Filed separately, but husband wouldn't give me his social?

I went to H&R Block today to do my taxes. I am legally married to my husband, but we are separated. We are not legally separated, just living apart. I was told I legally needed to claim that I am married on the return, so I did. But even though we filed separately, I still needed his social security number. I called him and he hung up on me. I tried calling him again, no answer. I tried calling him from the company phone, no answer. The guy doing my taxes decided to put in a fake social so we could move on.

Ok, just a couple of questions. I'm sure I'll get into big trouble for this, what are the penalties? Will I have jail time? My husband does not have my social either and has never asked for it. I also signed a paper saying that H&R Block was responsible for errors, does that mean I'm in the clear? How soon will it be before this is caught?

Because it is ILLEGAL not to claim married when you ARE, regardless of whether you're living together or not.

It's only illegal to file the return with a wrong SSN. He probably just put it a fake one to get to the next stage in filling the paperwork. The software he used won't let him continue to fill out the return untill the appropriate blocks are filled out. He can also file a form to explaing that the husband's SSN was not provided. Not actually a big deal. He might even be able to remove it before he prints it out. Just make sure that he files with some sort of explanation.

You should have left his dumbass off. It's not worth risking putting a FAKE SOCIAL on a tax return. That is dumb. Why did you even let that H&R idiot do that? WOw.

What happened was illegal and I am very surprised that H&R would do that...especially if the person signing the douments is aware that the info. is fake. You could get into trouble for this. What I would have done...is called the IRS directly and explain to them the situation...the representtive could have and would have helped you find a more "reasonable" alternative.

Its always better to use an independent accountant for your tax's. .. As for your husband... why don't you have his SS#?
Be glad your done with his sorry butt. Go file for divorce ASAP.. then he has no choice to annie up on the SS #.
And his earnings.
Next time... pick more wisely.. as in the hubby and the tax preparer.

You won't get into trouble.

File for divorce...you'll get his social then.

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I would have included a note saying that he refused to give it.

I don't think this will be a big deal.. Worse case they tell you ssn was wrong... you tell they why

Relax.

just say that is the number he gave you if anyhting ever comes up about it...serves him right

Well, you can say that you fell off a chair trying to get a hat on your closet shelf and you badly hit your head on the floor. Go to your local emergency room and tell them you were knocked out for a few min. and do not know but suspect a severe head injury. They will run a CAT SCAN and a MRI, Then, find a Neurologist and repeat the same story. If the IRS calls you for cheating on your taxes, or comes knocking on your door, tell them the same story. You can be excused for this incorrect Social Security number by claiming the severe head injury and say you were confused and forgot your husband's number.