Can I File a Tax Return With a Fake Social Security Number

By Janet Berry-Johnson, CPA

Take a look at Form 1040, U.S. Private Taxation Return, and y'all'll observe one of the first pieces of information requested on the return is your Social Security number (SSN). The form asks for this number for a taxpayer, spouse, and whatever dependents listed on the return.

Despite the seemingly straightforward language on the course, you don't have to accept a Social Security number to file a tax render. The IRS problems Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) for individuals who don't qualify for an SSN but demand to file a return.

Co-ordinate to the IRS, more than 4.3 million tax returns were submitted using an ITIN in 2015, with total taxes paid of more than than $23 million. Read on to learn more about when you demand to file a return and the identifying information you need to do and so.

Practise I need to file a tax return?

The requirement to pay taxes in the U.S. isn't express to U.S. citizens. Individuals who need ITINs can include:

• Nonresident aliens with a tax filing requirement
• U.S. resident aliens who need to file taxation returns
• Dependents or the spouse of a U.South. citizen or resident alien
• Dependents or the spouse of a nonresident conflicting visa holder

Fifty-fifty if you won't owe taxes, you may desire to file an income taxation return to claim a refund of taxes overpaid or claim the do good or any deductions or credits, including the Child Tax Credit. On the other hand, if yous owe taxes and don't file, the IRS can appraise penalties and involvement, seize U.S. assets, and impose immigration consequences.

According to the IRS, you lot must file the 1040NR tax form if you lot:

• Are a nonresident alien engaged in a trade of business in the U.S., with or without your income coming from a U.S. source
• Owe any special taxes, such equally alternative minimum tax, household employment taxes, etc.
• Received HSA, Archer MSA or Medicare Advantage MSA distributions
• Are a resident of a country the U.Due south. has an international social security agreement with and earned at to the lowest degree $400 from self employment
• Had advance payments of the premium tax credit made for you, your spouse or dependent enrolled in Marketplace coverage
• Had accelerate payments of the health coverage tax credit fabricated for you, your spouse or dependent
• Are the personal representative for a deceased person who would've had to file this course
• Represent an estate or trust that must file this form

If you lot are unsure if you need to file taxes this yr, you tin read more almost the minimum filing requirements for nonresident aliens in the IRS Instructions for Form 1040NR. Resident aliens can acquire more than about their filing requirements in IRS Publication 501.

A Social Security number serves many purposes. Information technology's used as an identification number by your employer when reporting federal and state income and payroll taxes withheld, for instance. It'south also used to open up a banking concern business relationship with a U.Southward. financial institution, apply for federal loans or certain types of public aid, enroll in Medicare and to get a driver's license.

Having a Social Security Number is besides essential for establishing a credit score in the U.South. Without a SSN, information technology can be challenging to build credit and take out loans if you need them for major purchases.

If y'all, your spouse or a dependent authorize for an SSN, yous should file Class SS5, Application for a Social Security Card, with the Social Security Assistants (SSA).

According to the SSA, generally but not-citizens authorized to work in the U.S. by the Section of Homeland Security can get a Social Security number. To practise this, you lot can either use for a SSN in your home country before coming to the U.Due south. or visit a Social Security function in person.

If you cull to accept care of this procedure in your home country, you'll need to file for a SSN when filing your application for an immigrant visa with the U.S. Department of Land.

If visiting a Social Security function in person, yous'll demand to evidence documentation to testify your identity and work-authorized immigration condition. This documentation might include:

• Form I-551, Lawful Permanent Resident Carte, Machine-Readable Immigrant Visa
• Admission stamp showing a class of admission permitting work
• Form I-94, Inflow/Departure Record
• Form I-766, Employment Potency Certificate
• DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Commutation Visitor Status
• Class I-xx, Certificate for Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status or Designated School Official letter
• A foreign nascency certificate, unexpired passport or other certificate issued past the DHS equally evidence of your age

If you're eligible to get a SSN, you should definitely consider information technology. Otherwise, there's another option when it comes to filing your taxes.

What is an ITIN?

If y'all're not eligible for a SSN, you can apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. An ITIN is a number used past the IRS to account for taxation returns and revenue enhancement payments. They're issued, regardless of immigration status, to both resident and nonresident aliens who may have taxation filing or reporting requirements in the U.S.

An ITIN does not:

• Qualify you lot to piece of work in the U.S.
• Make yous eligible for Social Security benefits
• Qualify you lot or a dependent for the Earned Income Tax Credit

Information technology's used solely for federal tax reporting. However, if you lot somewhen utilise for U.S. citizenship, having an ITIN tin help demonstrate that you accept complied with federal tax laws and testify you accept "proficient moral graphic symbol" – one of the requirements when applying for naturalization.

Undocumented immigrants may fear that applying for an ITIN may increment the take chances of being deported. Just according to the National Immigration Police Eye, using an ITIN is generally safe.

"The IRS has strong privacy protections in identify to ensure that immigrants who report their income and file their taxes are non at gamble of having their information shared. Under Internal Acquirement Code department 6103, the IRS is more often than not prohibited from disclosing taxpayer information, including to other agencies. Still, sure exceptions use. For instance, the IRS is required to disclose taxpayer data to certain U.Southward. Treasury Department employees when they request it for taxation administration purposes or to other federal agencies if it is needed for a nontax criminal investigation and a federal court has ordered that it be provided."

How to employ for an ITIN

There are iii ways to utilize for an ITIN:

• By post. Fill out Class W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. Be certain to submit information technology with your federal income tax return along with original or certified copies of documents to show your identity and foreign status. You will not be able to electronically file your render without the ITIN, then you'd have to file a newspaper return and postal service it to:

  Internal Revenue Service
  Austin Service Middle
  ITIN Operation
  P.O. Box 149342
  Austin, TX 78714-9342

• With an in-person agent. Fill out Course W-7 and use in person using the services of an IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Amanuensis.
• At an in-person assistance center. Fill out Course W-seven and make an appointment at an IRS Taxpayer Help Centre.

Options ii and three allow you to use for an ITIN without mailing your original documents. If you lot qualify and your application is complete, you'll receive a letter from the IRS with your ITIN within seven weeks.

The Instructions for Form W-7 list 13 adequate documents y'all tin use to establish your identity and foreign condition. At least one must include a photograph unless you're applying for an ITIN for a dependent under age xiv.

Acceptable documents include:

1. Passport
2. U.Southward. Citizenship and Immigration Services photo identification
3. Visa issued past the U.S. Section of State
4. U.South. commuter's license
5. U.S. war machine identification menu
6. Foreign commuter's license
7. Foreign military identification bill of fare
8. National identification intendance (including your name, photo, accost, date of birth and expiration date)
9. U.S. state identification card
10. Foreign voter's registration carte du jour
11. Civil nativity certificate
12. Medical records (for dependents nether age 6)
13. School records (for a dependent under historic period 18, if a student)

If you mail your documents, the originals will exist returned to your at the mailing accost you provided on Form W-seven. The IRS says you tin can await to receive them inside 60 days.

Still, mailing your original documents puts them at gamble of getting lost in the postal service, winding up in the wrong hands, and exposes you to identity theft. For that reason, it's a good idea to apply in person whenever possible.

Important Reminders about your ITIN

The ITIN is a mode for noncitizens who earn income in the U.S. to pay taxes on the coin they earn and comply with U.South. constabulary. One time you get an ITIN, it volition remain in effect as long as you continue to file revenue enhancement returns.

However, if yous haven't used your ITIN on at least one tax return in the past three years, the IRS will deactivate it. For that reason, it's a good thought to notify the IRS when you modify your accost using Class 8822.

If yous, your spouse, or dependent's ITIN is scheduled to expire, the IRS will send you a notification. You can renew your ITIN by filling out a new Course Westward-seven and checking the box to "renew an existing ITIN" in the upper right-hand corner.

If you file a return using an expired ITIN, the IRS volition process your return, but whatever credits or other tax breaks claimed that apply to the expired ITIN will not be immune, and the IRS will not result a refund. You'll receive a notice that your ITIN has expired. After you renew information technology, the IRS will reconsider any previously disallowed credits or deductions.

Bottom Line

While navigating the rules and regulations around filing taxes without a SSN can seem disruptive, the good news is there are enough of resource yous can turn to for additional help. While the IRS website is always a proficient go-to, exist sure to cheque out the resources bachelor in your local community as well. These could include IRS Taxpayer Assist Centers, some nonprofit organizations, and even in some areas, your local public library.

While it's e'er good to do your own research too, sometimes the key is really but to ask an skilful.

Janet Berry-Johnson is a Certified Public Accountant and personal finance writer. Her work has appeared in numerous publications, including CreditKarma and Forbes.

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