robert[at]elastica.com wrote:

- quote -

She needs to obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification
Number (ITIN) for you to file MFJ. If you file this way, ALL
her income for the tax year (even if earned in a foreign
country) must be reported on the return.

Fill out the tax form (leaving the SSN blank for your wife),
then fill out and attach form W-7 to the completed and
signed return. Take the completed form to a local IRS office
and they will process the ITIN request.

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robert[at]elastica.com wrote:

- quote -

See "ITIN."

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<robert[at]elastica.com> wrote:

- quote -

I assume that means she has no other income anywhere in the
world? If she had, she would be obligated to report it from
now on.

If she has no US tax id number, she should attach Form W-7
to the top of your completed Form 1040 and mail the whole
thing to the address shown on the Form W-7. That form
itself calls for other documentation, so look at it and
start gathering that documentation today. The W-7 is an
application for an Individual Taxpayer Id Number, similar to
an SSN but not an SSN.

__
Art Kamlet ArtKamlet [at] AOL.com Columbus OH K2PZH

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obert[at]elastica.com wrote:

- quote -

In order to file a joint return, you must be married; both
spouses must be either US citizens or US resident aliens or
one spouse can be a US citizen or resident alien and the
other sposue could be a dual-status alien or nonresident
alien and elect to be treated as a resident alien.

In your case, your spouse will have to have either a soc.
sec. # or ITIN.

--
Alan
http://taxtopics.net

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robert[at]elastica.com wrote:

- quote -

You can file a joint return with a non-resident alien
spouse. However, to do so, both of you must make an
election to include his or her worldwide income in the
return. So, whether or not she worked in the U.S., she must
report all of her income on the return.

If she cannot yet get a social security number, she must
file for a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) with the
IRS.

Once you have filed a joint return, you cannot, at a later
date, change your mind and amend to separate returns. On
the other hand, you can file separately now and amend to
change to a joint return as long as the original return is
still open to amendment.

Lanny K Williams, C P A
Nawarat, Williams & Co., Ltd.
Income Tax Services for Expatriate Americans

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<robert[at]elastica.com> wrote

- quote -

And SSN or an ITIN is required.

--
Paul A. Thomas, CPA
Athens, Georgia
taxman at negia.net

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My lawyer who is processing my wifes green card application
has requested that I file my taxes a married filing jointly
this year but I would like to know what does my wife need in
order to do this?

Does she need an F # or Soc #?
Since she is not allowed to work she won't be reporting any
income.

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