U.S. citizen spouse filing taxes

[chanteuse]

Hi everyone, my husband is trying to file his taxes for 2014 but is having trouble since i don't live in the U.S. and i dont have an SSN. Has anyone come across this challenge? How do you file U.S. taxes when you're in the middle of the immigration process. Our immigration petition is currently with the NVC. thank you!

[rayb]

Your husband can file as "married/separate," and show your name and "NRA" in lieu of your SSN, and paper file (as electronic filing won't be accepted with "NRA").

He can also apply for an ITIN for you, using form W-7, after the W-7 corroborating documents (passport copy) are authenticated by an Acceptance Agent, and paper-filing to the ITIN IRS address in Texas.

He can also apply as "single," with the intention of amending his return later when you are assigned an SSN.

The easiest way to move forward, however, is for your husband to submit his 2013 tax return (or IRS transcript), and include copies of his W2 forms for both 2013 and 2014, with an explanation that the 2014 tax return is not yet filed.

--Ray B

Hi everyone, my husband is trying to file his taxes for 2014 but is having trouble since i don't live in the U.S. and i dont have an SSN. Has anyone come across this challenge? How do you file U.S. taxes when you're in the middle of the immigration process. Our immigration petition is currently with the NVC. thank you!

[chanteuse]

Thanks Ray. I am a CPA in canada so i feel dumb for not knowing how to file the most basic personal taxes in the U.S.! Can i paper file via turbo tax? My husband is terrified im going to do something wrong and he'll be audited. He's in Washington state so he only needs to file federal taxes...is this only form 1040 and that's it?

[rayb]

Yes, TurboTax does provide option for printing hardcopy and paper-filing.

Attached schedules will depend on needed writeoffs, credits, business information.

--Ray B

Thanks Ray. I am a CPA in canada so i feel dumb for not knowing how to file the most basic personal taxes in the U.S.! Can i paper file via turbo tax? My husband is terrified im going to do something wrong and he'll be audited. He's in Washington state so he only needs to file federal taxes...is this only form 1040 and that's it?

[chanteuse]

Thanks again Ray. I forgot to mention all he has is his W-2. So pretty straightforward I'm guessing.

[rayb]

Chanteuse,

Yes, Turbotax provides an option at end of the consumer program to go with EFiling or print out for a paper file direction. When paper-filing, so long as you have the correct IRS address for his type of return (owe or claim money) and his state, you just send the signed Form 1040, any appropriate schedules, copy of W2 form(s).

--Ray B

Thanks again Ray. I forgot to mention all he has is his W-2. So pretty straightforward I'm guessing.