ITIN for UK citizen spouse?

Hi all,

I've been using H&R Block's Free File for my taxes and I've gotten to the end, but it says I can't file electronically without getting an SSN or ITIN for my husband who is a UK citizen and has no connection or business in the US. I'm trying to file as Married Filing Separately, and I thought that would avoid this problem, but apparently it doesn't.
From what I've read, it seems that my husband would have to report his income to the US government if he gets an ITIN. Is this correct? How can I avoid my husband needing to report his income to a government that has nothing to do with him?
Is submitting paper forms via physical post the answer?
Thank you!

I use Tax Act as it's free and has a box to tick for "Non Resident Alien Spouse" and you can still e-file.

Otherwise, you'll need to paper file with Turbo Tax and the like.

From what I've read, it seems that my husband would have to report his income to the US government if he gets an ITIN. Is this correct?

No - not correct at all. If your husband has no US taxable income, what the ITIN means for you is that you can claim an exemption for him. You file MFS, in any case, but get that extra exemption, which could be a big help for you at some point in time.

Hi all, I actually have the same situation my husband is a uk citizen. I did my taxes trough turbo tax. I am filling MFS and applying for for itin# for my husband to be able to obtain the exemption for him. He will only need to report his worldwide income only if you two choose to MFJ. Good luck! Wish I knew about tax act cause I paid turbo tax 78 dollars for my federal itemised deductions and state and can't even efile my state either. And won't give me the option for direct deposit for my state taxes.


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Unless you are claiming an additional exemption for your NRA spouse, he does not need to have an ITIN for you to file a return.

Given that the IRS rejected 31% out of over 900,000 ITIN applications filed during 2015, you might want to think of using an IRS Certified Acceptance Agent in the UK if your spouse decides to apply for an ITIN.

Unless you are claiming an additional exemption for your NRA spouse, he does not need to have an ITIN for you to file a return.

Given that the IRS rejected 31% out of over 900,000 ITIN applications filed during 2015, you might want to think of using an IRS Certified Acceptance Agent in the UK if your spouse decides to apply for an ITIN.

Thanks for the info! I had no idea the irs could reject the application for an itin#.
Only reason I am doing it its to claim my spouse exemption to use now and to use in the future. I tried contacting a certified acceptance agent but the amount of money they charge to file my taxes are outrageous. As far as I know there is no charge to apply to apply for an itin. Or am I incorrect?

I have it all ready and printed out my 1040 along with the application and my spouse passport as proof of his nra status. Is that sufficient?

The IRS do not charge for processing an ITIN application. If you dealing with this without professional help, you'd have to budget in only the postage costs to Austin and the nuisance of sending your spouse's original passport to the IRS in Austin, so you would be without it for a while.