e-file rejected due to non-resident alien spouse SSAN data not matching: need to mail in taxes, but which form?

[Pablo287]

I prepared my taxes yesterday. I'm an expat. and my wife is a non-resident alien. She doesn't have a tax identification number or SSAN. I've always entered her SSAN as [removed] and noted her as "NRA" on the form and mailed it in. I can claim her as a dependent (and have done so for the past 25 years). 

When I completed my forms yesterday Turbotax had e-file as an option. It's never done this before, and I figured that perhaps there had been an update that allowed me to finally be able to e-file my taxes. 

The form was rejected a few hours later because the SSAN data for my spouse didn't match IRS records. 

I understand I need to mail the form in (as always) with her SSAN blank (ignore Turbotax warnings) and with "NRA" noted in the SSAN.

My question is: which form do I need to mail in? The corrected 1040 filled out as noted before, or a 1040-X? Turbotax is only giving me the option to amend my return at this point. 

[pk · Accepted solution]

@Pablo287 , since your e-file was rejected -- choose to file  by mail ( as you have done in the past )-- Print,  replace the dummy SSN with "N  R  A " on the 1040 front face,  then   sign, date and mail-in.

You cannot use 1040-X -- that amended return is ONLY for accepted  and processed returns.

Does this make sense ?

Is there more I can do for you ?

[Pablo287]

Thank you very much, that does make sense. I was just unsure.

I wonder why Turbotax let me attempt an e-file this year? Every other year it's given me the message that due to special circumstances my taxes needed to be mailed.