How can I file taxes with my new foreign spouse who doesn't have a social security number

[DoninGA]

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@BOZMAN 52 wrote:

does not have SSN yet

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If you are a US citizen or US resident and your spouse does not have a Social Security number or an ITIN and you are not applying for an ITIN with the tax return then you can only file your tax return as Married Filing Separately.  Where asked to enter the spouse's Social Security number enter 999-88-9999.  You can only print and mail your tax return, it cannot be e-filed.  When you print the tax return erase the Social Security number for your spouse and manually enter NRA for non-resident alien.

See this TurboTax support FAQ for the procedure to print and mail a tax return using the online editions - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1944348-how-do-i-print-and-mail-my-return-in-turbotax-online

[halfdome]

Why must I print tax return to write in NRA (Non Resident Alien) for my spouse and mail to IRS? Why doesn't the Turbo Tax software allow me to enter NRA and e-file?

[DoninGA]

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@halfdome wrote:

Why must I print tax return to write in NRA (Non Resident Alien) for my spouse and mail to IRS? Why doesn't the Turbo Tax software allow me to enter NRA and e-file?

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Because the IRS will not accept an e-filed Form 1040 with the Social Security number box having any alpha characters.  Only numeric digits are allowed in the SS number box for e-filing.

[enioni]

What if i e-file with the dummy SSN for my non resident wife? 

[JulieS]

If you e-file with a dummy SSN, you return will be rejected as it will not match the Social Security Administration's files.

[Kz1992]

My spouse lives aboard, she is currently in process of getting in CR1 visa. She is a house wife and has no income aboard. How would I file taxes? We have been married since January 2022.

Thank you

[DoninGA]

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@Kz1992 wrote:

My spouse lives aboard, she is currently in process of getting in CR1 visa. She is a house wife and has no income aboard. How would I file taxes? We have been married since January 2022.

Thank you

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If you are a US citizen or US resident and your spouse does not have a Social Security number or an ITIN and you are not applying for an ITIN with the tax return then you can only file your tax return as Married Filing Separately.  Where asked to enter the spouse's Social Security number enter 999-88-9999.  You can only print and mail your tax return, it cannot be e-filed.  When you print the tax return erase the Social Security number for your spouse and manually enter NRA for non-resident alien.

See this TurboTax support FAQ for the procedure to print and mail a tax return using the online editions - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1944348-how-do-i-print-and-mail-my-return-in-turbotax-online

[sd0n05]

I have the same problem

[DaveF1006]

There are two procedures to prepare your return..

Prepare your return by Filing Married Filing Jointly. Be sure to include all world wide income in this return for both spouses.

1. Attach a statement to your tax return, signed by both spouses, that states that one spouse is a nonresident alien and the other is a U.S. citizen or resident, and you are choosing to both be treated as US residents for the tax year.
2. List the name, address and Social Security number (or Individual Taxpayer Identification number) of each spouse.  You will need to complete a Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) ( http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw7.pdf).  This form will be attached to your tax return.  Turbo Tax does not support the Form W-7.  You can complete it outside of Turbo Tax.  You will have to print, sign and mail your return in if you are using Form W-7. If you haven't received an ITIN or Social Security number prior to filing,  put NRA in the social security field. You will need to file this return by mail.
3. Mail the return to the address on the instruction sheet that prints with the return.
    

 For the first year you make the choice, you have to file a joint return. In later years you can file joint or separate returns. Married Filing Jointly will give you a higher standard deduction and has other benefits that are not available using a married filing separately status, but you do have to include your spouse’s worldwide income in joint income.

You may also file Married Filing Separate by:

1. Prepare your return in TurboTax by choosing the option as Married Filing Separately.
2. When you get to the Let’s get ready to e-file screen, select File by Mail.
3. TurboTax will give you an error regarding the missing Social Security number or ITIN for your spouse. Proceed to print with the error, but write Nonresident Alien or NRA in the space for your spouse’s Social Security number before mailing in your return.
4. Mail the return to the address on the instruction sheet that prints with the return.

@sd0n05