No SSN or ITIN for Tax return, resident alien

[fergusmacdermot]

I'm filling in the tax return for my wife (joint filing). This is our first year as resident aliens. She has no income and so is not eligible for a SSN. To fill in the tax return, I need a ITIN. To get an ITIN, I need a tax return. What should I do? Is it best jsut to ring the tax office and ask?

[LinaJ2018 · Accepted solution]

You cannot e-file your tax return with TurboTax due to the missing SSN or ITIN.  However, you can still use TurboTax program to prepare your tax forms and submit them by mail. 

-In the program, as you enter the information, leave the SSN space blank

-After entering all your information, print out returns and required forms ( write APPLIED in the SSN space) 

-As TurboTax does not support the Form W-7, fill out the forms by following

 https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/General-ITIN-Information and attach to other required  documentation

-Submit everything including your tax forms to IRS Austin location in Texas.  ( Form W-7 instructions)