Filing my 2017 taxes-- need help!!!

[ad8816 32]

Hello! I was going to file my taxes today using H&R Block online service and I've encountered some confusion. Anyway, I got married in December 2017 and my husband is a citizen of Italy and we're in the process of the CR-1 Visa. He lives in Italy and I live in America, despite us being married. I have a job but my overall status is a full-time student, so I don't make much to begin with. My husband attends university in Italy and is a student, therefore, he is not employed. With the tax situation, I assumed "married filing separately" would be our status. However, when I input my husband's info it was asking for his SSN (which he doesn't have) or an ITIN (also doesn't have and I wasn't entirely sure what that is). I'm not sure what all this trouble is about, especially because he doesn't have a job in Italy, doesn't have a GC/SSN or anythign that ties him to being an American taxpayer or citizen at this point. I just don't know what to do next!

I'm sure the people on VJ have some good advice and hopefully someone can answer me questions! Thanks in advance!

Edited February 17, 2018 by ad8816

[Ontarkie 14,231]

~~Moved to Taxes and Finances, from Off Topics.~~

[Wuozopo 4,293]

On 2/17/2018 at 1:32 PM, ad8816 said:

With the tax situation, I assumed "married filing separately" would be our status. However, when I input my husband's info it was asking for his SSN (which he doesn't have) or an ITIN (also doesn't have and I wasn't entirely sure what that is). I'm not sure what all this trouble is about, especially because he doesn't have a job in Italy, doesn't have a GC/SSN or anythign that ties him to being an American taxpayer or citizen at this point. I just don't know what to do next!

 

ITIN- individual taxpayer identification number for those not eligible for a SSN. 

If you read the actual IRS instructions for form 1040, it says 

Be sure to enter your spouse's SSN or ITIN on Form 1040. If your spouse doesn't have and isn't required to have an SSN or ITIN, enter “NRA.” 

 

BUT whether H&R online programmed their software to accept alpha characters in a numeric field is the question. And whether IRS programmed their efile acceptance to allow nonnumeric in that field is another question.  

 

You can go through everything and correct all the errors the software suggests except the one that says You must have a SSN or ITIN in this field. Then print a paper return, write in NRA, attach W2s on the first page where indicated in the left margin, look up where to mail based on your address, and mail it. Make a photocopy first for your records.

 

I have not used H&R online so kinda guessing about if they allow you to print, etc. or if they expect you to efile. Experiment with it.