Spouse doesn't have SSN...can I efile?

[DawnC]

No, you can file by mail, but you won't be able to e-file.  Each person on the tax return needs either a SSN or ITIN number in order to successfully e-file.  The Individual Tax Identification Number, or ITIN, allows taxpayers who don't have a Social Security Number (SSN) to file income tax returns. Unlike other forms of ID, ITINs only have one purpose—tax filing and reporting.

Both resident and nonresident aliens may obtain ITINs regardless of immigration status. Nonresident and resident aliens, their spouses and dependents can apply for an ITIN if they are not eligible for an SSN. Here’s who might need an ITIN:

• Nonresident aliens who are required to file a tax return
• Resident aliens who are required to file a tax return due to the number of days they reside in the U.S.
• Dependents or the spouse of a U.S. citizen or resident alien
• Dependents or spouse of nonresident alien visa holders

Tax filers who live abroad can also obtain an ITIN.   Nonresident Alien Spouse - IRS options

How do I get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)?   

[Opus 17]

No.

If you are married filing separately to a US citizen who won't give you the SSN, you will have to mail your return and include a written statement with your spouse's name, last known address, and a description of the circumstances. 

If you are married filing separately because your spouse is a non-resident alien, mail your return and write "NRA" in the space for their SSN.

If you are married filing jointly and your spouse does not have an SSN or ITIN, you must apply for one.  Mail your tax return along with form W-7 (ITIN application) and any proof required by the W-7, to the address for the W-7 application.  After the IRS issues the ITIN, they will process the tax return. 

[Critter-3]

Everybody listed on an income tax return MUST have a valid SS# or ITIN to efile a return.

If you are a US citizen and your spouse does not have a Social Security number or an ITIN and you are not applying for an ITIN with the tax return then you can only file your tax return as Married Filing Separately.  

Where you are asked to enter the spouse's Social Security number enter 999-88-9999.  You can only print and mail your tax return; it cannot be e-filed.  When you print the tax return erase the Social Security number for your spouse and manually enter NRA for non-resident alien.

See this TurboTax support FAQ for the procedure to print and mail a tax return using the online editions - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1944348-how-do-i-print-and-mail-my-return-in-turbotax-online

If you are filing your tax return as Married Filing Jointly you must apply for an ITIN with the tax return and you would need to be providing a statement with your tax return that you want your Nonresident Alien Spouse Treated as a Resident.  See IRS Publication 54 Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad pages 6 and 7 - https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p54.pdf

Go to this IRS website for ITIN information - https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/general-itin-information

 

 

 

How do I file with a W-7?

TurboTax doesn't include Form W-7, so you'll have to download it directly from the IRS, fill it in, and print it out (see these IRS instructions for help with that).

Then, complete your return as you normally would. Leave the applicant's Social Security Number field blank, and disregard any warnings about the empty field or missing health care info for the applicant.

When your return is finished, go to the File section and follow the steps to print a paper copy of your return, as you won't be able to e-file with a missing SSN.

Bring your printed, signed return (along with any attachments per the filing instructions, such as W-2s or 1099s), the completed W-7, proof of identity, and foreign status documents to your acceptance agent or an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center.

Alternatively, you can mail everything to:

Internal Revenue Service
Austin Service Center
ITIN Operation
P.O. Box 149342
Austin, TX 78714-9342

See also General ITIN Information at IRS.gov.

 

 

[Opus 17]

One more thing...if your spouse is eligible for an SSN, apply and wait to file your return until you get it.   Don't apply for an ITIN, and don't file by mail if your spouse is eligible for an SSN, just wait until you get it.   You should file an automatic extension if the SSN won't arrive until after May 17. 

[bfrank-eames]

ok thanks so much for all the info, guys.  I'm getting the picture

[Don333]

Odd that Turbotax doesn't have a better answer for this. Just throwing an error with no guidance is weird. Searches turn up some information, such as:

"some tax preparation software’s — such as Taxact — will allow you to e-file as Married Filing Separately without your spouse’s SSN or ITIN... Every year, I successfully e-file tax returns for my clients even when their spouses don’t have an ITIN or SSN."
https://oandgaccounting.com/need-itin-for-wife-even-though-married-filing-separately/

[HeatherPLO]

You are commenting on an older thread that may have outdated information.  Please restate your specific question here and we will be happy to help you. 

@Don333 

[Don333]

Sure, this thread is over a year old. The same question has been posted several times over several years. And yet, I have the exact same question today: Spouse doesn't have SSN...can I efile?   The answer hasn't changed: no efiling with Turbotax if spouse does not have a SSN or TIN.  Does this question have a ticket number at Turbotax? Or is it being ignored?  Is this a limitation of IRS efiling or just a Turbotax product decision?

[Don333]

It seems possible that Turbotax is just behind other products on this issue.

"What if you’re married filing separately without a spouse’s Social Security Number? You can still e-file by indicating they are a nonresident alien without an ITIN." https://www.hrblock.com/expat-tax-preparation/resource-center/filing/status/married-to-a-nonresi[pro...

[Don333]

This seems to be a Turbotax decision. Odd, but there it is.

"Posted February 22, 2019 I did one of these today. Spouse is a US citizen and husband lives in another country. Return was MFS, and I just marked the box that he was a nonresident alien. No problem with efile." https://www.atxcommunity.com/topic/21416-file-mfs-but-no-ss-number-for-non-citizen-spouse/

"you must print your return and file by mail. Prepare your return in TurboTax. When you get to the Let’s get ready to e-file screen, select File by Mail. TurboTax will give you an error...
https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-credits-deductions/[product key remo...