topic What if I don't know my spouse social security number and no way to contact her? in Retirement tax questions

What if I don't know my spouse social security number and no way to contact her?

sharick98 — Sat, 30 Oct 2021 05:04:34 GMT

I have no way of contacting my spouse and lost everything so don't have any paperwork that would have her social security number on it

Re: What if I don't know my spouse social security number and no way to contact her?

Critter-3 — Sat, 30 Oct 2021 14:02:41 GMT

Are you filing a joint return? Or are you filing separately ?

Did you file a prior year return with them on it ? If so get a copy of the return.

Re: What if I don't know my spouse social security number and no way to contact her?

xmasbaby0 — Sat, 30 Oct 2021 14:30:22 GMT

You cannot file a joint return without your spouse agreeing to file jointly. You can file married filing separately and attach a note saying that her SSN is unavailable. Or....if you are the custodial parent of the children you might be able to file Head of Household.

And....it is too late for you to start a tax return using the online software. If you have not yet started your 2020 return you are going to need the downloaded desktop software on a full PC or Mac. Your return will have to be printed and mailed; it cannot be e-filed.

Online preparation and e-filing for 2018 and 2019 and 2020 is permanently closed.

To file a return for a prior tax year

If you need to prepare a return for 2018, 2019 or 2020 you can purchase and download desktop software to do it, then print, sign, and mail the return(s)

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/past-years-products/

You may also want to explore purchasing the software from various retailers such as Amazon, Costco, Best Buy, Walmart, Sam’s, etc.

Remember to prepare your state return as well—if you live in a state that has a state income tax.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/state-taxes/help/how-do-i-contact-my-state-department-of-revenue/00/25573

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s. Use a mailing service that will track it, such as UPS or certified mail so you will know the IRS/state received the return.

Federal and state returns must be in separate envelopes and they are mailed to different addresses. Read the mailing instructions that print with your tax return carefully so you mail them to the right addresses.

Note: The desktop software you need to prepare the prior year return must be installed/downloaded to a full PC or Mac. It cannot be used on a mobile device.

If you are getting a refund, there is not a penalty for filing past the deadline. If you owe taxes, the interest/penalties will be calculated by the IRS based on how much you owe and when they receive your return and payment. The IRS will bill you for this; it will not be calculated by TurboTax.

Re: What if I don't know my spouse social security number and no way to contact her?

Opus 17 — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 23:25:40 GMT

The only time you should need a spouse's social security number is if you are legally married and filing jointly (together) or separately (separated). If filing separately, your spouse's SSN is required so the IRS can match your returns and make sure you followed certain rules. If you don't have the SSN, you can't e-file. Print your return, sign, and file by mail. Attach a written statement explaining that you are still married but are out of touch with your spouse. Give your spouse's full name, birthdate, and last known address.

You may need to use a fake SSN to get Turbotax to allow you to print a return. Try 999-88-9999, then cover it with white-out before you mail in the return.

Re: What if I don't know my spouse social security number and no way to contact her?

taxrooki — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:46:47 GMT

how do i get a copy of last year's return so i can find that info?

Re: What if I don't know my spouse social security number and no way to contact her?

DoninGA — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:48:18 GMT

@taxrooki

To access your current or prior year online tax returns sign onto the TurboTax website with the User ID you used to create the account - https://myturbotax.intuit.com/

Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and on the section Your tax returns & documents. Click on the Year and Click on Download/print return (PDF)

If you used the desktop CD/Download editions installed on your computer, the only copy of your tax data file and any PDF's will be on the computer where the return was created. TurboTax does not store online any returns completed using the desktop editions.

Go to this IRS website for free transcripts of a federal tax return - https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

For a fee of $30 you can get a complete federal tax return from the IRS by completing Form 4506 - http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506.pdf