Renew ITINs for US Spouses

[bigrod]

Just saw this new requirement posted on the IRS site.

https://www.irs.gov/uac/irs-works-to-help-taxpayers-affected-by-itin-changes-renewals-begin-in-october

Chuck

[Art, just a re(tired) Fil-Am]

Just saw this new requirement posted on the IRS site.

https://www.irs.gov/uac/irs-works-to-help-taxpayers-affected-by-itin-changes-renewals-begin-in-october

Chuck

What an IRS fiasco! Luckily it does not affect my wife and myself directly! "Knock on wood"!
Who Has to Renew an ITIN
The IRS emphasizes that no action is needed by ITIN holders if they don’t need to file a tax return next year. There are two key groups of ITIN holders who may need to renew an ITIN so it will be in effect for returns filed in 2017:
Unused ITINs. ITINs not used on a federal income tax return in the last three years (covering 2013, 2014, or 2015) will no longer be valid to use on a tax return as of Jan. 1, 2017. ITIN holders in this group who need to file a tax return next year will need to renew their ITINs. The renewal period begins Oct. 1, 2016.
Expiring ITINs. ITINs issued before 2013 will begin expiring this year, and taxpayers will need to renew them on a rolling basis. The first ITINs that will expire under this schedule are those with middle digits of 78 and 79 (Example: 9XX-78-XXXX). The renewal period for these ITINs begins Oct. 1, 2016. The IRS will mail letters to this group of taxpayers starting in August to inform them of the need to renew their ITINs if they need to file a tax return and explain steps they need to take. The schedule for expiration and renewal of ITINs that do not have middle digits of 78 and 79 will be announced at a future date.

[suzukig1]

The difficult part of applying for an ITIN is you need a certified copy of the passport (or you can send in the actual passport).  The certified copy comes from the DFA and most (all?) local DFA offices cannot issue the certified copies.  So you have to go to the DFA in Pasay City.

[BudM]

Now this doesn't make an damn ounce of sense to me.

"Beginning Oct. 1, 2016, the IRS will no longer accept passports that do not have a date of entry into the U.S. as a stand-alone identification document for dependents from countries other than Canada or Mexico or dependents of military members overseas. Affected applicants will now be required to submit either U.S. medical records for dependents under age six or U.S. school records for dependents under age 18, along with the passport. Dependents aged 18 and over can submit a rental or bank statement or a utility bill listing the applicant’s name and U.S. address, along with their passport."

So, what does that mean?  My wife's ITIN will not expire for some time yet but apparently, the certified copy of her passport, which they returned after they assigned her an ITIN, will be no good as a stand alone anymore unless she has an entry in to the U.S. on it?  I wonder if this applys to her if she has yet to visit the U.S.  And when it is due for renewal, I don't even know if I will feel like taking a vacation there by then.  She doesn't have anything with her name and her U.S. address on it either since she does not have a U.S. address.  What a bunch of chit.  Guess I might have to call them to find out what to do when the time comes.

[suzukig1]

Now this doesn't make an damn ounce of sense to me.

"Beginning Oct. 1, 2016, the IRS will no longer accept passports that do not have a date of entry into the U.S. as a stand-alone identification document for dependents from countries other than Canada or Mexico or dependents of military members overseas. Affected applicants will now be required to submit either U.S. medical records for dependents under age six or U.S. school records for dependents under age 18, along with the passport. Dependents aged 18 and over can submit a rental or bank statement or a utility bill listing the applicant’s name and U.S. address, along with their passport."

So, what does that mean?  My wife's ITIN will not expire for some time yet but apparently, the certified copy of her passport, which they returned after they assigned her an ITIN, will be no good as a stand alone anymore unless she has an entry in to the U.S. on it?  I wonder if this applys to her if she has yet to visit the U.S.  And when it is due for renewal, I don't even know if I will feel like taking a vacation there by then.  She doesn't have anything with her name and her U.S. address on it either since she does not have a U.S. address.  What a bunch of chit.  Guess I might have to call them to find out what to do when the time comes.

Dependents.  Your spouse is not considered a dependent.  (I guess there are some U.S. residency requirements when you claim dependents that are not U.S. citizens.)

[BudM]

Dependents.  Your spouse is not considered a dependent.  (I guess there are some U.S. residency requirements when you claim dependents that are not U.S. citizens.)

In order for me to file U.S. taxes each year to the IRS (married filing jointly) she has to have an ITIN and for IRS purposes ONLY, she is considered a Resident Alien rather than a Non-Resident Alien.  She was issued an ITIN by the IRS even though she has never stepped foot on U.S. soil as she has four passport books and none of them indicate that she has done so.  When I met her, she wanted to stay right here in the Philippines, which was good since that is where I want to live.  She has a travel business and likes to travel and is now after seeing U.S. stuff on TV when I watch, would like to travel there of course when we go on vacation.  I have no intention of ever go back their though for a short vacation though until several things do a complete reversal or show signs of improvement.  Hence, it will probably be at least several years before she ever gets a U.S. entrance stamp in her passport and of course she does not have a U.S. address.

[bigrod]

Agree after a second look my asawa is not my dependent for tax purposes, since the return is a joint return.  So should not be effected by this action.  But clarification will definitely be required from IRS.  My asawa's two digit number is "95" so should be a few years before it concerns us, hopefully by that time we will know all the answers.

Chuck

[suzukig1]

In order for me to file U.S. taxes each year to the IRS (married filing jointly) she has to have an ITIN and for IRS purposes ONLY, she is considered a Resident Alien rather than a Non-Resident Alien.  She was issued an ITIN by the IRS even though she has never stepped foot on U.S. soil as she has four passport books and none of them indicate that she has done so.  When I met her, she wanted to stay right here in the Philippines, which was good since that is where I want to live.  She has a travel business and likes to travel and is now after seeing U.S. stuff on TV when I watch, would like to travel there of course when we go on vacation.  I have no intention of ever go back their though for a short vacation though until several things do a complete reversal or show signs of improvement.  Hence, it will probably be at least several years before she ever gets a U.S. entrance stamp in her passport and of course she does not have a U.S. address.

But you quoted the section that applies only to dependents and not spouses.  A spouse is not considered a dependent (even though you may claim an exemption for a spouse).

https://www.irs.gov/uac/six-important-facts-about-dependents-and-exemptions-1

Your spouse is never considered your dependent. On a joint return, you may claim one exemption for yourself and one for your spouse...

[suzukig1]

Agree after a second look my asawa is not my dependent for tax purposes, since the return is a joint return.  So should not be effected by this action.  But clarification will definitely be required from IRS.  My asawa's two digit number is "95" so should be a few years before it concerns us, hopefully by that time we will know all the answers.

Chuck

There are separate sections; one for spouses and one for dependents.  The first part applies to spouses.

[BudM]

But you quoted the section that applies only to dependents and not spouses.  A spouse is not considered a dependent (even though you may claim an exemption for a spouse).

https://www.irs.gov/uac/six-important-facts-about-dependents-and-exemptions-1

Your spouse is never considered your dependent. On a joint return, you may claim one exemption for yourself and one for your spouse...

Yeah, you are right.  My bag.  But as Chuck says, IRS needs to make sure it is clear.

There is too much confusion on everything we do just about and a lot of times, it is like we are rejects because we want to live somewhere else.  Not saying the IRS but too many government agencies treat our non-US citizen wives like the plague.  Apparently California Driver Licenses office would not though as they are giving a DL to everyone and their grandmother.

[Gray Wolf]

IRS. Another bloated bureucracy that should be abolished.