How can I file ITIN for my spouse from India?

USA L1, L2 Visa
1

I was in US for around 9 months on H1B with my wife joining on H4 for 6 months. However I hadn’t taken any US identity proof for my wife on H4 since she was planning to return back soon. Now I returned back and discovered that I am eligible to file the tax returns jointly. On inquiring, heard that ITIN is required for my spouse(H4) for me(H1B) to claim the married exemption.

Given that I am right now in India and my wife doesn't have any form of US identity (including ITIN), [b]how can I file the tax jointly? [/b]Most of my clleagues said that they had to wait for around 2 years without any response on the refunds from IRS. So I don't want to take a risk.



[b]Can you advise the process to get her ITIN from India and timelines in getting the refund from IRS? Also do any of you know any consutancy companies file joint tax returns when the H4 visa holder doesn't have an ITIN? [/b]Any help would be great!
2

It is a little tricky because Delhi does not have acceptance agents unlike certain other cities around the world such as London, Frankfurt, Tokyo and Paris. You will find this link helpful: http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/Obtaining-an-ITIN-from-Abroad and also Ernst and Young (maybe even Deloitt) are authorized CPAs for IRS worldwide.

All the best



Dr. Sandeep Shankar, Colorado Heights University, Denver, CO 80223, USA. www.chu.edu; sshankar@chu.edu