JGA Posted May 1 Share Posted May 1 I would like to file a joint US tax return with my Thai wife because I will get a fairly substantial tax deduction. However, to get this deduction, I must declare her earnings in Thailand (which are only around US$10000). After searching the internet for hours, I was unable to determine what's a suitable substitution for the W-2 form that is issued by employers in America. She works for a government university, so we were able to download a document online that specifies what she was paid for the year. Does anybody know if this document would be accepted by the IRS? I also need to get her a US tax identification number, but this can only be applied for at the same time as filing the tax return. JGA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dsquared Posted May 1 Share Posted May 1 Foreign income doesn't require document submission to the IRS. Keep it for your records in case you're asked in the future. Also don't forget the FEIE to exclude her income. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoDisplayName Posted May 1 Share Posted May 1 Form 2555 Foreign Earned Income https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-2555 https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f2555.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhawk_usa Posted May 1 Share Posted May 1 Read this carefully. I believe you are missing this requirement. I did this a number of years ago even though the wife has no income. https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/nonresident-spouse 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pookett Posted May 2 Share Posted May 2 Came here because I misread the title... "Filling a joint (with my) tax return..." 😁 I don't even partake! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee2 Posted May 2 Share Posted May 2 (edited) 23 hours ago, JGA said: I also need to get her a US tax identification number, but this can only be applied for at the same time as filing the tax return. I believe you can apply for a TIN anytime after marriage without filing taxes. If the IRS hasn't changed the application process they require "certified" copies and translations of Thai identification card, birth certificate and marriage registration. In my experience, it took 8 weeks after submission to receive the TIN. Edited May 2 by tweedledee2 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satcommlee Posted May 2 Share Posted May 2 Marry someone in a foreign country and claim a tax deduction, sounds too easy... Does tax residency not matter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrwest Posted May 2 Share Posted May 2 1 hour ago, tweedledee2 said: I believe you can apply for a TIN anytime after marriage without filing taxes. If the IRS hasn't changed the application process they require "certified" copies and translations of Thai identification card, birth certificate and marriage registration. In my experience, it took 8 weeks after submission to receive the TIN. Agreed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luuk Chaai Posted May 2 Share Posted May 2 If she's not a US citizen ,, or legal resident. she dos not file If her Thai earnings are listed under her Thai name.. not your sur name . you definitely do not want to open that box don't forget you may need to submit an FBAR form for all total bank savings over 10k US and if there are any accts with just her maiden name .. they will not be shared with the US IF you have a legal US address that you can use while living oveseas . there is a huge savings /refund available for you 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Presnock Posted May 2 Share Posted May 2 4 hours ago, tweedledee2 said: I believe you can apply for a TIN anytime after marriage without filing taxes. If the IRS hasn't changed the application process they require "certified" copies and translations of Thai identification card, birth certificate and marriage registration. In my experience, it took 8 weeks after submission to receive the TIN. same with me - wife has no income but needed the TIN for 1040 joint filing, realtively quick response from the necessary office. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westsail Posted May 2 Share Posted May 2 I submitted an application for a TIN for my Thai wife together with our first joint tax return in 2011 without reporting any income for her. It took a little longer to process, but there were no problems or questions asked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AgMech Cowboy Posted May 2 Share Posted May 2 On 5/1/2024 at 2:54 PM, JGA said: I also need to get her a US tax identification number Good luck with that. I tried to get my wife one about 5 years ago. The US changed the methods for issuing them and I couldn't find a way and us still live here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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