is a document your company issues and they can fix it in 2 seconds. 

 

99% sure you need either ITIN or SSN

 

Somebody somewhere on this website sometime ago said there is a way, but must file paper only, not online. I have no idea. I don't do taxes. This is where you need to talk to an accountant. I don't even do my own taxes. I get an accountant to do it for me. 

Thanks for your help! I did just reach out to my HR department asking about getting a revised W2, so that should hopefully be taken care of.

 

I'm still kind of at a loss trying to figure out the ITIN, and if I absolutely need one for my husband. I'm trying to read up and understand exactly what I need to do in order to obtain one in the case that it is necessary. I will likely need to find a tax professional to help guide me with this.

 

My initial understanding is that I'm going to need him to send me his physical, original, national id card to satisfy the IRS's need for confirming his identity and foreign status. Sounds like a passport is the best option for this documentation, but apparently it's illegal for Algerians to mail their passport...

[Jmeleecur 347]

15 minutes ago, missileman said:

Congratulations on knowing that you must file as Married.......there seems to be a lot of misinformation out there concerning that.......

LOL, I've noticed that!

 

17 minutes ago, missileman said:

List your spouse's name on the tax return

Write "NRA" in the box for spouse's SSN

Snail mail the tax return to the IRS.

NRA- took me a minute, but I got it. , blonde moment. Non Resident Alien. Was wondering what rifles had to do with this. 

I'm bummed about having to use the snail mail, but oookay, it is what it is.

 

Thank you!

[USS_Voyager 1,971]

2 hours ago, Jmeleecur said:

Was wondering what rifles had to do with this

🤣😂