ITIN Number for Taxes??

[Ashley_Armando 1]

I do my taxes with Tax Act Online (filing married separately) and it won't allow me to file with out my husband's SSN, which of course he doesn't have since he is not yet here (we are at USCIS stage for IR/CR right now). So I am planning on getting him an ITIN number.

Anybody know if Tax Act would still accept a ITIN number in place of the SSN?? (I don't want to have to restart my taxes over with some other service or on my own, so I'd really like to get this resolved with TA.)

And is the only way to get that number through filling out the F1335, printing, and mailing it in?? Or can I call the IRS to get give the info, they do whatever to get me the number?? I greatly appreciate any advice from someone who has been there done that with that. Thanks!!

[Inky 1,110]

There is generally a spot to put the ITIN number, you wouldn't usually put it in the SSN block. Some forms have an box or area to put NR for non-resident to file without ssn or ITIN.

[Wayne and Claudia 40]

Unfortunately you have to have the tax form filled out in order to apply for the ITIN so you are in some sort of catch 22 here. If it does not let you over-ride the SSN option then you may have to go a traditional route and go to a tax planner or do them yourself. Once you have the tax form completed you can take it to an authorized agent for them to verify the documents and apply for the ITIN or mail it to the special address in Austin, TX.

[Me and my wife 9]

If your spouse lives outside the United states

I went to see tax professional and H & R block to ask issues about "Filing Status". They recommend to file as a "filing single". When she comes to USA, then file amendment for tax return. I have read people planning to apply for ITIN number. A person has to be presentin USA to apply for ITIN. Besides, it can take upto 6 weeks as the IRS has to go through different documnentation like different types of identification. Thus the best bet would be filing as single and then file amendment when the spouse gets in USA.

[Amy and Nick 37]

Surely the 2 options are

Married, filing jointly

OR

Married, filing separately

You are not single, so dont file as single.

[Val and Gary 29]

It's quite easy really, if you follow these steps. You need to download TURBO TAX 2010, you cannot e-file using an ITIN, but it's straight forward with a bit of reading.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/294258-instructions-for-filing-taxes-with-spouse-outside-of-the-country/

[Ashley_Armando 1]

Thanks so much! This sounds like the least hassle way to do it.

If your spouse lives outside the United states

I went to see tax professional and H & R block to ask issues about "Filing Status". They recommend to file as a "filing single". When she comes to USA, then file amendment for tax return. I have read people planning to apply for ITIN number. A person has to be presentin USA to apply for ITIN. Besides, it can take upto 6 weeks as the IRS has to go through different documnentation like different types of identification. Thus the best bet would be filing as single and then file amendment when the spouse gets in USA.

[Me and my wife 9]

Thanks so much! This sounds like the least hassle way to do it.

I looked the posting from other people. They disagreed with me. I was getting a different answer from different people. Some said single , some married filing seperately and other jointly. Today I went to IRS assistance center and talked with tax professional around half an hour. She told me that I have to file either filing jointly or married filing seperately. She told me:

1 GEt the passport copy notorized

2 Fill 1040 form and should be signed by both husband and wife

3 Get w-7 filled and signed from spouse

4 Submit w-7 along with 1040 at IRS assistance center or by mail to IRS

I am sorry I posted wrong information based on the H & R block and tax professional. When I asked her if I will have penalty, she told me that filing wrong information is subject to examination. Then I realized that it is better to file jointly as I get more return and a good proof that we are married. That is my thought. It is up to you.

[LotofPatience 65]

A person need NOT to be in the U.S to apply for ITIN.

Otherwise, I would have failed to get my wife's ITIN in 2007 when my wife was in India!

Loto

[LotofPatience 65]

I looked the posting from other people. They disagreed with me. I was getting a different answer from different people. Some said single , some married filing seperately and other jointly. Today I went to IRS assistance center and talked with tax professional around half an hour. She told me that I have to file either filing jointly or married filing seperately. She told me:

1 GEt the passport copy notorized

2 Fill 1040 form and should be signed by both husband and wife

3 Get w-7 filled and signed from spouse

4 Submit w-7 along with 1040 at IRS assistance center or by mail to IRS

I am sorry I posted wrong information based on the H & R block and tax professional. When I asked her if I will have penalty, she told me that filing wrong information is subject to examination. Then I realized that it is better to file jointly as I get more return and a good proof that we are married. That is my thought. It is up to you.

This is correct

Once you are married, file as MFS or MFJ.

Loto

[cactus john 1]

I filed mine yesterday w/o a SSN or ITIN ( for the wife ) Filled out a W7 and went to the local IRS office.

No problems, just left the SSN area blank. ( it was pain trying to get the form to print w/o a SSN or ITIN.. I used the H&R bock online 1040, Fed and State)

IRS told me it would be a minimum of 16 weeks before I would get the return. The 1040 form along with the W7 goes to Austin, TX for a ITIN assignment and then to the regional IRS office.

And yes..if you are married, you need to either file as Married filing seperatly ( sp) or Married filing jointly. ( I'm going to have to amend my 08 & 09 returns to reflect that..which is going to be another pain since Turbo tax no longer has that program online..you have to download it seperatly..man, I just can't spell that correctly today..)

Now I'm trying to get info from AZ on how I file state w/o either a SSN or ITIN.

[LotofPatience 65]

State also will be paper filing this time with blank ITIN.

Some states will advise you to put some codes like NRA etc. It will be useful to the state if you can put a cover letter, a copy of Federal return to show that ITIN is going to be used this year.

Loto

[Me and my wife 9]

I filed mine yesterday w/o a SSN or ITIN ( for the wife ) Filled out a W7 and went to the local IRS office.

No problems, just left the SSN area blank. ( it was pain trying to get the form to print w/o a SSN or ITIN.. I used the H&R bock online 1040, Fed and State)

IRS told me it would be a minimum of 16 weeks before I would get the return. The 1040 form along with the W7 goes to Austin, TX for a ITIN assignment and then to the regional IRS office.

And yes..if you are married, you need to either file as Married filing seperatly ( sp) or Married filing jointly. ( I'm going to have to amend my 08 & 09 returns to reflect that..which is going to be another pain since Turbo tax no longer has that program online..you have to download it seperatly..man, I just can't spell that correctly today..)

Now I'm trying to get info from AZ on how I file state w/o either a SSN or ITIN.

What is your filing status? W-7 is supposed to be signed by spouse. You confused me. Can you e+laborate

[Ashley_Armando 1]

Thank you for the new correct information!

I looked the posting from other people. They disagreed with me. I was getting a different answer from different people. Some said single , some married filing seperately and other jointly. Today I went to IRS assistance center and talked with tax professional around half an hour. She told me that I have to file either filing jointly or married filing seperately. She told me:

1 GEt the passport copy notorized

2 Fill 1040 form and should be signed by both husband and wife

3 Get w-7 filled and signed from spouse

4 Submit w-7 along with 1040 at IRS assistance center or by mail to IRS

I am sorry I posted wrong information based on the H & R block and tax professional. When I asked her if I will have penalty, she told me that filing wrong information is subject to examination. Then I realized that it is better to file jointly as I get more return and a good proof that we are married. That is my thought. It is up to you.

[cactus john 1]

What is your filing status? W-7 is supposed to be signed by spouse. You confused me. Can you e+laborate

Married filing jointly.

Attached W7 to federal form with wifes signature. Went to IRS with copies of wifes passport and visa. Wife was with me and had her passports. IRS agent gave me back the copies and asked for the passport and copy of marriage certificate ( and translation into english ) She made copies of passport and handed back marriage certificate. Stated she just needed to see that we were actually married.

Attached W7 to return and wished us a nice day.