I'm nonresident(J1 vise) have 2 kids that weren't born in the USA and dont have(and cant get) SSN but the system keep ask for this number! last year I didnt have problem

[tzarum]

last year I didnt have such a problem and didnt need SSN. please dont answer something like "you need SSN in order to fill the form" since it is not solving my problem

[DoninGA]

Do they have an ITIN?

[tzarum]

No, and as I wrote last year I did not need it when I did tax return. thank you

[DoninGA]

How did you file a tax return last year?  Did you print and mail the return?  A tax return cannot be e-filed if the dependents claimed on the return have neither a Social Security number or an ITIN.

[tzarum]

I used the turbotax. Do I need it only if I claim on them as dependents for return? I know that I cant get tax return on them so can I just remove them from the form?
thank you

[DoninGA]

You can remove them as dependents in the Personal Info section of the program.  Click on Personal Info.  On the dependents section click on edit.  On the dependent's name click on delete.

[tzarum]

hi
Just to be sure, in the Personal info I need to report only on kids that I want to claim as dependents for return?
Thank you

[DoninGA]

Correct...

[tzarum]

thank you so much, best
Nati

[bine22]

you say you are on J1. Since when are you in the US and is it a student or nonstudent visa?

[tzarum]

Hi
Since July 2013, I am a postdoc

[bine22 · Accepted solution]

On J1 you are a nonresident alien for the first 2 years, so i hope you filed form 1040NR plus form 8843 for 2013 and 2014.

After that you are a resident alien, if you meet the substantial presence test. As a resident alien you can claim your dependents, but you need to have ITIN numbers for them. If you applied for ITINs last year, you would use the same numbers again. If you did not apply for one, I strongly recommend you do this year, as you get a dependent exemption for each child plus $1000 child tax credit, if you apply before the filing deadline. To apply for an ITIN use form W7. You will also need a certified copy of the passports (certified by the issuing agency). https://www.irs.gov/uac/about-form-w7

If you did not apply for ITINs last year, you can also amend your return to receive the dependency exemptions, but not the child tax credit, but it still might give you an additional refund.