Non resident alien spouse social security number

[m_zepeda]

I am using intuits website  to file my taxes.
I am filing jointly with a NRA so she doesnt have a SSN or ITIN yet, I was told I needed to print the tax return and mail it, however the website wont let me continue without here SSN or ITIN, how can finish filing?

[ChristinaS]

You cannot file a joint return with a spouse and not get an ITIN. The NRA option is only available if you file Married Filing Separately and do not claim an exemption for your spouse.  On a joint return, the tax return is hers too- she cannot file a US tax return without an identifying number.

In all cases, the tax return must be filed by mail.

If you want to file jointly, you must file an election statement with your tax return AND file Form W-7 with the IRS, requesting a tax ID#. This process takes 8-12 weeks, and you must provide documentation to the IRS with your W-7 application.

Whichever option you choose, you can enter the "dummy" number of 999-88-9999 (or something very close) in Turbo Tax. White that out and put "NRA" or write 'ITIN applied for" if you wish to file a joint return. You cannot file a joint return without the W7 procedure.

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/nonresident-spouse-treated-as-a-resident

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/individual-taxpayer-identification-number-itin

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw7.pdf

[ChristinaS]

typo:  an exemption for your spouse. You can only do the NRA if you are not claiming an exemption for your spouse

[m_zepeda]

Do I need to select "Foreign" instead of a state while declaring taxes for my spouse?

[ChristinaS]

Yes.... we do have 40 something states with taxes, so we can't generalize too much. Your state return may not allow you to file jointly with a spouse who isn't in the US at all. If you are going to go through with the federal joint return, you may need to print and mail that and then switch the federal  to Married Separate and prepare and print a married separate state return.

[m_zepeda]

Thanks, just one more question , IRS says that my spouses income needs to be reported aswell, can I do that with TurboTax ?

[ChristinaS]

Yes, you report worldwide income if you file a joint return. You would need to translate currency. Its not necessarily easy if your spouse has a lot of income, or complicated income, but you can definitely do it with Turbo Tax. Turbo Tax handles some complex returns.