Can't figure out how to file tax (spouse abroad and no ssn)

[scaredCat 0]

Hello, I'm researching this issue but always get mixed answers. can someone please answer my questions?

 

1 - my spose is aboard and has no SSN. I will file MARRIED FILING SEPARTELY. I have to mail my taxes and write NRA to my spose SSN. Cannot e-file in this case, is this correct?

2 - they say it would take 6 months for IRS to process if we mail taxes. so if i mail it today, will i not have proof of tax return until IRS processes our taxes(which can take 6 months) ?

3 - has anyone used H&R block for this process?

 

thank you in advance.

[PGA 240]

7 hours ago, scaredCat said:

Hello, I'm researching this issue but always get mixed answers. can someone please answer my questions?

 

1 - my spose is aboard and has no SSN. I will file MARRIED FILING SEPARTELY. I have to mail my taxes and write NRA to my spose SSN. Cannot e-file in this case, is this correct?

2 - they say it would take 6 months for IRS to process if we mail taxes. so if i mail it today, will i not have proof of tax return until IRS processes our taxes(which can take 6 months) ?

3 - has anyone used H&R block for this process?

 

thank you in advance.

I used Taxslayer in the past, with NRA spouse and submitted online with no issues.  

[rodrigomarie 0]

On 3/23/2024 at 10:41 AM, PGA said:

I used Taxslayer in the past, with NRA spouse and submitted online with no issues.  

hi pga, i have similar problem.

So you used Taxslayer to file "married filing sepeartly" with a spouse non resident alien, no ssn or itin?

And it has been accepted?

 

I hear people saying even if you use a software to handle this, IRS will reject it, but some people(like you)say they did it.

Can you please explain?

[W199 333]

On 3/23/2024 at 3:25 AM, scaredCat said:

Hello, I'm researching this issue but always get mixed answers. can someone please answer my questions?

 

1 - my spose is aboard and has no SSN. I will file MARRIED FILING SEPARTELY. I have to mail my taxes and write NRA to my spose SSN. Cannot e-file in this case, is this correct?

2 - they say it would take 6 months for IRS to process if we mail taxes. so if i mail it today, will i not have proof of tax return until IRS processes our taxes(which can take 6 months) ?

3 - has anyone used H&R block for this process?

 

thank you in advance.

Why don't you file as married jointly, it is usually less total taxes that way unless your spouse that is abroad has a high income and a low tax rate in her country

[PGA 240]

13 hours ago, rodrigomarie said:

hi pga, i have similar problem.

So you used Taxslayer to file "married filing sepeartly" with a spouse non resident alien, no ssn or itin?

And it has been accepted?

 

I hear people saying even if you use a software to handle this, IRS will reject it, but some people(like you)say they did it.

Can you please explain?

Well, this year my spouse is not a NRA so we filed differently since last year. For tax year 2020 (filed in 2021) and 2021 (filed in 2022) we used Taxslayer with no problem for MFS as NRA with no SSN or ITIN; so unless they've made changes to the software that no longer allows for that, or the IRS changed rules since then, it should work. On a side note, I believe it allows you to open a free account and fill out the forms for free and even possibly file for free (depending on various factors) so I would recommend trying it and see.