I just read up on this a little while back. It might have already been discussed on another section / thread. Found out if filling jointly and even if one spouse does not have a SSN (in my case my wife has an ITN) then you do not qualify for the Tax Stimulus package this year 
. Even though we've been legal tax paying residents for the last 10 years and both children are US citizens. Apparently they introduced this amendment to stop illegal's from getting any rebates (I suppose illegal's have easy access to ITNs). Might be able to claim in next year's returns if SSN received this year.
My wife was eligible for her EAD but we did not apply since we did not anticipate her working and did not see any immediate benefit to getting a SSN. I think I'll have to reconsider that decision and it might pay-off to apply for her EAD now (and eventual SSN) just to qualify for the tax stimulus rebates.
I was not aware and wanted to share. Perhaps someone has more information.
Thanks,
Jawad
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=179181,00.html
See middle of page for section on Taxpayer Identification Numbers
Q. I file using an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Can I still get a stimulus payment?
A: No. The law does not allow stimulus payments to people who file a return using an ITIN. A taxpayer must have a valid Social Security Number to qualify for the stimulus payment. If married filing jointly, both taxpayers must have a valid Social Security Number. And children must have valid Social Security Numbers to be eligible as qualifying children.
Q. I have an ITIN, but my spouse has a valid Social Security number. Can we get a payment?
A. If you and your spouse file a joint return, you will not get a stimulus payment. If your spouse files a separate return, your spouse may qualify for a payment, based on his or her income deductions and credits.
Q. If I have a valid Social Security Number and my child has an ITIN, do I get extra money for the child?
A. No. To qualify for the extra credit for qualifying children, not only do the taxpayer and spouse, if filing jointly, need valid Social Security Numbers, but the qualifying child must also have a valid Social Security Number.
Q. I adopted a child this year and my child has an ATIN (Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number). Will I receive the $300 additional child payment?
A. An ATIN is issued by the IRS as a temporary taxpayer identification number for the child. Adoptive parents who do not yet have a Social Security Number for their child will not get the advance payment. However, if they receive a Social Security Number for the child before the end of 2008, they can claim the additional child payment on their 2008 tax return.
.
. Even though we've been legal tax paying residents for the last 10 years and both children are US citizens. Apparently they introduced this amendment to stop illegal's from getting any rebates (I suppose illegal's have easy access to ITNs). Might be able to claim in next year's returns if SSN received this year.My wife was eligible for her EAD but we did not apply since we did not anticipate her working and did not see any immediate benefit to getting a SSN. I think I'll have to reconsider that decision and it might pay-off to apply for her EAD now (and eventual SSN) just to qualify for the tax stimulus rebates.
I was not aware and wanted to share. Perhaps someone has more information.
Thanks,
Jawad
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=179181,00.html
See middle of page for section on Taxpayer Identification Numbers
Q. I file using an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Can I still get a stimulus payment?
A: No. The law does not allow stimulus payments to people who file a return using an ITIN. A taxpayer must have a valid Social Security Number to qualify for the stimulus payment. If married filing jointly, both taxpayers must have a valid Social Security Number. And children must have valid Social Security Numbers to be eligible as qualifying children.
Q. I have an ITIN, but my spouse has a valid Social Security number. Can we get a payment?
A. If you and your spouse file a joint return, you will not get a stimulus payment. If your spouse files a separate return, your spouse may qualify for a payment, based on his or her income deductions and credits.
Q. If I have a valid Social Security Number and my child has an ITIN, do I get extra money for the child?
A. No. To qualify for the extra credit for qualifying children, not only do the taxpayer and spouse, if filing jointly, need valid Social Security Numbers, but the qualifying child must also have a valid Social Security Number.
Q. I adopted a child this year and my child has an ATIN (Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number). Will I receive the $300 additional child payment?
A. An ATIN is issued by the IRS as a temporary taxpayer identification number for the child. Adoptive parents who do not yet have a Social Security Number for their child will not get the advance payment. However, if they receive a Social Security Number for the child before the end of 2008, they can claim the additional child payment on their 2008 tax return.
.