Foreign Spouse- No SSN

[daltonbradley]

I have lived in a foreign country for over a decade. This year I got married to a foreign person with no SSN. We have no US income. I am trying to file separately, but they want my husband's SSN. He will never have one and we never plan to live in the US. What number do I put in for the SSN?

[DoninGA]

Using TurboTax when asked to provide the spouse's Social Security number either enter all 9's or your Social Security number and change the last 4 digits.  

Since your spouse does not have a Social Security number or an ITIN and you are not applying for an ITIN, you will have to file as Married Filing Separately.  You can only print and mail your tax return, it cannot be e-filed.  After printing your tax return, you will have to erase or white-out the erroneous Social Security number entered for the spouse on Form 1040.  In the box for the spouse's SS number write in NRA (non-resident alien).

[daltonbradley]

I'm really glad I did NOT listen to this advice. According to the IRS website it is NOT possible to write in "NRA" or "non-resident alien" anymore- you MUST get your spouse an ITIN number. This involves a 7-week wait and a certified copy of your spouse's passport (apparently), which in turn involves a trip to the US embassy and $50 payment to notarize. <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/general-itin-information">https://www.irs.gov/individuals/general-it...>

[DoninGA]

@daltonbradley - Go to IRS Publication 17 Your Federal Income Tax page 22 - <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p17.pdf#page=22">https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p17.pdf#page=22</a>

"How to file. If you file a separate return, you generally report only your own income, exemptions, credits, and deductions. You can claim an exemption for your spouse only if your spouse had no gross income, isn't filing a return, and wasn't the dependent of another person.

You can file Form 1040. If your taxable income is less than $100,000, you may be able to file Form 1040A. Select this filing status by checking the box on line 3 of either form. Enter your spouse's full name and SSN or ITIN in the spaces provided. If your spouse doesn't have and isn't required to have an SSN or ITIN, enter “NRA” in the space for your spouse's SSN."

[bine22]

You only need an ITIN if you are claiming an exemption for your spouse or filing jointly. Otherwise the foreign spouse as no obligation to get an ITIN whatsoever.