American married Canadian-- living in Canada

[dgherbeck]

I am an American and got married to a Canadian citizen in 2019. As of November 2019, I am a permanent resident of Canada. I want to file "Married filing jointly" in order to maximize benefits and credits that should be returned to me. However, how do I do this with my husband being a Canadian citizen? Some additional information- I did not work at all in Canada in 2019, but have been living here since November. I did have a job in America up until November 2019. My husband has not worked in America and does not have a taxpayer number or any income from America, so I am not sure if I would then have to report his Canadian income? Or how I am able to file "Married filing jointly" without him being American?

Thanks in advance.

[KarenJ2]

You can file married filing jointly if you both report your worldwide income for 2019.  You can either file married filing jointly or married filing separately.

Your husband would need to complete a Form W-7 application for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) IF you file married filing jointly.  ITINs are for filers that do not qualify for a SSN.  Form W-7 and documents (passport, etc) would need to be attached to your Form 1040 and presented in person to a designated IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center. They can verify the original documentation and receive your printed tax return.  Please see the Instructions for Form W-7.

Either way you file, you will need a "dummy" SSN for your husband just to be able to complete your tax return in TurboTax.  You can use 305-44-0001.  Then when your return is finished, you need to print your return and "white-out" the dummy SSN on the tax return.

If you decide to file married filing separately, after you print the return and "white-out" the "dummy SSN" , you will need to write NRA (nonresident alien) in the space for his SSN.  You will need to mail your married filing separately return.

How do I print and mail my return in TurboTax Online?

[jbw-tama]

My daughter is in almost the same exact situation. Can this not be filed online, electronically by TurboTax? Or must it be printed out and white out the dummy SSN and write NRA as you explained?

[ThomasM125]

You cannot e-file the tax return, it will have to be mailed in.

[pastorbrianclc]

question:

I am a us citizen married to a canadian. We lived in USA for 15 years and during that time my wife (canadian) had a green card and ssn number and filed married jointly. We moved to Canada in 2016.  In 2017 surrendered her green card. Up to this point I still file married jointly.  Should I be doing this?   Also would I qualify to economic impact for just myself of 1200 or as married for 2400.