I am a H1B visa holder applying for married filing jointly return. My wife (H4) doesn't have SSN/ITIN and the only way to get it is by filing taxes. How should I proceed?

[hamzakh93]

Are there any best practices of leaving the SSN section empty?

[Vanessa A]

 You will need to print and mail your return as the IRS will not accept the return electronically without your spouses ITIN/SSN.  On the return you can include a note that says she does not have a SSN or ITIN or you can apply for the ITIN using for W7.

If you are filing jointly and want to apply for an ITIN, you will need to print and mail your return along with the W-7 and any other required documents to

IRS

ITIN Operation

P.O. Box 149342

Austin, TX 78714-9342 

[hamzakh93]

Thanks Vanessa! One followup: TurboTax requires I input a SSN/ITN in order to proceed with filing the taxes. Should I input a dummy ITN for spouse and then remove it manually from the printed forms? 

[DaveF1006]

Follow these precise steps.

1. Prepare your return in TurboTax.
2. When you get to the Let’s get ready to e-file screen, select File by Mail.
3. Attach a statement to your return, signed by each of you that states that one of you is a U.S. citizen and the other is a nonresident alien and that you’re electing to both be treated as U.S. residents for tax purposes. Include the full name, address and Social Security number (or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) of each spouse. This won’t affect the immigration status of the nonresident alien.
4. Mail the return to the address on the instruction sheet that prints with the return.

If your spouse doesn’t have a Social Security number or ITIN, you’ll need to apply for one when you mail in your return. To do this, follow steps 1–3 above and then do this:

1. Fill out Form W-7 and attach it to your return, as well as all necessary documentation.
2. Mail the return to the address specified in the Form W-7 instructions.

Note: TurboTax will give you an error regarding the missing Social Security number for your spouse. You can ignore the error since you’re printing your return.

hamzakh93