CCA explains filing options for a joint return with a nonresident alien spouse

Plain-English summary

Chief Counsel Advice addresses the filing status of a taxpayer whose spouse was a nonresident alien and lacked a proper taxpayer identification number when a joint return was filed. The advice says the couple could file joint amended returns for the relevant years if both elected under IRC § 6013(g), because the refund statute of limitations remained open. If they did not make that election, the taxpayer generally should file married filing separately, unless head-of-household status could be established under IRC § 2. The advice also says the spouse’s later-issued Social Security number could be used for the amended returns.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: What filing status and identification number may be used when a taxpayer’s nonresident-alien spouse later receives a Social Security number?
• Outcome: Advice given. The taxpayers could make a § 6013(g) election on timely amended joint returns, or otherwise use married-filing-separately status unless head-of-household status applies.
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 2, 6013, 6109; Treas. Reg. §§ 1.6013-6(a)(4)(i), 301.6109-1(d)(4); Lee v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1980-195.

Full text (IRS public release)

ID: CCA_2013062709545646
Office: ------------
UILC: 6013.03-04
Number: 201329016
Release Date: 7/19/2013
From: -------------------
Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2013 9:54:56 AM
To: -----------------------------
Cc: ------------------------------------------------
Subject: FW: adjustment of status/exemptions (no ITIN)

      Hi ---------- -

      You asked us what filing status should be used for a taxpayer who filed a joint return with his
      nonresident alien spouse who did not have a proper taxpayer identification number. In your
      case, after the tax years in question, but before the examination of the returns in question, the
      nonresident alien spouse got a social security number. Because she was a nonresident alien
      during the tax years in question, she and her husband can file a joint return for those years
      only if they both make an election under section 6013(g). See section 6013(a)(1), (g). The
      election can be made with a joint amended return up until the expiration of the refund statute of
      limitations (within three years of the time the return is filed or two years of the time the tax is
      paid). Treas. Reg. 1.6013-6(a)(4)(i). Because the refund statute is still open for the tax years
      in question, -------------------, the taxpayers could file amended joint returns for -------------------- ,
      making a section 6013(g) election for each year. The TPW can use her SSN for the purpose of
      making the joint amended returns because an individual who has an SSN can use the SSN for
      all tax purposes, even if, for instance, the individual had previously been issued an ITIN or
      becomes a nonresident alien. See Treas. Reg. 301.6109-1(d)(4). If for some reason the
      taxpayers choose not to make a section 6013(g) election for a tax year in which they were
      married, TPH's filing status should be married filing separately unless he can establish head of
      household status under section 2 of the Code. See section 2(b)(2)(B) (providing that for
      purposes of head of household status, a taxpayer married to a nonresident alien is not
      considered to be married); see also Lee v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1980-195 (holding that
      the petitioner, who was married to a nonresident alien, was not entitled to file as head of
      household, and did not contend that he elected to file a joint return under section 6013(g), was
      required to file as a married individual filing separately).

      If you have any other questions or if I can be of further assistance, please don't hesitate to
      contact me.

      Thanks,

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