Canadian Wife Living in Can - American Husband Living in USA

This is our main tax information forum which deals with topics concerning Canadians living and working in the U.S., U.S. citizens contemplating working in Canada, and all aspects of Canadian and U.S. income tax and related adminstrative issues.

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CANAM1
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Jul 27, 2011 11:08 am

Canadian Wife Living in Can - American Husband Living in USA

Post by CANAM1 »

I am not even sure where to begin so I thought I would here Thank Any and ALL for any and all advice in advance.
My Wife and I were just married two weeks ago. She will continue to live in Canada with her boys from previous. I will continue to live in the USA while we get all the necessary paperwork and funding together to immigrate to Canada.
I know as an American I will always have to file US tax returns , but I am unclear how I include her if I am supposed to since she has no SSN. Do I just use her TIN? Also how does she account for me on her Canadian return with me not having a TIN nor having any Canadian income and not residing in Canada?

Thanking you all again.
nelsona
Posts: 18680
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2004 2:33 pm
Location: Nowhere, man

Post by nelsona »

Until she gets her green card, she cannot get an SSN, but you can still file jointly, reporting all her income, by applying for ITIN when you file jointly for the first time (unless of course, she already has one). Eventually, if she ever moves to US, she will gete a GC.

Until you move to canada, you are not Cdn resident, so she indicates married on her return, reports your income only on page 1 (no tax, but avoids incorrect credits given to her). If CRA needs you to get TIN, they will tell her.
After 20 years, I am severely cutting back on responses. Do not ask specifically for my help. There are a few others on this board that can answer most questions. All the best
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