If your spouse doesn't have a Social Security number or an ITIN, and you are not applying for an ITIN for your spouse, you will have to file as Married Filing Separately.
You can try to e-file your tax return, leaving your spouse's social security number blank. You will first enter your spouse's information in TurboTax leaving her Social Security number blank and continue to the next screen "Tell Us a Bit More". You will check the box "My spouse was a nonresident alien at any time during 2024" and continue.
Continue through your screens, ignoring the error messages about your spouse Social Security number. Indicate that you would like to e-file your return. If you are unable to e-file you will have to print and mail your return per the above instructions.
To print and mail in your tax return, you will write "NRA" (nonresident alien) on your printed return in your spouse's Social Security number box. Instructions for printing and mailing your return are below.
Keep in mind that filing as Married Filing Separately will give you a lower Standard Deduction. You may also lose certain tax credits you would otherwise be eligible for.
If you want to file your tax return jointly with your spouse you will have to apply for an ITIN with your tax return and you will have to make a statement with your tax return, signed by both of you indicating that one spouse is a US citizen and the other is a nonresident alien and that you’re electing that both be treated as U.S. residents for tax purposes. You should include your full names, addresses, and your Social Security number in the statement.
You can use this link to Apply for an ITIN . You will do this using Form W-7. The article has a link to Form W-7. This can't be done through TurboTax.
You will print and mail in your tax return along with Form W-7. You will write "APPLIED" on your printed return in your spouse's Social Security number box.
Click here for information on printing and mailing your return.
Click here for additional information on ITINS.
Click here for additional information on US Citizens and Nonresident Aliens abroad.
Click here for additional information on filing your tax return with a Nonresident spouse.
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