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Getting an SSN (or an ITIN)
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About
Who this is for
New arrivals figuring out which tax/identity number they need — workers and students (SSN), and family members who need to be on a tax return but aren't work-authorized (ITIN).
SSN vs ITIN — which one?
- SSN — issued by the SSA to people authorized to work in the US (citizens, permanent residents, and many visa holders with work authorization). It's used for employment, banking, and credit.
- ITIN — issued by the IRS purely for tax filing to people who must file or be claimed on a US return but aren't eligible for an SSN. An ITIN is not work authorization and is not an SSN.
Getting an SSN (work-authorized)
- Confirm eligibility: you generally need work authorization (your visa category / EAD / employer relationship). Students should check with their DSO about timing and work-authorization basis.
- Wait a short while after arriving if you're newly in the US — SSA systems need your entry records to update; applying too early can cause a mismatch.
- Apply at a Social Security office (the SS-5 application) with your passport, visa/I-94, and work- authorization document. Confirm the current document list + whether an appointment is needed on SSA.gov.
- Your card arrives by mail; keep the number private and the card somewhere safe (don't carry it daily).
Getting an ITIN (not SSN-eligible, but must file)
- You apply with IRS Form W-7, usually attached to a tax return, with proof of identity/foreign status. Many people use an IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Agent so they don't have to mail original documents. Confirm the current W-7 process on IRS.gov.
- Common cases: a spouse or dependent on your return who isn't work-authorized.
Safety — your SSN is sensitive
- Share it only with employers (for payroll), your bank, and government/tax filings. A legitimate caller won't demand it under threat — that's a scam (the "your SSN is suspended" call is fake).
- Don't email or text your SSN. Store the card; memorize the number.
Frequently asked
Can I work while waiting for the SSN?
If you're authorized to work, you can generally start — the employer can accommodate a pending SSN per the rules; confirm with HR. The SSN itself is the SSA's to issue.
I have an ITIN — can I switch to an SSN later?
Yes; once you get an SSN you notify the IRS so your tax records merge. Stop using the ITIN for work — it was never work authorization.
Do students always need an SSN?
Generally when you have on-campus work or authorized employment; your DSO advises on the basis and timing.
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