Discussion:MFS without spouses ss number
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Discussion Forum Index --> Tax Questions --> MFS without spouses ss number
Kmikeburns (talk|edits) said: | 14 April 2008 |
| I have a taxpayer who got married in November.
They are keeping seperate returns because he has BIG back tax problems. The new wife's prepare apparently filed her a single because it was efiled without his number. He wants his prepared without her number. I told him I could not prepare a return marked single. It is not an issue of a tax savings as they both itemize their own deductions. What are ramifications of filing MFS without her number listed? Am I going "over the line" by even preparing a return without her number? Comments are appreciated. | |
Nancyshoemake (talk|edits) said: | 14 April 2008 |
| i think the issue is that if one itemizes, the other needs to itemize. They want the ssn to confirm this. If you can't get the ssn - you can't get the ssn! I would paper file it without the ssn but include the spouse' name. | |
| 14 April 2008 | |
| This sounded *so* familiar, and once I finally figured out the right search terms (I need sleep!) I found the discussion I was thinking of: Married_Filing_Separately_w/o_spouse_SSN. It's a different situation, but down toward the end they get into the possible ramifications that you were curious about. Plus, additional viewpoints that you can factor into your decision. | |
| 14 April 2008 | |
| To intentionally file a return with a filing status of single instead of married separate is committing tax fraud. Period. As a preparer you are obligated to file the return according to the law or not at all. If you know the SSN, it MUST be included. If your client refuses to file properly, you are compelled to refuse to prepare the return. You should also inform your client that the wife's return should be amended immediately and that the preparer of that fraudulent return is way, way, way out of bounds. | |
| 14 April 2008 | |
| (and I'd consider turning in the other preparer if I knew who he/she was) | |
| 14 April 2008 | |
| Turn in the bad preparer anyway. I'm sure the IRS can find SOMETHING he has done wrong. | |
Nancyshoemake (talk|edits) said: | 14 April 2008 |
| my thoughts exactly!!! | |
| 14 April 2008 | |
| It's like the little boy who was helping the doctor deliver his little baby brother, back in the days when the doctors made house calls and babies were born at home. As the doctor delivered the baby, he slapped him on the butt to make him cry.
The older brother helping said "Slap him again, Doc. Teach him a lesson. He should have never crawled up in there in the first place." | |
Southparkcpa (talk|edits) said: | 14 April 2008 |
| Agreed, if you file as single, you are aiding and abetting and while I wouldn't turn you in others see fit to do that. Do the right thing, get your clients respect. In my practice, I won't file a MFS without the SS number. That simple, forget the single vs MFS that's a no brainer. | |
Kmikeburns (talk|edits) said: | 15 April 2008 |
| Thanks for all of the input.
Filing single was never an option for me. I have not seen the spouses return but I suspect it was filed single since she said it was efiled and I know my software won't accept an MFS return without both numbers. Thanks again. | |
