My wife is overseas and no SS#?

Question

My wife lives in another country, she may or may not come to live here someday. She has no SS number as she is not an american citizen. How do I claim her on my taxers with no SS number?

So, does it say in the codes someplace that a spouse must be a taxpayer? Why does she need to be a taxpayer in order for me to claim her as a dependent. She lives overseas and i am also paying for hercollege but i cant cliam any of that?

Answer 1

you cannot ,,a friend of mine is in the same boat.........

Answer 2

From the IRS website:

You can claim personal exemptions and exemptions for dependents according to the dependency rules for U.S. citizens. You can claim an exemption for your spouse on a separate return if your spouse had no gross income for U.S. tax purposes and was not the dependent of another taxpayer. You can claim this exemption even if your spouse has not been a resident alien for a full tax year or is an alien who has not come to the United States.

However, you do need to get a TIN for her, as indicated above.

Answer 3

Go to IRS.GOV and FORMS. You need to get a form W-7 and fill it out to apply for a ITIN aka Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. Use this in lieu of a social security number. You can also call the toll free number and your phone book for the IRS and order a form W-7. You may be able to get one copied for you at your public library also.

Answer 4

Get a Individual Taxpayer Identification Number for her:

What is an ITIN?
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a tax processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service. It is a nine-digit number that always begins with the number 9 and has a 7 or 8 in the fourth digit, example 9XX-7X-XXXX.
IRS issues ITINs to individuals who are required to have a U.S. taxpayer identification number but who do not have, and are not eligible to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
ITINs are issued regardless of immigration status because both resident and nonresident aliens may have U.S. tax return and payment responsibilities under the Internal Revenue Code.
Individuals must have a filing requirement and file a valid federal income tax return to receive an ITIN, unless they meet an exception.

What is an ITIN used for?
ITINs are for federal tax reporting only, and are not intended to serve any other purpose. An ITIN does not authorize work in the U.S. or provide eligibility for Social Security benefits or the Earned Income Tax Credit. ITINs are not valid identification outside the tax system.
IRS issues ITINs to help individuals comply with the U.S. tax laws, and to provide a means to efficiently process and account for tax returns and payments for those not eligible for Social Security Numbers.

Who needs an ITIN?
IRS issues ITINs to foreign nationals and others who have federal tax reporting or filing requirements and do not qualify for SSNs. A non-resident alien individual not eligible for an SSN, who is required to file a U.S. tax return only to claim a refund of tax under the provisions of a U.S. tax treaty, needs an ITIN.
Examples of individuals who need ITINs include:

* Non-resident alien filing a U.S. tax return and not eligible for an SSN
* U.S. resident alien (based on days present in the United States) filing a U.S. tax return and not eligible for an SSN
* Dependent or spouse of a U.S. citizen/resident alien
* Dependent or spouse of a non-resident alien visa holder

Answer 5

Simple - you don't.