Taxes
Feb 13th 2004, 2:44 am
#16
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 4
Re: Taxes
Originally posted by Rete
You're married so you have to file as married. Even if you were to file married, separate, as opposed to married, joint, you still have to name your wife and give her social security number. In lieu of a ss# you can use an individual taxpayers identification number obtained through the IRS. Someone on the forum recently posted that IRS changed the rules and that you can apply for this at the same time as you file your tax returns. You might want to check out the correctness of that statement.
Rete
You're married so you have to file as married. Even if you were to file married, separate, as opposed to married, joint, you still have to name your wife and give her social security number. In lieu of a ss# you can use an individual taxpayers identification number obtained through the IRS. Someone on the forum recently posted that IRS changed the rules and that you can apply for this at the same time as you file your tax returns. You might want to check out the correctness of that statement.
Rete
Melany
Mar 4th 2004, 4:01 am
#17
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: Boulder, CO/Morocco
Posts: 37
Re: Taxes
Originally posted by Mrtravelkay
Rete wrote:
> Originally posted by Stormy
>
>>Can I put my wife on my tax
>
> returns for this year even though she has never been in the United
> States. She has also never had any income in Morocco. Can I put her as
> filing jointly. I know I can't put her as a dependent, but I would like
> to have her name on the tax returns. I called IRS but they said someone
> would contact me in about 14 days. Thanks
>
>
> You're married so
> you have to file as married.
NO... married people living apart do not always have to file as married.
This is in the instructions.
Rete wrote:
> Originally posted by Stormy
>
>>Can I put my wife on my tax
>
> returns for this year even though she has never been in the United
> States. She has also never had any income in Morocco. Can I put her as
> filing jointly. I know I can't put her as a dependent, but I would like
> to have her name on the tax returns. I called IRS but they said someone
> would contact me in about 14 days. Thanks
>
>
> You're married so
> you have to file as married.
NO... married people living apart do not always have to file as married.
This is in the instructions.
Whew!!! Jumping in a ittle late here, but glad to see this comment! I called the IRS myself asking how to file, (and I didn't wait 14 days, I got someone immediately!) Gave her all the specs, when we married, where he is (Morocco, never been to US) whatever she asked. I was told as long as we did not live together in the last 6 months I did not have to file married. It was in my best interest then to file single. So I did!
Mar 4th 2004, 5:54 am
#18
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Taxes
coloradogirl wrote:
>
> Whew!!! Jumping in a ittle late here, but
> glad to see this comment! I called the IRS myself asking how to file,
> (and I didn't wait 14 days, I got someone immediately!) Gave her all
> the specs, when we married, where he is (Morocco, never been to US)
> whatever she asked. I was told as long as we did not live together in
> the last 6 months I did not have to file married. It was in my best
> interest then to file single. So I did!
Wait a minute... Unless you gave her all of your income and deduction
information over the phone, how would she know it was better for you to
file as single? Since he is in Morocco, I would guess that all of his
income probably would have been excluded and you would have been left
with 0 income added from him AND the ability to get the exemption for
one more person, and use the higher standard deduction amount for
married filing jointly (unless you itemize)... There is a good chance
"married filing jointly" would have resulted in lower taxes..... If you
file jointly, he could be considered as a resident alien (by IRS).
>
> Whew!!! Jumping in a ittle late here, but
> glad to see this comment! I called the IRS myself asking how to file,
> (and I didn't wait 14 days, I got someone immediately!) Gave her all
> the specs, when we married, where he is (Morocco, never been to US)
> whatever she asked. I was told as long as we did not live together in
> the last 6 months I did not have to file married. It was in my best
> interest then to file single. So I did!
Wait a minute... Unless you gave her all of your income and deduction
information over the phone, how would she know it was better for you to
file as single? Since he is in Morocco, I would guess that all of his
income probably would have been excluded and you would have been left
with 0 income added from him AND the ability to get the exemption for
one more person, and use the higher standard deduction amount for
married filing jointly (unless you itemize)... There is a good chance
"married filing jointly" would have resulted in lower taxes..... If you
file jointly, he could be considered as a resident alien (by IRS).
Mar 4th 2004, 7:27 am
#19
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Taxes
In article <[email protected]> ,
[email protected] says...
> coloradogirl wrote:
>
> >
> > Whew!!! Jumping in a ittle late here, but
> > glad to see this comment! I called the IRS myself asking how to file,
> > (and I didn't wait 14 days, I got someone immediately!) Gave her all
> > the specs, when we married, where he is (Morocco, never been to US)
> > whatever she asked. I was told as long as we did not live together in
> > the last 6 months I did not have to file married. It was in my best
> > interest then to file single. So I did!
>
> Wait a minute... Unless you gave her all of your income and deduction
> information over the phone, how would she know it was better for you to
> file as single? Since he is in Morocco, I would guess that all of his
> income probably would have been excluded and you would have been left
> with 0 income added from him AND the ability to get the exemption for
> one more person, and use the higher standard deduction amount for
> married filing jointly (unless you itemize)... There is a good chance
> "married filing jointly" would have resulted in lower taxes..... If you
> file jointly, he could be considered as a resident alien (by IRS).
>
Exactly. Generally filling jointly has adverse affect BUT if one spouse
didn't work (or can use foreign tax income credit) filling jointly might
have possitive affect.
AP
[email protected] says...
> coloradogirl wrote:
>
> >
> > Whew!!! Jumping in a ittle late here, but
> > glad to see this comment! I called the IRS myself asking how to file,
> > (and I didn't wait 14 days, I got someone immediately!) Gave her all
> > the specs, when we married, where he is (Morocco, never been to US)
> > whatever she asked. I was told as long as we did not live together in
> > the last 6 months I did not have to file married. It was in my best
> > interest then to file single. So I did!
>
> Wait a minute... Unless you gave her all of your income and deduction
> information over the phone, how would she know it was better for you to
> file as single? Since he is in Morocco, I would guess that all of his
> income probably would have been excluded and you would have been left
> with 0 income added from him AND the ability to get the exemption for
> one more person, and use the higher standard deduction amount for
> married filing jointly (unless you itemize)... There is a good chance
> "married filing jointly" would have resulted in lower taxes..... If you
> file jointly, he could be considered as a resident alien (by IRS).
>
Exactly. Generally filling jointly has adverse affect BUT if one spouse
didn't work (or can use foreign tax income credit) filling jointly might
have possitive affect.
AP
Mar 4th 2004, 10:23 am
#20
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: Boulder, CO/Morocco
Posts: 37
Re: Taxes
Originally posted by Mtravelkay
coloradogirl wrote:
>
> Whew!!! Jumping in a ittle late here, but
> glad to see this comment! I called the IRS myself asking how to file,
> (and I didn't wait 14 days, I got someone immediately!) Gave her all
> the specs, when we married, where he is (Morocco, never been to US)
> whatever she asked. I was told as long as we did not live together in
> the last 6 months I did not have to file married. It was in my best
> interest then to file single. So I did!
Wait a minute... Unless you gave her all of your income and deduction
information over the phone, how would she know it was better for you to
file as single? Since he is in Morocco, I would guess that all of his
income probably would have been excluded and you would have been left
with 0 income added from him AND the ability to get the exemption for
one more person, and use the higher standard deduction amount for
married filing jointly (unless you itemize)... There is a good chance
"married filing jointly" would have resulted in lower taxes..... If you
file jointly, he could be considered as a resident alien (by IRS).
coloradogirl wrote:
>
> Whew!!! Jumping in a ittle late here, but
> glad to see this comment! I called the IRS myself asking how to file,
> (and I didn't wait 14 days, I got someone immediately!) Gave her all
> the specs, when we married, where he is (Morocco, never been to US)
> whatever she asked. I was told as long as we did not live together in
> the last 6 months I did not have to file married. It was in my best
> interest then to file single. So I did!
Wait a minute... Unless you gave her all of your income and deduction
information over the phone, how would she know it was better for you to
file as single? Since he is in Morocco, I would guess that all of his
income probably would have been excluded and you would have been left
with 0 income added from him AND the ability to get the exemption for
one more person, and use the higher standard deduction amount for
married filing jointly (unless you itemize)... There is a good chance
"married filing jointly" would have resulted in lower taxes..... If you
file jointly, he could be considered as a resident alien (by IRS).
Mar 4th 2004, 12:04 pm
#21
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Taxes
coloradogirl wrote:
> Originally posted by Mtravelkay
>
>>coloradogirl wrote:
>
>
>>>Whew!!! Jumping in a ittle late here, but
>>glad to see this comment! I called the IRS myself asking how to
>
> file,
>
>>>(and I didn't wait 14 days, I got someone
>
> immediately!) Gave her all
>
>>>the specs, when we married,
>
> where he is (Morocco, never been to US)
>
>>>whatever she asked.
>
> I was told as long as we did not live together in
>
>>>the last
>
> 6 months I did not have to file married. It was in my best
>
>>interest then to file single. So I did!
>>Wait a minute...
>
> Unless you gave her all of your income and deduction
>
>>information over
>
> the phone, how would she know it was better for you to
>
>>file as
>
> single? Since he is in Morocco, I would guess that all of his
>
>>income
>
> probably would have been excluded and you would have been left
>
>>with 0
>
> income added from him AND the ability to get the exemption for
>
>>one
>
> more person, and use the higher standard deduction amount for
>
>>married
>
> filing jointly (unless you itemize)... There is a good chance
>
> "married filing jointly" would have resulted in lower taxes..... If you
>
>
>>file jointly, he could be considered as a resident alien (by IRS).
>
>
>
> Pardon my error. It was 'head of household' I could file
> because I still have 1 son living with me, not as a dependent, but I
> provide more than half of housing, etc. and I wrongfully implied the IRS
> lady told me it was in my best interest to file single. I decided that
> for myself after she told me I didn't have to file married. Thankfully I
> have a professional do my taxes and I had forgotten I filed 'hoh' last
> year too. Again, pardon my error. I do know better....
>
>
OK, but why was this better than Married, filing jointly?
If you didn't itemize, you lost out on a higher standard deduction
amount. Married filing jointly has a higher standard deduction.
Additionally, even if you did or did not itemize, you lose out on his
exemption. So, instead of HOH with 2, you would be married with 3
exemptions, and probably no additional income. Was IRS aware of this or
did you just ask if you had to file as married? I am not trying to scold
you, just trying to make sure you didn't pay more taxes than you needed
to. (Yes, I am assuming he makes less than the foreign income exclusion
amount or that foreign taxes paid are greater than US taxes that would
be owed on his income after the excluded amount)
> Originally posted by Mtravelkay
>
>>coloradogirl wrote:
>
>
>>>Whew!!! Jumping in a ittle late here, but
>>glad to see this comment! I called the IRS myself asking how to
>
> file,
>
>>>(and I didn't wait 14 days, I got someone
>
> immediately!) Gave her all
>
>>>the specs, when we married,
>
> where he is (Morocco, never been to US)
>
>>>whatever she asked.
>
> I was told as long as we did not live together in
>
>>>the last
>
> 6 months I did not have to file married. It was in my best
>
>>interest then to file single. So I did!
>>Wait a minute...
>
> Unless you gave her all of your income and deduction
>
>>information over
>
> the phone, how would she know it was better for you to
>
>>file as
>
> single? Since he is in Morocco, I would guess that all of his
>
>>income
>
> probably would have been excluded and you would have been left
>
>>with 0
>
> income added from him AND the ability to get the exemption for
>
>>one
>
> more person, and use the higher standard deduction amount for
>
>>married
>
> filing jointly (unless you itemize)... There is a good chance
>
> "married filing jointly" would have resulted in lower taxes..... If you
>
>
>>file jointly, he could be considered as a resident alien (by IRS).
>
>
>
> Pardon my error. It was 'head of household' I could file
> because I still have 1 son living with me, not as a dependent, but I
> provide more than half of housing, etc. and I wrongfully implied the IRS
> lady told me it was in my best interest to file single. I decided that
> for myself after she told me I didn't have to file married. Thankfully I
> have a professional do my taxes and I had forgotten I filed 'hoh' last
> year too. Again, pardon my error. I do know better....
>
>
OK, but why was this better than Married, filing jointly?
If you didn't itemize, you lost out on a higher standard deduction
amount. Married filing jointly has a higher standard deduction.
Additionally, even if you did or did not itemize, you lose out on his
exemption. So, instead of HOH with 2, you would be married with 3
exemptions, and probably no additional income. Was IRS aware of this or
did you just ask if you had to file as married? I am not trying to scold
you, just trying to make sure you didn't pay more taxes than you needed
to. (Yes, I am assuming he makes less than the foreign income exclusion
amount or that foreign taxes paid are greater than US taxes that would
be owed on his income after the excluded amount)
Mar 9th 2004, 3:15 am
#22
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: VA - Egypt
Posts: 114
Re: Taxes
I'm glad I found this thread, I've been reading up on this topic through the IRS website, but I am still confused.
Here's my situation:
My spouse is in Egypt, and has no income; has never been here in the last year (2003); and we were married July 2003.
I know I can file married, joint, but I read somewhere that that requires a signed statement from the both of us "chosing" to consider her a resident alien for tax purposes, true?
My other option is filing as single, but my concern with this choice is that I may send the 2003 tax returns to the Consulate in Cairo as further proof of income. And knowing Cairo, I'm worried they'd make a big deal about filing as single when we are married.
Also, which of the two options would be more advantageous (e.g. yielding a bigger return)?
Any advice?
Here's my situation:
My spouse is in Egypt, and has no income; has never been here in the last year (2003); and we were married July 2003.
I know I can file married, joint, but I read somewhere that that requires a signed statement from the both of us "chosing" to consider her a resident alien for tax purposes, true?
My other option is filing as single, but my concern with this choice is that I may send the 2003 tax returns to the Consulate in Cairo as further proof of income. And knowing Cairo, I'm worried they'd make a big deal about filing as single when we are married.
Also, which of the two options would be more advantageous (e.g. yielding a bigger return)?
Any advice?
Mar 9th 2004, 4:00 am
#23
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,228
Re: Taxes
Bigger refund will happen if your have two people on your form, you and your husband.
I do not know whether that is allowed, as he does not live here.
I do not know whether that is allowed, as he does not live here.
Originally posted by masri
I'm glad I found this thread, I've been reading up on this topic through the IRS website, but I am still confused.
Here's my situation:
My spouse is in Egypt, and has no income; has never been here in the last year (2003); and we were married July 2003.
I know I can file married, joint, but I read somewhere that that requires a signed statement from the both of us "chosing" to consider her a resident alien for tax purposes, true?
My other option is filing as single, but my concern with this choice is that I may send the 2003 tax returns to the Consulate in Cairo as further proof of income. And knowing Cairo, I'm worried they'd make a big deal about filing as single when we are married.
Also, which of the two options would be more advantageous (e.g. yielding a bigger return)?
Any advice?
I'm glad I found this thread, I've been reading up on this topic through the IRS website, but I am still confused.
Here's my situation:
My spouse is in Egypt, and has no income; has never been here in the last year (2003); and we were married July 2003.
I know I can file married, joint, but I read somewhere that that requires a signed statement from the both of us "chosing" to consider her a resident alien for tax purposes, true?
My other option is filing as single, but my concern with this choice is that I may send the 2003 tax returns to the Consulate in Cairo as further proof of income. And knowing Cairo, I'm worried they'd make a big deal about filing as single when we are married.
Also, which of the two options would be more advantageous (e.g. yielding a bigger return)?
Any advice?
Mar 9th 2004, 4:02 am
#24
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: VA - Egypt
Posts: 114
Re: Taxes
She-- I'm the USC husband, sorry I didn't make that clear earlier. Thanks for the reply.
Originally posted by DCMark
Bigger refund will happen if your have two people on your form, you and your husband.
I do not know whether that is allowed, as he does not live here.
Bigger refund will happen if your have two people on your form, you and your husband.
I do not know whether that is allowed, as he does not live here.
Mar 9th 2004, 5:47 am
#25
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 4
Re: Taxes
A husband and wife may file a joint return even if only one had income or if they did not live together all year. However, both persons must sign the return. If you file a joint return for 2003, you may not, after the due date for filing that return, amend it to file as married filing separately.
See Publ 519 p10 for a nonresident spouse treated as a resident.
Melany
See Publ 519 p10 for a nonresident spouse treated as a resident.
Melany
Originally posted by masri
I'm glad I found this thread, I've been reading up on this topic through the IRS website, but I am still confused.
Here's my situation:
My spouse is in Egypt, and has no income; has never been here in the last year (2003); and we were married July 2003.
I know I can file married, joint, but I read somewhere that that requires a signed statement from the both of us "chosing" to consider her a resident alien for tax purposes, true?
My other option is filing as single, but my concern with this choice is that I may send the 2003 tax returns to the Consulate in Cairo as further proof of income. And knowing Cairo, I'm worried they'd make a big deal about filing as single when we are married.
Also, which of the two options would be more advantageous (e.g. yielding a bigger return)?
Any advice?
I'm glad I found this thread, I've been reading up on this topic through the IRS website, but I am still confused.
Here's my situation:
My spouse is in Egypt, and has no income; has never been here in the last year (2003); and we were married July 2003.
I know I can file married, joint, but I read somewhere that that requires a signed statement from the both of us "chosing" to consider her a resident alien for tax purposes, true?
My other option is filing as single, but my concern with this choice is that I may send the 2003 tax returns to the Consulate in Cairo as further proof of income. And knowing Cairo, I'm worried they'd make a big deal about filing as single when we are married.
Also, which of the two options would be more advantageous (e.g. yielding a bigger return)?
Any advice?
Mar 9th 2004, 6:50 am
#26
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: VA - Egypt
Posts: 114
Re: Taxes
Since it's not feasbile to have her sign the return, can I file married, separate? And in that case, she does not have to file because she has no income.
Can anyone confirm?
Can anyone confirm?
Originally posted by MelanyDecker
A husband and wife may file a joint return even if only one had income or if they did not live together all year. However, both persons must sign the return. If you file a joint return for 2003, you may not, after the due date for filing that return, amend it to file as married filing separately.
See Publ 519 p10 for a nonresident spouse treated as a resident.
Melany
A husband and wife may file a joint return even if only one had income or if they did not live together all year. However, both persons must sign the return. If you file a joint return for 2003, you may not, after the due date for filing that return, amend it to file as married filing separately.
See Publ 519 p10 for a nonresident spouse treated as a resident.
Melany
Mar 9th 2004, 7:44 am
#27
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 4
Re: Taxes
Where one spouse files a separate return and the other spouse does not file, the filing spouse may blaim the non-filing spouse's exemption, if the non-filing spouse had no gross income at all and cannot be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer. You would then claim just your standard deduction, unless you itemise.
Melany
Melany
Originally posted by masri
Since it's not feasbile to have her sign the return, can I file married, separate? And in that case, she does not have to file because she has no income.
Can anyone confirm?
Since it's not feasbile to have her sign the return, can I file married, separate? And in that case, she does not have to file because she has no income.
Can anyone confirm?
Mar 9th 2004, 9:40 am
#28
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Virginia / Russia
Posts: 313
Re: Taxes
Originally posted by Stormy
Can I put my wife on my tax returns for this year even though she has never been in the United States. She has also never had any income in Morocco. Can I put her as filing jointly. I know I can't put her as a dependent, but I would like to have her name on the tax returns. I called IRS but they said someone would contact me in about 14 days. Thanks
Can I put my wife on my tax returns for this year even though she has never been in the United States. She has also never had any income in Morocco. Can I put her as filing jointly. I know I can't put her as a dependent, but I would like to have her name on the tax returns. I called IRS but they said someone would contact me in about 14 days. Thanks
start your research here:
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/...=96734,00.html
Mar 9th 2004, 9:53 am
#29
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Taxes
masri wrote:
> Since it's not feasbile to have her sign the return, can I file married,
> separate? And in that case, she does not have to file because she has no
> income.
Why is it not feasible?
If you file electronically, she doesn't sign when you submit it.
(except for our state return which was signed by using the code on cards
received in the mail)
> Since it's not feasbile to have her sign the return, can I file married,
> separate? And in that case, she does not have to file because she has no
> income.
Why is it not feasible?
If you file electronically, she doesn't sign when you submit it.
(except for our state return which was signed by using the code on cards
received in the mail)
Mar 9th 2004, 10:31 am
#30
Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,049
Re: Taxes
masri,
Why is it not feasible to have your wife file a joint return? She has no hands? How did she sign her G-325A?
Of course you can file married-separate. Your contribution to controlling the deficit.
Regards, JEff
Why is it not feasible to have your wife file a joint return? She has no hands? How did she sign her G-325A?
Of course you can file married-separate. Your contribution to controlling the deficit.
Regards, JEff
Originally posted by masri
Since it's not feasbile to have her sign the return, can I file married, separate? And in that case, she does not have to file because she has no income.
Can anyone confirm?
Since it's not feasbile to have her sign the return, can I file married, separate? And in that case, she does not have to file because she has no income.
Can anyone confirm?
