When choosing married filing separately because a Nonresident Alien Spouse has no Social Security Number, you have the following options:
- Attempt to e-file the return with the Social Security Number field blank, using the instructions below.
- Print your entire tax return, write “NRA” where the spouse's social security number or ITIN should be, and mail it to the appropriate IRS office.
- Print your entire tax return and apply for an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) for your spouse which will allow you to easily e-file future returns. Attach Form W-7 and all required documentation to your paper return. Take the package to a Certified Acceptance Agent, an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center, or mail to the IRS office listed in the W-7 instructions.
Follow these steps to send your return electronically:
- Prepare your return in TurboTax.
- On the screen for your spouse’s information enter a name and date of birth. Leave the Social Security number field blank. Select Continue.
- On the screen Tell us a bit more, check the box My spouse was a nonresident alien at any time during 2024. Select Continue.
- Continue through the screens, bypassing any messages or warnings about the absence of the spouse social security number.
- Indicate that you would like to e-file your return and follow the instructions in the program to register or pay and transmit your return.
If your return will not transmit, or is rejected, return and follow these additional steps:
- When you get to the “Let’s get ready to e-file” screen, select File by Mail.
- TurboTax will continue to give you an error regarding the missing Social Security Number or ITIN for your spouse. Proceed to print with the error, but write Nonresident Alien (or the abbreviation “NRA”) in the space for your spouse’s Social Security number before mailing your return.
- Mail the return to the address on the instruction sheet that prints with your return.
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