You have two choices.
You can file as “married filing separately.” You only report your income and deductions. Use a fake tax number to get to the end of the interview, try 999–88–9999. Then print your return, sign it, and use some white out to cover the fake tax number and write “NRA.” You have to file by mail.
Your other option is to file as “married filing jointly.” This means making an election to treat your non-resident alien spouse as a US resident for tax purposes. This also means that you must report and pay US income tax on all your spouse’s worldwide income.If you or your spouse also pay income tax in the Philippines, you can claim a deduction or credit on your US tax return against those other taxes you paid. Your spouse will need an ITIN, international tax ID number, in order to file. In most cases, the IRS will not issue an ITIN unless the application is attached to a tax return. You will again need to use a fake tax number to complete the interview in TurboTax. Be sure to include all your spouse’s income and deductions. You will also separately prepare a form W-7 ITIN application. Print your tax return and sign it. Use white out to cover the fake tax number. Mail the tax return, the W-7, and any proof required by the W-7, to the IRS at the address for the W-7 application. After the IRS issues the ITIN, they will forward your tax return for processing.
