Comments | brits_americans: Boring taxes question

ghamina in brits_americans

Boring taxes question

Jan 31, 2006 15:53

Does anyone know of any free e-filing places that will accept the fact that not everyone's spouse has or needs a SSN and will allow you to input a N/A in that area ( Read more... )

taxes, social security number

Comments 12

(The comment has been removed)

ghamina January 31 2006, 16:35:30 UTC

Nope, everything I've tried kicks it back. Entering 000-00-0000, NNN-NN-NNNN, or N/A just gets rejected.

catyak January 31 2006, 16:15:48 UTC

Isn't that just a case of "filing separately" rather than any other option? You should only need a number if you're claiming deductions for a spouse.

D

ghamina January 31 2006, 16:36:17 UTC

This *is* 'filing seperately', they still want the spouse's SSN.

catyak January 31 2006, 18:43:59 UTC

Email a few of the sites and ask then why it's required. I suspect it's probably a case of "oh, we never thought of that scenario".

D

mizz_purple January 31 2006, 16:30:47 UTC

We're in the same situation as I assume you're in. I'm going through AOS right now, and haven't got a SSN. My husband has a $600 rebate due if he filed jointly, but will apparently OWE #125 if he files seperately. Obviously we want the $600 (and needed it like, yesterday.)

Apparently from what I've gathered, in these cases you need an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead of a SSN. Which you can download online from the IRS website, and send in manually with your tax return. They'll allocate the ITIN number, fill in the space on the return and send you the money and the number within 4-6 weeks.

Obviously if anyone knows of a quicker way - PLEEEEEEASE let me know. We're living on ramen noodles right now ;)

ITIN kaypow January 31 2006, 16:33:08 UTC

Sounds like you may need an ITIN (individual taxpayer identification number)?

Take a look here and see if that will help:

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.html

Re: ITIN ghamina January 31 2006, 17:04:19 UTC

I just don't understand why my husband would need to have one as he is not and never has been required to file anything with the IRS. I've got a few months to get this sorted out I guess, but I will be grumpy if I have to apply for yet another piece of paper so I can have the pleasure of telling the government I don't have any money.

Re: ITIN catyak January 31 2006, 18:50:18 UTC

The US can't require a non-resident alien spouse to fill in any paperwork. They can refuse to allow deductions for him if you were claiming any, of course, but if he's not part of your tax affair then an ITIN is not needed. Given that they want notarised documents (i.e. things that cost money) there's no way I'm going to bother to apply for one. They can give me one if they think I need it but I'm not going to apply :-)

D

rosie420 January 31 2006, 16:37:25 UTC

Why not apply for a SS# for him? It might not help for the taxes this year, but he'll need it in the future anyway for bank accounts, loans, etc.