My wife just immigrated to the US but was not given a social security number. I need her SSN to file my taxes.?

We are in a real Catch-22. When my wife was applying to immigrate to the US, we checked the boxes on her immigrant visa application indicating that we wish the Social Security Administration to issue her a SSN upon her entry to the US. She entered the US with her immigrant visa in February 2009, and a few weeks later we received her I-551 (Green Card). However we still have not received a Social Security Card or SSN. We've asked our local Social Security Office and were told that the SSA "almost never" receives the SSN request from the Immigration Service (USCIS). We were also told that we should not make a separate application for a SSN because there is a chance that one is already on the way. No one can tell us for sure whether we have a SSN coming for her, though. We could file the IRS W-7 form and obtain an Individual Taxpayer Id Number (ITIN) to use on my 1040, but the instructions say not to file the W-7 if we "have, or are eligible to obtain" a SSN. Under that rule, we should not file the W-7, and I guess we should just sit here waiting indefinitely for a SSN that may never show up, all because one agency of the government doesn't communicate with another one. And meanwhile I can't file my taxes or obtain my refund. What are we supposed to do?

realst1

It's April 17th. I sure hope you filed an extension since you are two days late.

This is what you get for marrying a foreigner! Red tape!

You could file your taxes using the same information as 2007 and then later file an amendment when you get the SS#. Since it is obvious you have not been married a whole year, why not file as a single person, then amend it when you get the SS#? How much is the difference? It can't be much since all you are taking is the extra exemption and married deduction. She can't have gotten a job if she doesn't have a SS# so you aren't claiming her income.

And as far as all the insults for government workers, they supply reams of paper with instructions which they assume you read and have the intelligence to understand. Why did you wait until the last minute to freak out about SS#? Surely you have done taxes before and know every person claimed on the form needs a SS#?

BHO bows to muslims

call the IRS.

pianojangee

She can apply at Social Security Agent office. Even though you checked for SSN during immigration processing, it hardly comes automatically. She can simply go to SSN office with green card and apply one., She will get the card within 2 weeks after applying it.

russ_in_mo

You are not in a catch 22 situation. You are not getting a SS# through DHS. All they *might* be doing is an auto authorization, and I wouldn't trust them to do that because that involves work - while SSA is generally very good, DHS USCIS is almost universally staffed by monkeys.

Go to SSA, take the paperwork needed for her visa status. If you don't know what that is ask SSA: they must tell you and it's in the POMS manual which is available online at ssa.gov. Apply. They will tell you on the spot if the app has been approved or not. If it is, come back the next business day and pick up a copy of the number. If it isn't asked for an electronic verification and keep phoning the office every day to make sure they do it. It should take 1-10 days at most. If it comes back requiring a manual verification then you're going to be waiting 3-8 weeks.

That's it.

Ali A

Since she wasn't living here until THIS year, why does it matter for LAST year's taxes? Couldn't you file for them as single?

trk1704

go to the local ss office they can give you the number in person with her i d we went thru the same thing after we went in it took about 2 weeks to have a card

iyamacog

First of all, she just moved here. Thus, she's not your dependent, since she wasn't here last year. In your words, "She just immigrated to the US"
Lastly, you should have already filed your taxes 4 days ago.

amanda

My husband just migrated legally from Mexico in December and we went through the same thing, he had a job waiting on hom amd couldnt statrt until he had his SS# we made the mistake of going directly to the SS adminastration instead of waiting the ten day clearence period (which we should have been informed of by our local office) his name had tobe cleared by homeland security and it took us about six weeks to recive his card. good luck!

SmartCleverandWitty

First off, checking the box on her immigrant application will NOT automatically generate a SSN for her. Many people who tick the box on the DS230 never get the SSN, that is a fact. The only way to make sure she gets her SS Card is to go to your local SSA office and apply in person. It is really simple as she already has her green card. You may even download the SS-5 form at home and have her fill it up and bring it with her when she applies in person in the SSA office. Make sure she brings her green card, passport. The SSA will check her legal status here in the USA and upon electronic verification with USCIS, SSA will then issue the SSN for her-it usually is quick (as long as her name and A-file exists in the USCIS database) and they will give her a receipt for her application. Do not go the ITIN route, I strongly suggest against it especially when she already has a green card. Then she waits for her SS card in the mail.

I suggest also you visit the official website of the SSA http://www.ssa.gov/. Download the SS-5 form and if you have more questions regarding the SSN for her immigrant status (What is your wife's exact status, a CR1 or an IR1?), call their hotline.

mayna_smo_mry

did you write or call the office. if so i suggest you make a visit to the office. they seem to do more face to face.

RayHere

Too late you could have filed for an extension But go to the SS office show them her green card and you well get it in less than a week
Wrong info from the SS office if you have not received her number by now it's not coming The SS officer would know if her SS number is in the works Go back and TELL them to gave her a number
Try and understand these are government workers not worth a bucket of warm spit

Asker

Hurry up and wait is the government's motto. Sounds like are real pickle for them to get straight.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: