Luna_

On 3/16/2017 at 8:43 AM, Wuozopo said:

You can use TurboTax and choose a file by mail option, at least you can with the software version installed on your computer.  Get everything correct as far as errors they indicate, ignoring the SSN error. You can choose to print, then choose "forms for filing" so you don't print all the worksheets and such TurboTax generates. Sign the return. Write, print, and both of you sign a statement electing to be treated as a resident alien for tax purposes.  TurboTax will give you an address for paper filing based on where you live. 

 

You you did include your foreign income, right?

Thank you for the tips, we will try that today online.

We actually didn't include the foreign income at first but now I am much more educated on this subject now so it will be done right this time.

14 minutes ago, Suss&Camm said:

mennä eteenpäin!!

 

lol ik... it took me 8 weeks to get that darn card!

Haha, indeed yes! Gå vidare!

Yeah, my first card got lost in the mail and second one took about a forever to arrive. Smh.

19 minutes ago, Suss&Camm said:

read my last post in this thread:

 

Thank you so much! This was the kind of step by step guide I was looking for. Very helpful. Now we just have to see if TurboTax will work for us or if we just gotta do it by hand. 

Thank you for also clarifying that I indeed need to file by mail. Also relieved to know there actually isn't anything wrong with the SSN, it was somewhat a lengthy process to get it!

On 3/11/2017 at 6:02 AM, patriot10 said:

SSN not matching name warrants a visit to the Social Security office to see in case there is some error.

 

The name must match exactly as submitted to Social Security and there is no room for error or you will have issues in all aspects, including w2s, banking, credit and what not.

 

 

Thanks. I called SSA and they said (after asking couple of security questions) that the problem isn't on their end, but IRS's.

Hello

A bit of my background: arrived in US Dec 5th 2016, got married Dec 18th 2016. Worked in Finland nearly the whole year of 2016, 1/1-12/1. 

I have tried to figure out how we should file the taxes and came into the conclusion it should be MFJ. We tried this online but TurboTax came up with an error along the lines of "the SSN doesn't match name". I have had my SSC with my married name for around 1.5 months so I don't know what the issue may be. So now I am guessing our only choice is to file by mail? I am a bit unsure what are the forms we need to provide them through mail? I tried to browse through the forum but was left confused. Thanks for the help.

Thank you. Yeah, I will make sure to ask for a manager and bring up the last name difference again (in case it has some affect after all).

I hope so. It is too bad they don't know what is going on with the application and won't say anything til 4 weeks is up. Waiting 

I updated my profile, for some reason I thought it would change automatically as I updated my timeline earlier. Thank you for your help either way!

That actually crossed my mind too but after being adviced by two social security office workers that I should apply for the replacement on my married name, I thought I would be fine... guess not. When she checked up on me on the computer she could find me there with my maiden name but not my married name but I don't know if that is because they haven't done my name change there yet or what. But I am hoping when they hopefully issue the ssc, that will also change my name on the system. My I-94 expiration is approaching so that worries me too.

I originally applied for my social security card in my maiden name one week after my arrival to US as K-1 visa holder. Fast forward four weeks, still hadn't received the card so called the social security office. Come to find out that my card had been issued a bit over two weeks after the application date. The lady told me to apply for a replacement card as she suspected the card was lost in mail. I went to the social security office and applied for the social security card replacement, now on my married name. Now it has been two weeks from that date and I visited the social security office again to ask if I may receive my card soon. Well they said they didn't find anything under my married name aka it hasn't been issued yet under my married name. The lady at the window said that I haven't been patient enough and that I had to wait 4 weeks. I explained I already originally got a ssn assigned under my maiden name, I just never received the card. She then told me that as I already had the ssn, it should take less time for it to be issued this time. As she was saying that I saw the she realized that it has already nearly been as long for the second time around. After that she told me to come back after 2 weeks if I still don't have the card so I could apply for one again. So basically it has been nearly two months from my initial application and I still don't have the card. After all, it is needed for quite many places (lease, bank, ID... just to mention a few). I am frustrated. 

Has anyone gone through this, is this normal, is there anything I can do? I suppose I can wait those two more weeks but if I still don't have it, the counter will start from zero again and I have to wait a month again. 

The good news is that you're in Finland, which is relatively lax (or has been for most people) about financials. I was barely at the poverty line for the year we filed, and way below it for prior years, and therefore we had my parents prepare a whole joint-sponsorship package to bring to the interview in CASE the embassy didn't like my package. In the end, my husband said they barely even glanced at our paperwork, didn't ask or even care about financials at all, and we were approved without ever needing to mention our (held-in-reserve) joint sponsor stuff -- I'm not even sure they saw my total earnings and certainly didn't do more than flip past the page to see if it was filled out. Still, better safe than sorry and Penguin's advice about focusing on what his CURRENT earnings are is important.

Do beware though that the AOS once you're in the USA is probably a little more stringent, and you'll need to have a solid package when it comes to filing the I-864 things after you're married. Hopefully you'll have more solid paystubs by then!

Thank you for sharing your personal experience. Your successful experience does give me more confidence with the interview. May I ask if you used a joint-sponsor for AOS or did you successfully complete it with your own income?

Concentrate on what he is making now, not on why he made less last year. A letter from the employer stating he is permanent and his new salary would definitely help, as well as some paystubs.

Additionally if he has a 401k, or even a few thousands in savings, or a second car, show that to prove he has some assets to bolster the barely-over-the poverty line income.

Thank you so much for you reply! You are right, it will look better to concentrate on the rate increase and the fact that he is permanent. He will be mailing me copies of all the paystubs for this year so we will definitely be good on that.

He does have a 401k (even though hasn't had it for long) but we will include that plus the bank statement of his savings which are around $2k. Hopefully this will be enough to suffice. I am feeling more hopeful now.

We received our NOA2 on 6/29. As of yesterday we found out the person who was supposed to be our co-sponsor backed out due personal reasons. There is absolutely no way of finding anyone else to co-sponsor us.

The reason why I am worried is that my fiancé didn't earn above the poverty line (a bit over $15k) last year but he will this year, even though he will make just barely over the poverty line (by $200). However, he has been working at the same place since 2012. For first couple of years he was working part time, so he didn't make that much and 2015 he only made 15k because his employer couldn't offer him work for couple of months. Anyway, this year he will earn over the poverty guidelines and will be a getting a raise (around 15 %) this month. I am really worried this will be an issue at the interview stage as they ask for the 2015 W2 which shows he didn't make enough. We could get a letter from his supervisor explaining the reason why he only made that much on 2015 and that he is going to get a raise plus that he is a permanent employee. He is also looking for a part-time job as of now. Will this result a problem at the interview (which is in Finland)? Do we have a chance of being approved as it is? I would appreciate any input.