MFS is paper-filing necessary? (Spouse w/out SSN and ITIN)

[pharuhq 0]

I am a US citizen residing abroad with my wife. I am employed by a US-based non-profit, receiving salary in my US-based account.

I am filing my taxes for the first time this year.

I have read that e-filing (TurboTax) is not an option for MFS (married filing separately), and that I must paper-file and write "NRA" for my wife's SSN. Is this true? I am IRS-illiterate, and would greatly appreciate some assistance.

Is it necessary to paper-file? If so, how can I do this?

Is there a step-by-step walkthrough available on how to paper-file taxes?

Thanks for your help.

[rasglobal 0]

Is anyone help me out how to fill out form 1040x married filing separately no ssn, do my wife need to sign (initial) next to her name ? or just put her name. How long it take to get amended. Thanks for your support.

[JohnR! 5,495]

For both:

If your spouses do not have SSN/ITIN, you will not be able to file electronically. You can still use TurboTax or any other app to do your taxes, at the end of which you wil need to print out the forms and mail them.

You can get more information from the IRS directly: http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/U.S.-Citizens-and-Resident-Aliens-Abroad---Nonresident-Alien-Spouse

It is a long, long read but well worth the time.

good luck!