hi, I got married in 2025 to a polish citizen. She didn't live in the US in 2025

If she does not have an SSN or ITIN and you choose to file Married Filing Separate, you can try typing NRA in as your spouses last name.  Make sure you put a check mark in the box that says My spouse is a Non-Resident alien in the My info section. When you get to the end and try to transmit the return, ignore the e-file errors regarding your NRA spouse and select transmit your return. If that does not work you will need to print and mail your return and write NRA (Non Resident Alien) in the space for her SSN. When you print your return, the instructions for mailing your return will be printed on the cover sheet of your return. 

 Depending on your situation and her income, you may want to consider married filing jointly. If your spouse chooses to be treated as an US Citizen for tax purposes, and you want to file as Married Filing Joint, you would need to include their income on your return. If you choose filing jointly, and they do not already have a SSN or ITIN, you will need to print and mail your return along with the W-7 and any other required documents to

IRS

ITIN Operation

P.O. Box 149342

Austin, TX 78714-9342

The benefit to filing as Married Filing Jointly with a spouse that has no income is that your standard deduction is increased to $31,500 instead of $15,750 and you are not excluded from several of the credits.  So depending on your current tax situation and his worldwide income, it may benefit you to include him on your return.

Married Filing Joint versus Separate

If you are maintaining a household for a qualified dependent, and you do not choose to treat your non resident alien spouse as a resident alien, you may be able to file as head of household and then you would not need to include him on your return. 
To qualify, you have to meet certain criteria. To file as Head of Household, you have to:

• Pay for more than half of the expenses for a qualifying household
• Be considered unmarried on the last day of the tax year or if married not have lived with your spouse at all for the last 6 months of the year
• Have a qualifying child or dependent

How should I file my taxes if my spouse is a nonresident alien?