How to file my 1040 after I married a Guyanese women.

[ldcarr53]

How do I file my 1040 for 2019 after marring my wife who is from Guyana in May she was here while we married in May then returned to Guyana while we are going through the immigrant visa process? I started out filing as married but don't have a SS# for her yet what do I do about that and is this the correct way to file my return? Thanks Larry  

[KarenJ2]

You will need to print and mail your return this year.

The easiest way is to file married filing separately and leave the SSN space in TurboTax blank, complete your return (ignore the review note that you are missing a SSN) and instead of e-file, print and mail your return.  You will need to write NRA (nonresident alien)  in the space for your wife's SSN on page one of the 1040.

If the software will not let you complete and print your return without a SSN or ITIN for your wife, you then need to enter a "dummy" SSN (305-44-0002) in the software and after printing your return, you need to "white-out" the "dummy" SSN and then enter NRA before mailing your return.

How to print and mail your return in TurboTax online

[ldcarr53]

Thanks how come intuit can't come up with some thing better than that to solve such a minor problem that's a lot of BS to do. But thanks again I know you didn't design the program but all that mail time is a waste.

[DavidD66]

The IRS won't allow a tax return to be e-filed with a missing tax ID #.  

you have two choices in filing your taxes.

Option 1

Treat your spouse as resident alien for tax purposes.   If you do this, you will need to include your spouse's worldwide income in your US tax return and it will be subject to US taxes.  To do this follow these steps.

1. Attach a statement to your tax return, signed by both spouses, that states that one spouse is a nonresident alien and the other is a U.S. citizen or resident alien, and you are choosing to both be treated as US residents for the tax year.
2. List the name, address and Social Security number (or Individual Taxpayer Identification number) of each spouse. If your spouse has a social security number you will use it.  If not, you will need to apply for a number using Form SS-5.  If your spouse is not eligible to apply for a Social Security number, complete a Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw7.pdf).  This form will be attached to your tax return.  Turbo Tax does not support the Form W-7.  You can complete it outside of Turbo Tax.  You will have to print, sign and mail your return in if you are using Form W-7.
3. For the first year you make the choice, you have to file a joint return. In later years you can file joint or separate returns. Married Filing Jointly will give you a higher standard deduction and has other benefits that are not available using a married filing separately status, but you do have to include your spouse’s worldwide income in joint income.

Option 2

Treat your spouse as a nonresident alien for tax purposes. You will not have to include your spouse’s non-US income on your U.S. tax return. You will have to use the filing status of Married Filing Separately.

https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/Nonresident-Spouse-Treated-as-a-Resident

If everyone on the tax return has a social security number or ITIN, you should mail your return to the address listed in the 1040 instructions.  Tax returns with a Form W-7 should be mailed to the Austin TX address.