frownsarefun
Feb 21, 2010, 07:15 AM
I have a simple, yet confusing situation that I have not been able to get clarification from via the IRS.
I am a US citizen, a resident of NJ and worked one job there from Jan 1, 2009 - Dec 22, 2009. I got married to my girlfriend when I was on vacation in Japan over the summer. She is a Japanese citizen and lives/works in Japan. I moved to Japan on Dec 23, 2009 and will be staying here permanently.
I need to file my taxes, but recently read that I can not eFile because I am living overseas. Now since I am married, I can not file as single anymore - makes sense. However, I keep reading a two part thing from the IRS. That in order for me to file my taxes, my wife needs an ITIN number. But I have also read and been told by the IRS that she doesn't need an ITIN number because I am filing Married Filing Separately, but since she is NOT filing a US tax return at all because she is not required to... japanese citizen, lives in japan, works in japan, etc... I don't need the ITIN.
But the best info I have received is to just write NRA in the space provided for my wife's social security/ITIN number. But it doesn't seem like that's going to be good enough. Should I include a written explanation? Otherwise how are they going to know our situation?
Honestly, I don't want the ITIN number because I don't want my wife treated as aUS citizen for tax purposes and she's not actually filing a separate return - not filing one at all. Not sure if it's a play on words, but it's the truth.
Honestly, I'd like to eFile just because my W-2 information is all in my old NJ address and I can't see what difference 7 days makes (I moved about 7 days before the end of the year). Just that by eFiling, I'd have to leave my wife's ITIN/SS area on the form blank , and am afraid THAT would draw red flags from the IRS.
Lastly, the job I had was with a company based in PA, but all my work was done in NJ. Nothing for my job was done within PA - all in NJ. My first paycheck had PA taxes deducted, but my boss corrected that after the first paycheck. However, all the paychecks still had local PA tax deducted. NJ state tax forms said that I didn't make enough to be required to file a return, so I'm not going to. However, I can't find any info on if I must file for PA - a non-resident return. I know I don't owe, and it would be a nominal amount back for the refund, maybe $80. So I'd rather not bother this time around. Just not sure if anyone can advise me if I MUST file PA return.
Thanks.
Harry
I am a US citizen, a resident of NJ and worked one job there from Jan 1, 2009 - Dec 22, 2009. I got married to my girlfriend when I was on vacation in Japan over the summer. She is a Japanese citizen and lives/works in Japan. I moved to Japan on Dec 23, 2009 and will be staying here permanently.
I need to file my taxes, but recently read that I can not eFile because I am living overseas. Now since I am married, I can not file as single anymore - makes sense. However, I keep reading a two part thing from the IRS. That in order for me to file my taxes, my wife needs an ITIN number. But I have also read and been told by the IRS that she doesn't need an ITIN number because I am filing Married Filing Separately, but since she is NOT filing a US tax return at all because she is not required to... japanese citizen, lives in japan, works in japan, etc... I don't need the ITIN.
But the best info I have received is to just write NRA in the space provided for my wife's social security/ITIN number. But it doesn't seem like that's going to be good enough. Should I include a written explanation? Otherwise how are they going to know our situation?
Honestly, I don't want the ITIN number because I don't want my wife treated as aUS citizen for tax purposes and she's not actually filing a separate return - not filing one at all. Not sure if it's a play on words, but it's the truth.
Honestly, I'd like to eFile just because my W-2 information is all in my old NJ address and I can't see what difference 7 days makes (I moved about 7 days before the end of the year). Just that by eFiling, I'd have to leave my wife's ITIN/SS area on the form blank , and am afraid THAT would draw red flags from the IRS.
Lastly, the job I had was with a company based in PA, but all my work was done in NJ. Nothing for my job was done within PA - all in NJ. My first paycheck had PA taxes deducted, but my boss corrected that after the first paycheck. However, all the paychecks still had local PA tax deducted. NJ state tax forms said that I didn't make enough to be required to file a return, so I'm not going to. However, I can't find any info on if I must file for PA - a non-resident return. I know I don't owe, and it would be a nominal amount back for the refund, maybe $80. So I'd rather not bother this time around. Just not sure if anyone can advise me if I MUST file PA return.
Thanks.
Harry