It’s true. You’ll need to get your hubby a TIN. The good news is that it’s very easy. I used the list of international attorneys from the IRS website, paid a small fee and my husband received his TIN in about 3 weeks. We then were able to file taxes and open a joint bank account. Best wishes! 🙏🏼

so you can’t file married separate since he’s outside the US?

idk. I’m not a professional in taxes but I don’t think anyone could realistically expect taxes to be filed jointly with someone who lives outside the country. I maybe wrong

@Lolo Duru thank you for your feedback….but he has never been into the US, how can he open a bank acct without US ID

@Mo Me the tax guy was suggesting deferring filing this year taxes until my hubby is in the country, which is not a good option for my case I guess…my statements didn’t insinuate of filing jointly with a non-resident out of country.

@K🇰🇪 W🇺🇸 My husband has never been here either. You will select an attorney in your husband’s country who is recommended by the IRS. The attorney will then file for the TIN with a copy of your most recent tax return. After approximately 3 weeks you will receive the TIN in the mail. Nwxt you will apply for a joint account online or in person, using the TIN, husband’s passport, address (use your address), your husband’s local address and any other identification document.

@K🇰🇪 W🇺🇸 yes I don’t recommend not filing I remembered I filed married filing separately 🤷🏽‍♀️

@Lolo Duru oh good to know

@Lolo Duru thx for this I am looking to get a ITIN too so as you said I need to go to the IarS website for that right? And are there lawyers over there for that?

@Lolo Duru thank you 🙏🏻

I did this myself last year for my spouse who is overseas. you will need to fill out form W7 to apply for the ITIN # and submit your federal returns signed by both you and your spouse to file married filing joint. you will also need to send the physical passport for the person applying for the ITIN#. if you already filed for 2024 then you can amend your returns after they have been completed. if you are getting a refund, to your benefit, it's best you file married filing joint fyi it generates a higher return.

@munisa abdukarimova bu sohbeti baştan sona kadar okuya bilirmisiniz

@NV NV thank you so much for your insights. I opted to file married filing separately for now to spare myself the hassle of too much documents requirements for my spouse/joint signature requirements. one more question for you, how long did it take for the ITIN number to be mailed?

@Darth Choker The IRS website has a list of international attorneys. My husband lives and works in Dubai so I selected one there. He spoke English and worked with us via email and WhatsApp. I filed married but separate and I had no difficulties.

@Lolo Duru thank you

@Lolo Duru thank you, I have perused through the website, tried searching for international attorneys, all I’m seeing is publications documents done by attorneys. kindly if you don’t mind, could you share the link that specifically got the international attorneys.

@K🇰🇪 W🇺🇸 Try this link to the IRS page listing agents from different countries. Scroll through and select an attorney from your husband’s country. Let me know if this works. 🙏🏼https://www.irs.gov/tin/itin/itin-acceptance-agents

@K🇰🇪 W🇺🇸 Click on Agents Abroad to get to the list of international agents/attorneys.

thank you!!!@Lolo Duru apparently my spouse is in Kenya and they don’t have any representative attorney there🙂

@K🇰🇪 W🇺🇸 There are agents in Egypt, Morocco and South Africa. Reach out and see if any of these can help. 🙏🏼

@Lolo Duru Thank you so much

@K🇰🇪 W🇺🇸 I did it during tax season last year so approximately 8 weeks.

@NV NV great, thank you very much!

@Lolo Duru thank you