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Returning Member
posted Feb 13, 2025 7:54:41 PM

My wife is Canadian and has applied for her SSN but doesn't have one yet, how do I get passed the part where it keeps asking for the SS when I said she doesn't have one?

We are married but I cant find the forms to fill out saying we are filing separate, but married.

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15 Replies
Expert Alumni
Feb 13, 2025 8:12:36 PM

When choosing married filing separately because a Nonresident Alien Spouse has no Social Security Number, you have the following options:

 

  • Attempt to e-file the return with the Social Security Number field blank, using the instructions below.
  • Print your entire tax return, write “NRA” where the spouse's social security number or ITIN should be, and mail it to the appropriate IRS office.
  • Print your entire tax return and apply for an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) for your spouse which will allow you to easily e-file future returns.  Attach Form W-7 and all required documentation to your paper return. Take the package to a Certified Acceptance Agent, an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center, or mail to the IRS office listed in the W-7 instructions.

Follow these steps to send your return electronically:

  1. Prepare your return in TurboTax.
  2. On the screen for your spouse’s information enter a name and date of birth. Leave the Social Security number field blank. Select Continue.
  3. On the screen Tell us a bit more, check the box My spouse was a nonresident alien at any time during 2024. Select Continue.
  4. Continue through the screens, bypassing any messages or warnings about the absence of the spouse social security number.
  5. Indicate that you would like to e-file your return and follow the instructions in the program to register or pay and transmit your return.

If your return will not transmit, or is rejected, return and follow these additional steps:

  1. When you get to the “Let’s get ready to e-file” screen, select File by Mail.
  2. TurboTax will continue to 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 the abbreviation “NRA”) in the space for your spouse’s Social Security number before mailing your return.
  3. Mail the return to the address on the instruction sheet that prints with your return.

For additional information click here.

Returning Member
Feb 13, 2025 8:42:46 PM

It still will not let me go past the part where it says to file by mail. There is no option to continue.

Returning Member
Feb 13, 2025 8:44:56 PM

Every time I try to leave it blank, it brings me back to it. And it will not let me write NRA in the box. 

Expert Alumni
Feb 13, 2025 8:52:00 PM

If your return will not transmit, follow these additional steps:

  1. When you get to the “Let’s get ready to e-file” screen, select File by Mail.
  2. TurboTax will continue to 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 the abbreviation “NRA”) in the space for your spouse’s Social Security number before mailing your return.
  3. Mail the return to the address on the instruction sheet that prints with your return.

Returning Member
Feb 13, 2025 8:54:05 PM

When I go to print the pages, the pages are completely blank. 

Returning Member
Feb 13, 2025 8:57:37 PM

  

This is the part where I should be clicking to print correct? because once I click that. the pages are blank when I download them.

 

 

 

Expert Alumni
Feb 13, 2025 9:04:00 PM

To see or print a PDF of your tax return, let's try another way.  Follow these steps in: 

TurboTax Online

  1. Open or continue your return.
  2. Select Continue or Start on Tax Home to enter your return.
  3. Select Tax Tools from the menu on the right
  4. Select Print Center, choose Print, save, or preview this year's return, and follow the instructions.
    • If you haven't yet paid your TurboTax Online fee (or registered, if you're using a free version), you'll need to do so before you can save pr print the PDF.

Returning Member
Feb 13, 2025 9:07:55 PM

After going through those steps it brings me right back the "let's get ready to e-file" stage where I try to select the file by mail, I go through all the steps and then it puts me right back to the beginning. I will screenshot each one in order. 

Expert Alumni
Feb 13, 2025 9:08:49 PM

The screenshot, you sent is a step in the billing process. It likely means you need to complete all the steps in the filing process, including payment, before you can print your return in TurboTax.

Returning Member
Feb 13, 2025 9:14:27 PM

 

Here are all 8 steps, after I get to step 8, EVERY TIME it makes me go back to step 1 without giving me an option like youre saying. 

 

 

Returning Member
Feb 13, 2025 9:15:22 PM

I hit the continue button, at the billing part and it sends me back. 

Returning Member
Feb 13, 2025 9:16:59 PM

Also of course its saying there is a problem with the filing, because I don't have the SSN. Which is what I am trying to circumnavigate. 

Expert Alumni
Feb 13, 2025 9:29:18 PM

According to the clarifying screenshots, you have selected "Pay with my Refund." The "Pay with my Refund" option is only available for electronically filed returns, which isn't currently available because your wife doesn't have a SSN or ITIN.

 

To select the "File by Mail" option, you'll need to change your payment method from "Pay by Refund" to "Pay by Credit or Debit Card." .

 

Follow these steps to update your payment method:

  1. Log in to TurboTax: Open TurboTax and log in to your account.
  2. Go to the Payment Section: Navigate to the section where you select your payment method.
  3. Change Payment Method: Select "Credit or Debit Card" instead of "Pay by Refund."
  4. Enter Card Details: Enter your credit or debit card information as prompted.
  5. Save Changes: Make sure to save your changes.
  6. File by Mail Option: Once you've updated your payment method, the "File by Mail" option will become available. Select this option and continue to the next step.

Returning Member
Feb 13, 2025 9:33:40 PM

So I have to pay out of pocket up front because of the site's incompetence? Is there anyone I can talk to about this? I am  going to pay now to get this done and over with, but I have a large following of people and will let them know about how inconvenient this is. Is there someone I can discuss this with and have a follow-up conversation about this and find some kind of compensation. I am PAYING to have this done but yet I have to do the work myself? This feels like a scam.  

Expert Alumni
Feb 13, 2025 9:43:27 PM

To contact TurboTax support, you have a few options:

 

  • Phone Support: You can call TurboTax customer service at 1-888-777-3066. They are available 7 days a week from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM PT
  • Online Support: Visit the TurboTax Support page.