I got married last year and I want to file a joint return so need to get my wife an ITIN.

I reviewed a couple of threads that were made about a year ago and have done a bit of research about the W7 form. I read that I have to submit with my tax return, a W7 form, a notarized copy of her passport, a written letter about our joint filing status. Is there anything else I need to include which is not obvious? I still have some questions that I would like to ask here.

My wife has a Chinese passport.

We got married in China and she retained her family name so her passport lists her family surname. Does a married joint return, need the wife to have the same last name as the husband?

I also read on one of the threads that a Thai passport has to be 1st, certified by MFA and 2nd notarized by the US Embassy/Consulate to authenticate the 1st . Is this really necessary? If it is, what would a foreigner have to do in Thailand?

I emailed the US Consulate in Chiang Mai and they promptly replied that they can notarize my wife's Chinese passport but they did not volunteer any additional information about doing the 1st step as I wrote above.

Since I live in CM where there is a Chinese Consulate, does anyone know if the IRS would accept a certified copy of her passport from the Chinese Consulate if their certification is written in English? They might be a lot cheaper than the $50, the US Consulate charges.

Thanks

I think you need to say where you are from are what nationality are you, Thai or American.

If you live in Chang Mai your wife would need the same visa as you have unless your Thai of course.

Vagabond. I started a thread on getting an ITIN a while ago ... not sure if this is one of the threads your found (?) I think it was in the Chiang Mai forum.

When you say "notarised" be aware that the IRS is very particular about who may notarise this copy, and what form this must take. Have a look in the IRS web site about this. You also need to make a strong case for why she needs to have an ITIN. I am a non-US citizen so perhaps they are stricter on this for us "aliens". My first application was rejected and I had to go back with stronger supporting evidence - and was then successful. With regards to the name issue you will probably need to deal directly with the IRS. Their nearest office is in Beijing and I found the woman in charge there to be very helpful.

Edited January 10, 201214 yr by chiangmaibruce

I think you need to say where you are from are what nationality are you, Thai or American.

If you live in Chang Mai your wife would need the same visa as you have unless your Thai of course.

I should have written that I am a US citizen living in Thailand. I don't think it matters to the IRS what type of visa she has but she is a dependent on my visa extension.

Vagabond. I started a thread on getting an ITIN a while ago ... not sure if this is one of the threads your found (?) I think it was in the Chiang Mai forum.

When you say "notarised" be aware that the IRS is very particular about who may notarise this copy, and what form this must take. Have a look in the IRS web site about this. You also need to make a strong case for why she needs to have an ITIN. I am a non-US citizen so perhaps they are stricter on this for us "aliens". My first application was rejected and I had to go back with stronger supporting evidence - and was then successful. With regards to the name issue you will probably need to deal directly with the IRS. Their nearest office is in Beijing and I found the woman in charge there to be very helpful.

Yes I saw yours which dealt with purchasing from Amazon but I was referring to 2 others that were specific to US citizens and their Thai wives. Yes I read the W7 instructions but it still leaves me with questions. My strong supporting evidence is that I am including my wife on my US tax return and need a ITIN for her.