Married? Single? Which should I put?

Hiya Helen (or anyone else who knows!)

I'm in the process of doing my US taxes. I filed for 2002 as a single person - did my 1040 and my 2555-EZ but I was married in July of 2003. My husband is a British Citizen so doesn't have a SS# or any tax number....can I claim status as a single filer?

This is way too confusing and annoying hehe

Thanks!
Jen

do not take my complete word for this jenny...but I believe you will need to file married, filing seperately...  I was told that by an accountant in america before we were to get married...and she suggested if possible to wait until after the new year...  which we did...for a few reasons...that being one of them...even if tom's divorce was final...I decided to wait for tax reasons

I agree w/ mfredericka....Since you married in 2003, you'll claim "married, filing separately" for you 2003 taxes.  Where it asks for your husband's SSN, you'll write in "Non-Resident Alien".  If you want to file jointly, you'll need to apply for an ITIN (Individual Tax Identification Number) for your husband.  That could take a while to get, so you might need to apply for an extension in order to file MFJ for 2003.

I was married in September 2003, filed MFS for 2003, wrote NRA for DH's SSN, and had no problem at all.  Good luck!

:-)

Thanks Shel and lolal!
Looks like I'll be printing out another copy of the form!
Why does this tax stuff give me such angst!? 

Thanks again 
Jen

Yes. I agree too. File "Married filing Separately" and put NRA (non-resident alien) in front of your Husband's name on the 1040.

Helen

I have yet to file - on this note, my husband is a resident alien now but didnt have any US income and it doesnt seem right to me that he should have to file based on his UK income since he's a UK citizen. Shall I put Married Filing Seperatly or Jointly and include his UK income?

I have yet to file - on this note, my husband is a resident alien now but didnt have any US income and it doesnt seem right to me that he should have to file based on his UK income since he's a UK citizen. Shall I put Married Filing Seperatly or Jointly and include his UK income?

If you file separately, you don't have to include his income.

I answered as though you're living in the UK...are you in the US (w/ UK spouse living with you?)?  If so, follow Jemima's advice.   

Thanks for your replies! We are living in the UK, actually!

 I managed to finish my taxes in a timely manner (both years...bleurgh) and submitted them. I filed as a married filing separately and just put NRA  (Non Resident alien) where my hubby's ss # would have been if he had one 

So glad that is done for another year!!
thanks again
Jen

hehe, sorry to hijack the thread. We're in the UK at the mo and havent lived in the US yet. Martin's only just been granted his GC but we're still trying to sell house to make the move. Jemima, you make a very good point that actually answers my question totally! He was only granted his immigrant visa before 12/31/03 - we didnt enter the US to get his green card until february. So he's clear. Not that either of us have to pay any US tax anyway - I didnt earn enough and even if he did have to file, he didnt earn enough either. I was just currious about the formalities.

Thanks everyone.