Impossible getting an ITIN for a spouse while not in the USA?
#1
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 39
Impossible getting an ITIN for a spouse while not in the USA?
Hi!
I am waiting for a green card, and my American spouse and I currently live outside of the USA (Switzerland). In the mean time I would like to start working towards converting a European teaching licence to a Californian one. A requirement for this is to have a SSN (Social Security Number) or an ITIN (Individual Tax-payer Identifiation Number). I can't get a SSN since I'm not a citizen, but was told by the California credentialling authority that I may be eligible for an ITIN. In the instructions for form W-7, it seems like for years after 2017, the only way for me to get an ITIN is if I file my own tax return. I'm assuming there is no way for me to do this since I don't have a job in the USA? Any other ideas on how to get an ITIN?
Thanks!
I am waiting for a green card, and my American spouse and I currently live outside of the USA (Switzerland). In the mean time I would like to start working towards converting a European teaching licence to a Californian one. A requirement for this is to have a SSN (Social Security Number) or an ITIN (Individual Tax-payer Identifiation Number). I can't get a SSN since I'm not a citizen, but was told by the California credentialling authority that I may be eligible for an ITIN. In the instructions for form W-7, it seems like for years after 2017, the only way for me to get an ITIN is if I file my own tax return. I'm assuming there is no way for me to do this since I don't have a job in the USA? Any other ideas on how to get an ITIN?
Thanks!
#2
Re: Impossible getting an ITIN for a spouse while not in the USA?
There is nothing to prevent your USC spouse from filing a "married filing jointly" tax return, though I don't know for certain if that would result in a TIN being assigned to you, but I think it would. .... Assuming your spouse has already filed for 2021, he/she could file an amended return.
#3
Re: Impossible getting an ITIN for a spouse while not in the USA?
Rene
#5
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Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 39
Re: Impossible getting an ITIN for a spouse while not in the USA?
There is nothing to prevent your USC spouse from filing a "married filing jointly" tax return, though I don't know for certain if that would result in a TIN being assigned to you, but I think it would. .... Assuming your spouse has already filed for 2021, he/she could file an amended return.
#7
Re: Impossible getting an ITIN for a spouse while not in the USA?
Hi!
I am waiting for a green card, and my American spouse and I currently live outside of the USA (Switzerland). In the mean time I would like to start working towards converting a European teaching licence to a Californian one. A requirement for this is to have a SSN (Social Security Number) or an ITIN (Individual Tax-payer Identifiation Number). I can't get a SSN since I'm not a citizen, but was told by the California credentialling authority that I may be eligible for an ITIN. In the instructions for form W-7, it seems like for years after 2017, the only way for me to get an ITIN is if I file my own tax return. I'm assuming there is no way for me to do this since I don't have a job in the USA? Any other ideas on how to get an ITIN?
Thanks!
I am waiting for a green card, and my American spouse and I currently live outside of the USA (Switzerland). In the mean time I would like to start working towards converting a European teaching licence to a Californian one. A requirement for this is to have a SSN (Social Security Number) or an ITIN (Individual Tax-payer Identifiation Number). I can't get a SSN since I'm not a citizen, but was told by the California credentialling authority that I may be eligible for an ITIN. In the instructions for form W-7, it seems like for years after 2017, the only way for me to get an ITIN is if I file my own tax return. I'm assuming there is no way for me to do this since I don't have a job in the USA? Any other ideas on how to get an ITIN?
Thanks!
#8
Re: Impossible getting an ITIN for a spouse while not in the USA?
I think he/she is pretty much required to apply for an SSN after arriving in the US to live - not having one would certainly make life difficult. Ad once an SSN has been assigned he/she should refrain for using the ITIN again - no good will come from having two tax IDs in use.
#9
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 39
Re: Impossible getting an ITIN for a spouse while not in the USA?
There is nothing to prevent your USC spouse from filing a "married filing jointly" tax return, though I don't know for certain if that would result in a TIN being assigned to you, but I think it would. .... Assuming your spouse has already filed for 2021, he/she could file an amended return.
Last edited by per 170; May 25th 2022 at 4:25 pm.
#10
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Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 39
Re: Impossible getting an ITIN for a spouse while not in the USA?
I think he/she is pretty much required to apply for an SSN after arriving in the US to live - not having one would certainly make life difficult. Ad once an SSN has been assigned he/she should refrain for using the ITIN again - no good will come from having two tax IDs in use.
#11
Re: Impossible getting an ITIN for a spouse while not in the USA?
I just looked into this, and in the instructions for form W-7 it says that "spouses are not eligible for an ITIN unless they are claimed for an allowable tax benfit or they file their own tax return.". However, it also says, under the headline "Who is eligible to complete this form", that it can be filled in by "a nonresident alien individual not eligible for an SSN who elect to file a joint US federal tax return with a spouse who is a US citizen". Those two statements seem contradictory to me, or did I miss something?
#12
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,855
Re: Impossible getting an ITIN for a spouse while not in the USA?
I just looked into this, and in the instructions for form W-7 it says that "spouses are not eligible for an ITIN unless they are claimed for an allowable tax benfit or they file their own tax return.". However, it also says, under the headline "Who is eligible to complete this form", that it can be filled in by "a nonresident alien individual not eligible for an SSN who elect to file a joint US federal tax return with a spouse who is a US citizen". Those two statements seem contradictory to me, or did I miss something?
#13
Re: Impossible getting an ITIN for a spouse while not in the USA?
seems pretty simple… if your spouse wants to file MFJ to get the benefit of the $25,900 standard deduction on mated of the $12,950 one for MFS you need the ITIN… now it may cost you more to have your income included so you need to look at that… but assuming you have no income and your spouse does having that higher deduction will be an allowable tax benefit to her…
#14
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,855
Re: Impossible getting an ITIN for a spouse while not in the USA?
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/inte...come-exclusion
Last edited by tht; May 25th 2022 at 10:38 pm.
#15
Just Joined
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 20
Re: Impossible getting an ITIN for a spouse while not in the USA?
The first tax year I was married (USC, UK spouse, living in RoI), I filed my US taxes jointly, I dunno why, I guess I thought I should? And they gave my husband an ITIN. So, at least 15 years ago, that is totally a feasible thing to do and would work to get you an ITIN.
We didn't make enough money, separately or together, to make any difference in me filing separately vs jointly.
We didn't make enough money, separately or together, to make any difference in me filing separately vs jointly.