Recently Married to a Nonresident Alien in 2024 - Filing Status?

[ajm2281]

Hello, 

I recently got married November 2024.  My wife is in the Philippines, a nonresident alien, and she does not qualify for a SSN.  I am using Turbo Tax to do my e-file, I selected Married Filing Separately as my status.  I selected for wife; she will not file 2024 tax return, we never lived together in 2024, and she is a non resident alien.   So far, I feel like everything is done correctly on TurboTax.  However when I go back, the box for non resident alien is always unchecked.

Turbo Tax is asking for SSN for my wife.  Will my e-file get rejected if left blank? 

The process/timing to request a ITIN is long.  Will I be able to amend my tax return as Married Filing Jointly once I receive a ITIN for my wife.

At the end of my federal return, Turbo Tax is asking if my wife will take the standard or itemized deduction, even though its not applicable.

Thank you in advance

[MaryK4]

You will not be able to e-file if your wife does not have a ITIN.  

You can file your tax return with the ITIN application.  See How to apply for an ITIN.  If you send the application with the tax return, you can file Married Joint and then you do not have to amend.  

If it is possible, your wife should go to an acceptance agent in the Philippines to get her documents authenticated,  This is much faster and she does not have to mail them in.

For the satndard or itemized question, just select the way you will file.  If you and your spouse file separate returns and one of you itemizes deductions, the other spouse can’t use the standard deduction and should also itemize deductions.