Keeley

You don't actually have to wait for CC to request an expedite, although if you're already at that stage, it might not make much of a difference. This blog post has some information on what to include in your email if you're requesting an expedite during NVC processing: http://www.lovevisalife.com/2017/09/nvc-expedite-request-us-spouse-visa/ Not sure this applies directly to your situation, but it at least has the NVC expedite email and instructions of what to include in your request. Good luck!

No I actually have not thought about that, thank you! I didn't realize that could be grounds. I'm currently still in the process of uploading the final documents (waiting for police report). If all those have been uploaded and I have a CC, maybe then I could make an expedite request.

Having a job offer might be grounds to expedite your interview at the consulate. Have you considered making an expedite request?

This is very anecdotal and based on my experience alone, but I am pivot and I got my case number after 29 days. On one of the calls I made to NVC, the rep told me when I asked how long he thought I would have to wait that "because your case is electronic (i.e. pivot), it should be faster that non-electronic." 

I'd also heard that Australia Post did reasonable rates for shipping by sea (if you're in no rush to get the items) Just checked it out and for a 10kg box its about $98 so I guess dependent on your airline and how soon you need it that's a decent option!
 
Thanks for sharing!

We did some research for this and actually found that Australia Post had good international freight rates compared to other private companies (DHL, etc.) since we aren't planning to ship large items like furniture. Some international shipping companies will require that you meet a minimum weight amount before you can actually use their services. You can calculate international freight shipping on the Australia Post site here: https://auspost.com.au/parcels-mail/calculate-postage-delivery-times/#/. Alternatively, it may be cheaper to just pay for extra baggage on your flight if you are only taking a few additional suitcases.
 
If anyone else has any other recommendations we'd be interested to hear as well!

This is very anecdotal and based on my experience alone, but I am pivot and I got my case number after 29 days. On one of the calls I made to NVC, the rep told me when I asked how long he thought I would have to wait that "because your case is electronic (i.e. pivot), it should be faster that non-electronic." 

Nevermind. It is all fixed.
 
WE DID IT. Case Complete Today

August 11th, so 12 days ago. Not too bad of a wait time!

Just got our CC email! Yipee!!!!

Excellent news! 

You were right! I received my Welcome Letter last night and paid fees this morning! 

Excellent news! Hopefully that means my case number isn't too far away now - thank you!

Hi Keeley... I was told the same thing, my case was loaded but they had to do final checks to make sure all the info was correct... it was a day or two after that I got my case number 

It took 6 weeks for me which is still quicker than some people, I have no complaints as long as my case progresses. Its hard to just wait and do nothing but it will pass ... hang in there  

Do you mean you were expecting a $3,000 refund on your return?  Just because you provide an ITIN would not be a reason for the IRS to “keep your refund”, but your filing status does impact what you owe or what you are due. 
 
I can’t know what the outcome would be for you under a different filing status because everyone’s situation is different. The reason you might have a higher refund due with one status could be because there are different tax brackets and rates applicable to different filing statuses. If you visit the IRS website, and specifically read through Publication 501 you can find out which statuses you might qualify for. If you’re unsure of what the implications are for your situation, I would consult with a tax expert. Good luck!

I think that’s right. I believe you would need an ITIN in order to claim an exemption for your spouse.  But again, I’m not a tax expert, so I recommend you double check this with a reliable source!  

There are other rules as well regarding the portion of expenses you pay (at least 50%) for the household and whether you are considered married for tax purposes (there are special rules on this point as @Sugarlegetiti and I were discussing yesterday  ).
 
This is a screenshot from IRS Pub 501, which details the current rules: https://www.irs.gov/publications/p501#en_US_2017_publink1000220775


 
If you read through Publication 501 section on Head of Household, you can click through the relevant links to find which apply to your situation. Hope this helps!

Interesting. My apologies, I'm just quoting the general rules per the IRS website https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/correct-filing-status (this is a more up-to-date link than the one I previously shared). You must have qualified for one of the special rules they mention that allow for HoH filing. For anyone keen to dig into the detail, all the rules are laid out in Publication 501: https://www.irs.gov/publications/p501#en_US_2017_publink1000220818.

You can definitely file as married filing separately if your spouse doesn't have a SSN. I would assume you could later amend it, but I would speak to a CPA or tax attorney as I haven't researched that particular scenario. If you amend later to file as married filing jointly, you are potentially eligible additional deductions and exemptions that could be beneficial to you, but your spouse's foreign income would also be subject to US taxation. There are a couple of ways you can avoid paying tax on foreign income (through the Foreign Earned Income Tax Exclusion or the Foreign Tax Credit) but there are limits on these. Basically, it all depends on you and your spouse's specific financial situation whether it would be more beneficial for you to file as Married Filing Jointly or Separately. Sorry I can't be of more help on this point!

I just called NVC and got confirmation that my case was completed today. Now waiting for the last phase of this tedious process!!!

I'm not sure what to tell you on this as I submitted my return with the status of Married Filing Separately after consulting with a tax specialist. I left the SSN/ITIN field blank and the return was accepted. Like I said, you do need to file a paper return when you do this and I did attach a statement explaining the situation.
 
Have you already filed your taxes and the return was rejected or did the IRS rep give you that information when you called prior to filing? The only other thing I can think of is there may be an issue with your exemptions - did you tick the box to claim an exemption for your spouse? I left that box blank because you can only claim one for your spouse when filing as MFS if your spouse had no gross income, is not filing a return, and isn't someone else's dependent. My husband does have gross income, it just isn't subject to US tax. I believe that if I claimed an exemption for him it could cause a problem.
 
While I am a CPA, I don't specialize in income tax so I can't formally advise you. Have you considered consulting with a tax specialist? If you qualify for Head of Household, you could do that as well, there are just specific requirements you must meet (for example: you and your spouse can't be living together, you need qualifying dependents, you must be paying >50% of the household expenses. Check all the rules at Publication 501 to make sure you don't choose that status in error: https://www.irs.gov/publications/p501#en_US_2017_publink1000220775).
 
Good luck!

Same hopefully we get case complete in few weeks amen
 
Case number is the most frustrating part of the process from uscis approvaleverything else is faster mine was assign three weeks and five days but didn't receive until eight week hopefully you will get yours sooner once the usscis change to department of state call and confirm then wait four weeks start calling remind them nvc is time to take action not wait time like uscis

It's important to note that you have to be considered unmarried for tax purposes to file as Head of Household. If you are actually married, you have to meet certain rules to be considered unmarried from a tax perspective. If you and your spouse have not lived together for the last 6 months, then you could qualify to meet that rule. I highly recommend checking out Publication 501 and/or consulting with a tax attorney to make sure you don't select that filing status in error: https://www.irs.gov/publications/p501#en_US_2017_publink1000220775

I agree you can definitely file as married filing separately with no SSN or ITIN. My spouse is the US Citizen and that is how our US Accountant recommended to file. Have been completing US tax Returns with “married filing separately” electronically through accountant for a few years now with no issues. Also as mentioned we took advantage of the Foreign Tax Credit. And yes there are income limits but it does help though. Keeley, I agree with everything you said it depends on you specific financial situation. Yes, speaking to an accountant would be the way to go for sure. My spouse just received his Refund for 2017 😊 a few days ago. Hope everything works out for you on whatever you choose to do.