How to e-file in New York when you need to write 'Non resident alien' on your foreign spouse's SSN# on paper form?

[gahouwong]

'Writing "non-resident alien" in place of SSN for foreign spouse on "married but filing separately" return.'----that's what they told me to do. However, New York state requires e-filing but I can only write 'NRA' in the paper form. Does anyone know what to do? 

[DoninGA]

A tax return, federal or state, cannot be e-filed when entering NRA in the Social Security field.  The New York state tax return will have to be printed and mailed.  New York allows a state tax return to be mailed if the software being used to file the return does not support electronic filing.

[gahouwong]

Thank you for the reply. In my case, I received a message that I 'must' e-file because I used software (turbotax). That's why I'm confused because I need to enter 'NRA' on the printed form.

[DoninGA]

Disregard the message.  You must print and mail the state return since you are going to enter NRA in the Social Security number box.

[chigat]

I have the same issue - plus I am wondering how we are meant to write NRA on the NYS tax return when it explicitly states "No Handwritten entries"

[Carmen256]

This is the same problem that I am faced with, my last choice was to find empty forms and fill out the information that Turbo Tax generated for me. I'm not 100% sure if it will work out

[ErnieS0]

Yes you can copy your tax information onto New York fill-in forms @Carmen256. It's a long process but it ensures you will meet the requirement's of the state's e-filing mandate.

E-file requirement for individual taxpayers

[rebeccakatz72]

did this work out for you?

[sd0n05]

Did this work for you? I’m in the same situation right now.

[JulieS]

No, you can't e-file a tax return with "NRA" written in the SSN field. You aren't technically required to e-file in that circumstance. 

The NY e-file mandate is this:

"You're required to electronically file your return if you meet all three of the following conditions:

• you use software to prepare your own personal income tax return; and
• your software supports the electronic filing of your return; and
• you have broadband Internet access."   - NYS Department of Taxation and Finance

Since TurboTax doesn't support the electronic filing of a tax return without a SSN, you aren't required to e-file that return.