topic I am married but separated. It’s not a legal seperation so I chose the married option. What do I do if he won’t let me add his social security number? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

I am married but separated. It’s not a legal seperation so I chose the married option. What do I do if he won’t let me add his social security number?

amjenk2184 — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 06:34:33 GMT

Re: I am married but separated. It’s not a legal seperation so I chose the married option. What do I do if he won’t let me add his social security number?

Opus 17 — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 17:10:17 GMT

If you are still married you must file either married filing jointly (if you both agree) or married filing separately. When filing separately, each spouse must put the other spouse's SSN on their return, if you need his SSN, he needs yours. This is not complicated and there is no reason to refuse except to be a jerk.

If your spouse refuses, you must file by mail, you can't e-file. You will need to use a fake SSN to get turbotax to print the return, try 999-88-1234. After the return is printed, use some whiteout to cover the fake SSN. Attach a written explanation that your spouse refuses to give you their SSN, and provide the spouse's full name, birthdate, and current address. Sign and mail your return with the attachment.

Note that if you provide care in your home for a qualifying child dependent, you may be able to file as head of household, in which case you do not need your spouse's SSN.

Re: I am married but separated. It’s not a legal seperation so I chose the married option. What do I do if he won’t let me add his social security number?

DoninGA — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 17:10:52 GMT

You will have to print and mail the tax return if you cannot enter their SS number. Using TurboTax for their SS number enter 999-88-9999 so that you can complete the tax return. Print the tax return for mailing and then erase or white-out their SS number and enter Unknown.

See this TurboTax support FAQ for printing a tax return for mailing - https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/printers-printing/print-mail-return-turbotax-online/L5bwuqXGy_US_en_US?uid=m6gqgy28