@lei-liu-steam , unfortunately ( and only because your spouse does not have a tax id ) you cannot file by e-file. The only option here is to use a dummy SSN ( obviously fake like 123-45-6789 or 123-45-8000 ) for your wife while preparing the return ( just top pass all the checks that the software must make ). Once all is copacetic, then select to file by mail. This will allow you to print "filing copy " of both Federal and State returns. On the printed forms, replace your spouse's SSN with " N R A ".
now sign & date the returns and mail these to the appropriate addresses .
The other way around this is to apply for a tax ID for her ( ITIN ), but that is a bit more involved and if there is no plan for her to come join you here in the USA, it may not be worth the trouble. This is especially true if there is no plan for her to submit her Foreign ( China ) income to US taxes ( even though she could use the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion to not have US tax her income ONLY for federal purposes -- the states may still tax it ).
Is there more I can do for you ?
Xie-Xie
pk
(a) are you a US person ( citizen/GreenCard/Resident for Tax purposes )?
(b) Is this your first filing after getting married ?
(c) Which country is your spouse now in ? Is she a citizen/resident there?
(d) if you are not a citizen or GreenCard, which visa are you on ?
(e) Do you want to file as MFJ ( Married Filing Joint ) or MFS ?
(f) Does your wife have foreign income ?
Please answer my questions and IO will circle back --yes ?
Thank you so much for your kind reply.
Here is the brief information:
I really appreciate your assistance and kindness.
@lei-liu-steam , unfortunately ( and only because your spouse does not have a tax id ) you cannot file by e-file. The only option here is to use a dummy SSN ( obviously fake like 123-45-6789 or 123-45-8000 ) for your wife while preparing the return ( just top pass all the checks that the software must make ). Once all is copacetic, then select to file by mail. This will allow you to print "filing copy " of both Federal and State returns. On the printed forms, replace your spouse's SSN with " N R A ".
now sign & date the returns and mail these to the appropriate addresses .
The other way around this is to apply for a tax ID for her ( ITIN ), but that is a bit more involved and if there is no plan for her to come join you here in the USA, it may not be worth the trouble. This is especially true if there is no plan for her to submit her Foreign ( China ) income to US taxes ( even though she could use the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion to not have US tax her income ONLY for federal purposes -- the states may still tax it ).
Is there more I can do for you ?
Xie-Xie
pk