Dear Atlanta Tax expert.

Thanks for your reply. My wife was working in canada from Jan - Sep 2008 and will be filing her tax return in canada. Since Oct she moved to USA for good. She is on Visitors visa at present. What kind of passport documents we should notarize and send along with W-7. Also, can I still file joint return even thought she will be filing her own tax return for part year income in canada.


Thanks,
Rajesh

Rajesh:

You need to have the entire passport (pages with actual information on them) photocopied, then have the photocopy notarized as a true copy. This can easily done at any bank in any state other than California.

California has a state law that prohibits notarizing passport photocopies, so, if you are in California, you need to go to a U.S. post office or the local IRS office to get the photocopy certified as a true copy.

Yes, you can file jointly even if she files a Canadian return. You will need to file either Form 1116 to claim a credit for the Canadian taxes paid, or Form 2555 to exclude the Canadian income.