I have SSN because of my work visa but my wife doesn't because she is dependent on me. What do I do?

[mainorarcia]

My wife doesn't have SSN nor ITIN. How can I add her to my tax report?

[MaryK4]

Your wife must have an ITIN if you are going to file a joint return with her.  Otherwise, you can file Married Separate.  See Individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN).

[mainorarcia]

They say (website) that is going to take like 7 weeks to get that number!!!!!
She can't file separate cause she is not reporting anything. She doesn't work.

[MaryK4]

If she is not A citizen or resident alien and has no U.S. income, she does not have to file a tax return. @mainorarcia 

[mainorarcia]

Correct, she is a non resident alien.  But, if I add her to my report, I pay less taxes.... isn't it?

[SusanY1]

If you wish to add your wife to the return and file jointly, you may do so, but you do have to apply for the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and you must make an election to treat her as a resident for tax purposes (this election does not change her actual immigration status).  

To do this you will enter her name into TurboTax, check the box that says she is a nonrsident alien and then answer "yes" to the follow-up questions asking if you would like to treat her as a nonresident for the entire year and yes that it is the first time you are choosing to treat her as a resident.   

You will then need to print your return, sign it on the signature lines of Form 1040 and also sign the statement that TurboTax will generate "Election to Treat Nonresident Alien Spouse as a Resident of the U.S. IRC 6013(g).  Note that this is a once-in-a-lifetime election and that if revoked later you cannot elect it again.  This also means the inability to elect it in the future with a different spouse.

Include this, along with a signed Form W-7 and all original required supporting documents with the tax return and mail it to the address provided in the Form W-7 instructions.  In lieu of sending in original documents you may be able to take your tax return to an IRS center (if one is near you) or you can find a Certifying Acceptance Agent to assist you with the Form W-7.  

The IRS will issue the ITIN (and send you a letter by mail with the number) and then they will place the number on your tax return for you and forward it for processing.  

In future years you will be able to e-file with the ITIN, but this year the process will be a little slower to allow time for the ITIN processing and for the time to process a paper return.  

Your tax return will be considered "filed" on the day that it is postmarked and sent to the ITIN office, so no need to worry about a late return due to the processing time for the ITIN as long as you mail it by the deadline to file (including extensions).  If you live in a state where you must file a state tax return, please file an extension so that you can mail it in after you receive the ITIN for your spouse.