Parent has no SSN

biyao73 — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 08:07:27 GMT

Hi, I am not a citizen but I am a resident alien for tax purposes.

However, I entered my 1098-T form information, and then it asks me about my parent's SSN but my parents are NRA so they don't have SSN. Hence, can I still e-file by using some dummy SSN? Or should I file my tax return by mail?

Thanks!

Re: Parent has no SSN

DawnC — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 22:23:03 GMT

You won't be able to e-file if your tax return requires Form 8615 and your parents don't file taxes in the US (they don't have SSNs). The 1098-T is showing scholarship income which is unearned income, so the form is automatically attached. Since you parents' don't file US, the Kiddie Tax will be zero, but the form is still attached to your return. Anything you put in that field will get rejected as a mismatch.

When TurboTax asks whether your parents are filing a joint tax return, answer Yes, even though they aren't. When it asks for your parents' taxable income, enter zero. That is true, since they have no U.S. taxable income. Leave all the other income questions blank.

Also leave your parent's Social Security Number blank. When the error check tells you that the SSN must be entered, just click Continue. You will not be able to e-file. Print the tax return. In the space for the parent's SSN on Form 8615, write NRA (for Nonresident Alien). File the mailing instructions that print out with your tax return. Don't forget to sign it before mailing it.

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Parent has no SSN

Re: Parent has no SSN