Hi,

I was working in USA since 2 years on valid SSN.Last year I did my tax returns with my wife.she is on H4 visa,so we have applied for her ITIN with IRS.We didn't get any stimulous checks as she didn't have valid SSN in 2007.In 2008 we had baby boy[US Citizen] and now we are looking for some help in filling my tax returns.

Am I supposed to get any recovery rebate credit this year if so how?[My wife still on H4 visa,she had ITIN]

Best Regards
Ram

Ram:

Sorry, but as long as your wife has that ITIN, you are NOT eligible for any credit or rebate if you file jointly.

However, the following procedure will allow you to get the Recovery Rebate Credit, and has been the course of action suggested by the IRS.

1) File as Married Filing Separately for 2008. Your wife, having no income, does NOT have to file.

2) You will get your reduced refund about six weeks after you file, but it includes the Recovery Rebate Credit of $600.

3) Once you get the refund, you then amend your 2008 tax return to file jointly with your wife to add your wife's personal exemption and to double your standard deduction from $5,450 to $10,900.

4) Once the amendment is mailed, you will get the refund about 6-8 weeks after mailing the amendment via a check from the IRS.

It is up to you to decide whether the $600 Recovery Rebate Credit is worth the trouble the above process entails.

Ram:

Sorry, but as long as your wife has that ITIN, you are NOT eligible for any credit or rebate if you file jointly.

However, the following procedure will allow you to get the Recovery Rebate Credit, and has been the course of action suggested by the IRS.

1) File as Married Filing Separately for 2008. Your wife, having no income, does NOT have to file.

2) You will get your reduced refund about six weeks after you file, but it includes the Recovery Rebate Credit of $600.

3) Once you get the refund, you then amend your 2008 tax return to file jointly with your wife to add your wife's personal exemption and to double your standard deduction from $5,450 to $10,900.

4) Once the amendment is mailed, you will get the refund about 6-8 weeks after mailing the amendment via a check from the IRS.

It is up to you to decide whether the $600 Recovery Rebate Credit is worth the trouble the above process entails.


I am wondering your suggestion is applied to Economic Stimulus Payment (ESP),


Economic Stimulus Payment Q&As: Taxpayer Identification Numbers (http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=181995,00.html)


But I can't similar answer about that Recovery Rebate Credit （CCR） is no need to return


Questions and Answers about the Recovery Rebate Credit (http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=201641,00.html)