"NRA" instead of ITIN on tax return?

[NiniB. 1]

1 hour ago, Mike E said:

@Wuozopo
 

So that is promising because it seems it would let you e-file without an SSN or ITIN.  Thanks.  

I just tried and Turbo Tax will NOT allow you to e-file without a SSN or ITIN. 

I spoke with a Turbo Tax expert and it seemed the best option for me to be able to E-FILE is to request for an extension.

Extension allows you to file your taxes up until October 17, 2022. 

 

I am hoping and praying that by this time, I would have received the SSN for my husband and then file the taxes electronically. 

 

If you opt for this option, you can file for an extension on TurboTax for your FEDERAL returns but not for the state returns. 

You can easily google how to file for an extension with your state and follow their instructions as well.

 

Hope this helps someone. 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

16 minutes ago, NiniB. said:

I just tried and Turbo Tax will NOT allow you to e-file without a SSN or ITIN. 

Were  you trying Married Filing Jointly or Married Filing Separately? 
No you cannot file a MFJ return by efile or mailing unless the spouse has a SSN or ITIN.

We are questioning in this topic a Married Filing Separately return.
 

Edited April 13, 2022 by Wuozopo

[NiniB. 1]

53 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

Were  you trying Married Filing Jointly or Married Filing Separately? 
No you cannot file a MFJ return by efile or mailing unless the spouse has a SSN or ITIN.

We are questioning in this topic a Married Filing Separately return.
 

Yes I was submitting it as "married filing separately" but TurboTax did NOT allow me to e-file without a SSN or ITIN. 

I added "NRA" to the last name.And even tried typing NRA into the SSN but this was not allowed.

Ultimately, I could not E-FILE without the SSN or ITIN.

 

[Redro 4,611]

A couple years back I was told TaxSlayer allowed you to file MFS with NRA for foreign spouse. 

Not sure if it is the same this year. 

 

Edited April 13, 2022 by Kor2USA

[Wuozopo 4,293]

40 minutes ago, NiniB. said:

Yes I was submitting it as "married filing separately" but TurboTax did NOT allow me to e-file without a SSN or ITIN. 

I added "NRA" to the last name.And even tried typing NRA into the SSN but this was not allowed.

Ultimately, I could not E-FILE without the SSN or ITIN.

 

That’s because you were trying to do a joint return. NRA only applies to Married Filing Separately. 

[ar & rk 3]

58 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

That’s because you were trying to do a joint return. NRA only applies to Married Filing Separately. 

It looks like that post mentioned filing Married Filing Separately so its confusing. However, there is no need to file for an extension. There is always the option to file paper and if an ITIN is needed, form W7 can be included with the paper return. 
However, my understanding is indeed that MFS status does not require an ITIN based on Form 1040 instructions.

[Mike E 11,741]

I’m curious if entering 000-00-0000 for the spouse would work

[Crazy Cat 41,984]

10 minutes ago, Mike E said:

I’m curious if entering 000-00-0000 for the spouse would work

Good question.  I would like to see how their system handles that.

[Redro 4,611]

3 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Good question.  I would like to see how their system handles that.

They will flag it as an incorrect SSN/ITIN. 

You can prepare your return with TurboTax but if you don't have an SSN/ITIN you need to print it out and mail it in. 

As mentioned before TaxSlayer would allow you to e-file a few years back (with NRA) but I'm not sure if they allow it now as we always paper file. 

[ar & rk 3]

16 hours ago, Mike E said:

I’m curious if entering 000-00-0000 for the spouse would work

Tried on Tax Slayer and it did not work. It will not let me file without this field being filled. 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

17 hours ago, ar & rk said:

It looks like that post mentioned filing Married Filing Separately so its confusing. However, there is no need to file for an extension. There is always the option to file paper and if an ITIN is needed, form W7 can be included with the paper return. 
However, my understanding is indeed that MFS status does not require an ITIN based on Form 1040 instructions.

@NiniB.

Yes, sorry I misread the post.

 

I believe the reason for the extension is she thinks her husband might get his SSN before the extension deadline so she could efile. However the better reason for waiting on a SSN is her husband could qualify for the 2021 $1400 economic impact payment.

 

What effect to filing status have on taxes?

I did a sample TurboTax to try NRA possibilities outlined earlier in this thread. Then I went back and calculated Married Filing Jointly on his same income. I reported a foreign income of $30,000  for “Mary Smith”.

 

“John Smith” MFS. OWED $108 Mary didn’t file.

 

John and Mary MFJ with Mary applying for an ITIN. REFUND $1202

 

John and Mary MFJ with Mary having a SSN. REFUND $2602

 

[ar & rk 3]

2 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

@NiniB.

Yes, sorry I misread the post.

 

I believe the reason for the extension is she thinks her husband might get his SSN before the extension deadline so she could efile. However the better reason for waiting on a SSN is her husband could qualify for the 2021 $1400 economic impact payment.

 

What effect to filing status have on taxes?

I did a sample TurboTax to try NRA possibilities outlined earlier in this thread. Then I went back and calculated Married Filing Jointly on his same income. I reported a foreign income of $30,000  for “Mary Smith”.

 

“John Smith” MFS. OWED $108 Mary didn’t file.

 

John and Mary MFJ with Mary applying for an ITIN. REFUND $1202

 

John and Mary MFJ with Mary having a SSN. REFUND $2602

 

interesting! Does TurboTax allow you to enter foreign spouse's foreign income? That means that they calculate and apply foreign tax credits if we pick MFJ? My spouse has significant income in Canada which is why I was thinking about filing MFS. I am now wondering if I should also file out an MFJ scenario to see if it reduces the tax liability. 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

26 minutes ago, ar & rk said:

interesting! Does TurboTax allow you to enter foreign spouse's foreign income? That means that they calculate and apply foreign tax credits if we pick MFJ? My spouse has significant income in Canada which is why I was thinking about filing MFS. I am now wondering if I should also file out an MFJ scenario to see if it reduces the tax liability. 

Either a foreign tax credit Form 1116 or a Foreign Earned Income Exclusion Form 2555..one or the other..  Yes to TurboTax handling those forms. If you get a SSN,  you should definitely look at filing jointly and see what the difference is. If you purchase Turbo to install on a computer, you can do as many versions as you want by saving each with a different file name. 

[ar & rk 3]

On 4/13/2022 at 9:19 PM, Crazy Cat said:

Good question.  I would like to see how their system handles that.

I also tried TurboTax and it did not work either. I asked a couple other folks (HR Block included) and none of the software take care of this scenario. The only option is to mail the return. I wrote my wife's name with "(NRA)" in front of it, under the filing status checkboxes. I check marked Married Filing Separately. I left the SSN box empty. In my situation, filing jointly would result in significant tax payment so MFS was the better option since its much closer to the Single filing status that I used last year when I did not take into account my wife's income (hence withholding was on the mark). While I am mailing the return on Monday, I am looking to pay online using irs' direct pay. Hope this helps everyone.

Edited April 17, 2022 by ar & rk

[Crazy Cat 41,984]

5 hours ago, ar & rk said:

I also tried TurboTax and it did not work either. I asked a couple other folks (HR Block included) and none of the software take care of this scenario. The only option is to mail the return. I wrote my wife's name with "(NRA)" in front of it, under the filing status checkboxes. I check marked Married Filing Separately. I left the SSN box empty. In my situation, filing jointly would result in significant tax payment so MFS was the better option since its much closer to the Single filing status that I used last year when I did not take into account my wife's income (hence withholding was on the mark). While I am mailing the return on Monday, I am looking to pay online using irs' direct pay. Hope this helps everyone.

 I also filed "Married- Filing Separately" in 2015 and 2016....by paper.  In 2017, the year my wife entered the US as a legal resident, I also filed separately since my wife had considerable foreign income.  She was a dual status alien that year.  I have found pay1040.com to be conveniently online, safe, and very inexpensive when paying additional owed taxes.  I have used them for several years with no problems.  

You can amend your taxes after your spouse receives a SSN to correct the filing status.