Do I need to send any proof with my paper tax return if I am claiming my child as my dependent, but he doesn't have a SSN or ITIN number? If yes, what exactly?

[hash1492]

I am filing a paper tax return because my child and spouse don't have an SSN or ITIN. Do I need to send any documents as proof that he is my child? If yes, which documents?

[DavidD66]

You should attach the application(s) for Social Security Number (Form SS-5) or Application(s) for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number -ITIN (Form W-7).   

[hash_1492]

I haven’t applied for ssn or itin for child and don’t plan on applying right now. Is there any option? 

[ToddL99]

Unless your spouse or dependent child have a SSN or ITIN, you won't be able to include them on your U.S. tax return as a joint filer (wife) or dependent (child).

Here are your options for filing with your spouse, but the same ITIN requirement applies to  your dependent child.

• You can't file single if you were married on December 31, 2020  
• You can file "Married, Filing Separately", but won't get the tax benefits of Married Filing Jointly unless you can include your non-resident spouse on your tax return.   
• You can file a joint U.S. tax return with your non-resident spouse (see the following instructions). Your spouse will be treated as a U.S. resident for U.S. Federal Individual Income Tax purposes.  

Your non-resident spouse will have to obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) using Form W-7, you will have to file your return by mail (along with the Form W-7) and you will have to include a statement, signed by both of you, declaring that one spouse was a non-resident alien and the other spouse a U.S. citizen or resident alien on the last day of your tax year, and the non-resident spouse  chooses to be treated as U.S. resident for the entire tax year. 

How do I apply for an ITIN? Use the latest revision of Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to apply. Attach a valid federal income tax return, unless you qualify for an exception, and include your original proof of identity or copies certified by issuing agency and foreign status documents. 

See Instructions for Form W-7 

Because you are filing your tax return as an attachment to your ITIN application, you should not mail your return to the address listed in the Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ instructions. Instead, send your return, Form W-7 and proof of identity and foreign status documents to: 

Internal Revenue Service ITIN Operation 

P.O. Box 149342 

Austin, TX 78714-9342  

For additional information, see the IRS web article Nonresident Spouse Treated as a Resident 

Important: You can't prepare and print a tax return in TurboTax without an ITIN or SSN for you, your spouse and any dependents. 

The work-around for this situation is to use "Dummy" SSN/ITINs for your dependents. to prepare the return. You can use your own SSN/ITIN with different last numbers.  

Or use "305-44-0001, 0002, 0003 etc.", a dummy number we use for training. 

This should allow you to get through the Smart Checks and Reviews and print your return for filing by mail. "Erase" or white-out the dummy SSN/ITINs and replace with "Applied For".