Hi @caeli,
"I would just like to clarify, when you used TaxAct to file your PA state return, since it has to be mailed as you said, did you write down "NRA" manually under your spouse's SSN? I used their system and so far, as you said, for the federal return, it auto populated "NRA" under the same field. But when I printed out the state return, it was left blank."
Apologies for the delayed response. Will share some notes that I have from last year:
In 2018, I filed all electronic. So for last year's tax filing (2019), to know which documents needed physically mailed/included for State, I downloaded my 2018 Total Year Return, scrolled to State, and noted anything that wasn't marked: "keep for your records". For myself, I had to provide:
> W2
> PA-40 DOR - handwrote "NRA" in replace of my spouses SSN
> PA Schedule-B
> PA Schedule W-2S (wage statement summary)
> If you owe money, then a Check, with Memo Line as: "[last 4 of SSN] / Tax year 2020".
Obviously.. the docs will probably vary for you. And possibly, your prior year return, is not exact indication of what's required this year.
Who to mail to? I used this: https://libguides.marshall.edu/c.php?g=622678&p=4337331
Also, I called my local district tax office to confirm the process of handwriting "NRA". The woman said no problem, but advised to include a brief letter in with my Forms, explaining:
My Spouse, [name] is a [country of origin] Citizen. At no point in [tax year] did [spouse name] enter the United States; nor does she have any PA Sourced Income for [tax year]. She is currently considered a Non-Resident Alien (NRA). On Form PA-40, for "Spouse’s Social Security Number" I hand wrote "NRA" because she does not have a Social Security Number [SSN] and she does not qualify for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number [ITIN].
It was acceptable to key-in "NRA" in replace of her "SSN/ITIN", when filling my Federal Taxes. If there any questions, please email me at: [email address removed] or, call at [phone number]
Good luck,
CG
