NRA spouse

Studentincanada · Post by **Studentincanada** » Thu Jan 31, 2013 11:52 am

My NRA spouse worked in the US on TN status in 2002 and received a SS#. Since 2003 to current she lives in Canada with no US ties (other than married to an american). On my back taxes, I plan to file as married/separate. Do I claim my wife is NRA in the spousal information ? Or am I obliged to state her SS#?

Thanks again!!! I'll be quite now!

John

nelsona · Post by **nelsona** » Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:28 pm

Even if you file MFS, You should indicate her SS# and claim her exemption.

Studentincanada · Post by **Studentincanada** » Thu Jan 31, 2013 12:42 pm

Is there special form for this? I have not noticed this on the 1040...

nelsona · Post by **nelsona** » Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:50 pm

You use 1040. It says so right on the filing status line.

Studentincanada · Post by **Studentincanada** » Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:00 pm

I see in filing status box 3...where I input information but what "exemption" are you referring to?

Thanks,

John

nelsona · Post by **nelsona** » Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:22 pm

Um.... the line right under filing status.

may I suggest you use software to complete your forms, as these are pretty basic questions.

Studentincanada · Post by **Studentincanada** » Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:41 pm

Sorry, I'll stick the more thought provoking ones. If my wife is an NRA I can claim her as an exemption on line 42, even if she has income in canada as a Canadian...???

Thanks again.

nelsona · Post by **nelsona** » Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:52 pm

Yes. she must only have no US-sourced income.

You claim her on line 6. Besides, you probably don't need this to be nopn-taxable in US.

My concern is that you may have 8 years of pent-up questions, having forgotten to file and all....

... and realize that your late 1040's are the least of your worries. FBAR, 8891, FATCA, 3520 for TFSA and RESPs are all more ominous than several zero-tax 1040's.

Studentincanada · Post by **Studentincanada** » Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:07 pm

Yea. Lets celebrate. One thing at a time for me...

Forgetting something means I knew something in the first place. I'm probably just one of many to make assumptions that if you live in canada you file in canada not the us. Add the fact you don't have to pay tax on scholarships in canada just strengthened these assumptions.

Thanks again.

nelsona · Post by **nelsona** » Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:25 pm

You forgot you were a US citizen?!

Studentincanada · Post by **Studentincanada** » Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:34 pm

I didnt forget that! I didn't know the US taxes based on citizenship not residency. Not make excuses here...just trying to fix this!

Now you got me freaked out about 8891, 3520s and FBARs.

I have no savings, a perk of being a student. However my wife does put some of her money into RRSPs. Do I have to file those with the 8891? If so I need to hire a professional. We don't have TFSAs or RESPs. Only one joint account which never has more than 1-2K in it.

ughh...

could be worse,

John