SS No Required for wife to work on EAD?

G

goober71

Registered Users (C)
Hi,
My AOS is in progress at VSC and me and my wife both have EAD cards. My wife wants to start working.
Does she need to apply for SS No? She has a taxpayer ID No. which we use for filing taxes. Will that do for working part-time or full-time?
Please let me know.
Thanks.

Goober
 
Originally posted by goober71
Hi,
My AOS is in progress at VSC and me and my wife both have EAD cards. My wife wants to start working.
Does she need to apply for SS No? She has a taxpayer ID No. which we use for filing taxes. Will that do for working part-time or full-time?
Please let me know.
Thanks.

Goober
Click to expand...

Go get a SS #. Drop the ITIN ASAP.
 
Originally posted by frantic
I think she needs SSN to work. You can apply online too I guess.
Click to expand...

You do NOT require an SSN to legally work. Most employers will have an issue with this since it complicates their payroll, but there is no legal impediment to working without an SSN.
 
What is a Social Security Number?
To work in the U.S., you must obtain a Social Security card. This card contains your unique taxpayer identification number, or Social Security Number. A non-U.S. citizen may obtain a US Social Security Number if he or she has permission to work in the U.S. or is required to by a federal, state or local government agency
 
Originally posted by 6th-year
To work in the U.S., you must obtain a Social Security card. This card contains your unique taxpayer identification number, or Social Security Number. A non-U.S. citizen may obtain a US Social Security Number if he or she has permission to work in the U.S. or is required to by a federal, state or local government agency
Click to expand...

That's a vague statement, and plenty of people work in the US before they have the SSN in hand. Eventually you will need one, but it's not a situation like with an EAD where you are prevented from working until the number is assigned.

That's the difference I am attempting to point out.
 
goober71,

Getting a SSN is very easy, all you have to do is go to a SSN office with your wife. With all the documents she has, like

Passport
I-485 receipt
EAD card

Its a piece of cake compare to what we all are going through for GC, EAD, AP and DL.

WIN
 
Originally posted by 6th-year
What is a Social Security Number?
.... This card contains your unique taxpayer identification number, or Social Security Number. ....
Click to expand...

Social Security Number (SSN) was issued by the SSA.
(Individual) Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) was issued by the IRS.

So ... how does the latter go to SSN? Are you saying that if someone already has a ITIN, the number will be used as his SSN?
 
Originally posted by GC012002
So ... how does the latter go to SSN? Are you saying that if someone already has a ITIN, the number will be used as his SSN?
Click to expand...

There's no link between the two. You'll need to go to the local SSA office to get an SSN.
 
TRC it makes more sense - you can start working right away without an SSN but you need SSN when its time to pay because Social Security & Medicare taxes will be deposited to that account with that SSN.
 
SSN

It is true that you do not need a SS # to work. It all comes down to what kind of job you have and how the employer is paying you.
Remember that the employer also is paying SS TAXES for you.

SS# (under the current circumstances) is something you need FAR MORE THAN TO WORK. You need it for Driver Licenses, Loans, Schools, TAxes (Federal, state, etc), Insurances, Medical insurances and so on...The American society is based on this number, whether one wants to have taxes taken out or not. Some employers would be more than happy to employ you without one if they SAVE MONEY.
The ITIN's primary purpose is to allow a joint filing whereas the spouse is not eligible to work.
IRS has used it also to trace illegals, i.e. people who are working with an ITIN number...

http://www.ilw.com/lawyers/immigdaily/congress_news/2004,0126-itin.pdf

Bottom line, even if you are not working, go get a SS #.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Originally posted by frantic
TRC it makes more sense - you can start working right away without an SSN but you need SSN when its time to pay because Social Security & Medicare taxes will be deposited to that account with that SSN.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. There's nothing that says that you and your employer cannot make some sort of a creative arrangement to pay you. When I first came to the US my first two paychecks were considered "loans" or "advances" and when payroll finally came through I paid them the money back.

The SSN is needed for so many things as a matter of convenience that it makes no sense not to apply for one as soon as you are eligible. However, I am attempting to make a subtle point - you should not let the lack of SSN in hand prevent you from starting work.
 
Thanks for all the help guys. I will have my wife go to the SS office and apply for the SSN. That way she doesn't run into any issues when she starts working.

Goober.
 
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