Jimbone Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 Hi, This year I have to file federal income taxes to the IRS. I am married to a Thai women who does not work. Do I have to tell the IRS that I am married? We have a Thai marriage certificate, but not a US marriage certificate. Can I file as a single? Thanks for the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopburi3 Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 She would only be subject to US Tax Laws if she formally requested to be (but you are married by US law with a Thai marriage certificate) which for non working wife in Thailand is often done so that you can file joint return and take advantage of the deductions. If she decides to do that a formal statement to treat her worldwide income as subject to US Tax until further notice needs to be included in tax return as was as request for ITIN (taxpayer number). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55Jay Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 Yes, you must provide and utilize your true and correct marital status. Failure to provide correct information and/or withhold of relevant information, is a punishable offense; in particular if it results in loss of revenue for the government. Keep in mind that legal blurb at the end when you sign (digitally of otherwise) your return. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/tax_crimes_handbook.pdf Ok, so I don't condone lying or withholding accurate information, but if you're a regular joe little fish, very small risk of them deciding to investigate whether your selected filing status is accurate or not. Even if they did, chances are you'll have paid the pirates MORE tax than you otherwise should have as married-joint, so they aren't coming after you on GP.... unless you've got lots of problems and skeletons in your closet. In my case, and many others I'm sure, it was in my favor to get the Thai wife an ITIN, and file married-joint.... but that's not what you asked. Good Ruck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbone Posted March 25, 2017 Author Share Posted March 25, 2017 Thanks for the information. Based on your wisdom, and, even tho' I am small potatoes to the IRS, I'll do a joint file. Sorry for the late reply of appreciation...was in Surin visiting the in-laws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monomial Posted March 29, 2017 Share Posted March 29, 2017 Just consider there is no reason to file jointly if you don't want to. You can always do 'married filing separately' and leave your wife completely out of it. If you have qualifying children, you can also file 'head of household'. Unless you are making upwards of $100K there is almost no difference between single and 'married filing separately'. Especially if your Thai wife has income or significant assets you want to look into keeping her out of the US system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langsuan Man Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 To all you experts Can you file "married" without a ITIN, (individual tax identification number) ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopburi3 Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 You can apply for the ITIN at the same time - that is the primary reason for issue of ITIN these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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