Approved for I-131 and I-765. Incoming mail expected soon. Do they arrive with SSN?

[chiks24 11]

So happy to see changes in our case! It's been quite a while. Should we expect the SSN card with the EAD? Or do we have to go to the SSA to apply for it separately?

[Crazy Cat 42,293]

If you didn't already apply for a SS card when you completed your I-765 or I-485, you will have to apply with Social Security.  Social Security cards are issued by the Social Security Administration, not USCIS. 

[chiks24 11]

On 9/18/2021 at 2:28 PM, Crazy Cat said:

If you didn't already apply for a SS card when you completed your I-765 or I-485, you will have to apply with Social Security.  Social Security cards are issued by the Social Security Administration, not USCIS. 

We checked the box on the application where it asked if we wanted to apply for the SS card. Does that mean that the SS card will be coming along with the I-765 and I-131 acceptance?

[Crazy Cat 42,293]

8 minutes ago, chiks24 said:

We checked the box on the application where it asked if we wanted to apply for the SS card. Does that mean that the SS card will be coming along with the I-765 and I-131 acceptance?

No, the Social Security card comes separately.....from the Social Security Administration.  Your request/application will be passed to them from USCIS. 

Edited September 19, 2021 by Crazy Cat

[chiks24 11]

On 9/19/2021 at 3:41 PM, Crazy Cat said:

No, the Social Security card comes separately.....from the Social Security Administration.  Your request/application will be passed to them from USCIS. 

Is there an expected timeframe for the SS card to arrive after receiving the combo EAD/AP card? I read somewhere that it could be a week after, but I'm sure it takes longer now in the current pandemic?

[Chancy 6,243]

10 hours ago, chiks24 said:

Is there an expected timeframe for the SS card to arrive after receiving the combo EAD/AP card?

 

No guaranteed timeframe.  But based on the reports from other VJ members, if you do not get your SSN a month after EAD approval, book an appointment at an SSA office to apply for SSN in person.

 

[chiks24 11]

On 9/30/2021 at 10:49 PM, Chancy said:

 

No guaranteed timeframe.  But based on the reports from other VJ members, if you do not get your SSN a month after EAD approval, book an appointment at an SSA office to apply for SSN in person.

 

Dang it, I guess I won't be able to "married, filing jointly" the taxes that are due October 10th 😐

[Co6aka 18]

Earlier this year I wrote about my experience with SSA about getting a SSN for my wife. To make a long story short... If your local SSA office requires an appointment, if it doesn't accept walk-ins, then submit the SSN application with copies of all I-797C notices, plus copies of all other supporting documents, along with a note that you'll be bringing the actual EAD with you to the appointment.  SSA will probably schedule your appointment for about two weeks later, during which time you'll have received the EAD from USCIS.  Otherwise, if you checked the two boxes instructing USCIS to notify SSA to issue a SSN, then theoretically in a few months your SSN card will arrive all by itself, theoretically, so if you prefer waiting over receiving then you need do nothing. 

[Co6aka 18]

On 10/2/2021 at 2:27 PM, chiks24 said:

Dang it, I guess I won't be able to "married, filing jointly" the taxes that are due October 10th 😐

Why can't you file that way and include ITIN applications?  (Federal, and state if necessary.)  Then you can update the tax authorities as soon as you receive the SSN. (You'll probably receive the SSN before they even look at your returns.)

Edited October 5, 2021 by Co6aka

[chiks24 11]

On 10/5/2021 at 6:05 PM, Co6aka said:

Why can't you file that way and include ITIN applications?  (Federal, and state if necessary.)  Then you can update the tax authorities as soon as you receive the SSN. (You'll probably receive the SSN before they even look at your returns.)

My spouse does not have an ITIN, and applying for an ITIN now would take more time than to receive the SSN. Is there another way to file as "married, filing jointly" without the ITIN/SSN? Maybe a placeholder until we get the SSN? Anything of that nature - permitted? 

[Crazy Cat 42,293]

19 minutes ago, chiks24 said:

My spouse does not have an ITIN, and applying for an ITIN now would take more time than to receive the SSN. Is there another way to file as "married, filing jointly" without the ITIN/SSN? Maybe a placeholder until we get the SSN? Anything of that nature - permitted? 

No.  The spouse MUST have either a valid SSN or valid ITIN to file a joint return.  In addition, You can file for an ITIN only when filing taxes or submitting a tax report.

Edited October 11, 2021 by Crazy Cat

[chiks24 11]

On 10/11/2021 at 11:25 AM, Crazy Cat said:

No.  The spouse MUST have either a valid SSN or valid ITIN to file a joint return.  In addition, You can file for an ITIN only when filing taxes or submitting a tax report.

Since I am filing taxes, I can file for her ITIN along with the taxes? I'm just trying to get the clear picture. Or are you saying I really cannot file a joint return because there is no SSN and no ITIN (hence, I would have to do it as married, filing separately)?

 

And that would also mean we cannot get the $1400 + $600 stimulus checks for her, correct?

[Co6aka 18]

On 10/12/2021 at 3:28 PM, chiks24 said:

Since I am filing taxes, I can file for her ITIN along with the taxes?

Straight from the "mouth" of the IRS:

 

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/how-do-i-apply-for-an-itin

How do I apply for an ITIN?

You can file Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), with your federal income tax return. You must also include original documentation or certified copies from the issuing agency to prove identity and foreign status.

If you qualify for an exception, then file Form W-7 with your proof of identity and foreign status documents and supporting documentation for the exception.

Where to apply?

Option 1

Mail your W-7, tax return, proof of identity, and foreign status documents to:

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

You will only file a tax return to the address above once, when you file Form W-7 to get an ITIN. In subsequent years, when you have an ITIN, you will file your tax return as directed in the form instructions.

If you will need your original documents for any purpose within 14 weeks of submitting your ITIN application, you may wish to apply in person at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center or CAA. You may also choose to submit certified copies of documents from the issuing agency instead of original documents. Original documents you submit will be returned to you at the mailing address shown on your Form W-7. You don't need to provide a return envelope. Applicants are permitted to include a prepaid Express Mail or courier envelope for faster return delivery of their documents. The IRS will then return the documents in the envelope provided by the applicant. If your original documents aren’t returned within 14 weeks, you can call the IRS at 800-908-9982 (U.S. only) or for international, call 267-941-1000 (this is not a toll-free number).

Option 2

Apply for an ITIN in-person using the services of an IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Agent. This will prevent you from having to mail your proof of identity and foreign status documents.

Option 3

Make an appointment at a designated IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center. This will also prevent you from having to mail your proof of identity and foreign status document 

After processing, the IRS will issue your ITIN through the mail.

When should I apply?

You can apply for an ITIN any time during the year when you have a filing or reporting requirement. At a minimum, you should complete Form W-7 when you are ready to file your federal income tax return by the return's prescribed due date. If the tax return you attach to Form W-7 is filed after the return's due date, you may owe interest and/or penalties.

Edited October 13, 2021 by Co6aka

[chiks24 11]

19 hours ago, Co6aka said:

Straight from the "mouth" of the IRS:

 

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/how-do-i-apply-for-an-itin

How do I apply for an ITIN?

You can file Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), with your federal income tax return. You must also include original documentation or certified copies from the issuing agency to prove identity and foreign status.

If you qualify for an exception, then file Form W-7 with your proof of identity and foreign status documents and supporting documentation for the exception.

Where to apply?

Option 1

Mail your W-7, tax return, proof of identity, and foreign status documents to:

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

You will only file a tax return to the address above once, when you file Form W-7 to get an ITIN. In subsequent years, when you have an ITIN, you will file your tax return as directed in the form instructions.

If you will need your original documents for any purpose within 14 weeks of submitting your ITIN application, you may wish to apply in person at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center or CAA. You may also choose to submit certified copies of documents from the issuing agency instead of original documents. Original documents you submit will be returned to you at the mailing address shown on your Form W-7. You don't need to provide a return envelope. Applicants are permitted to include a prepaid Express Mail or courier envelope for faster return delivery of their documents. The IRS will then return the documents in the envelope provided by the applicant. If your original documents aren’t returned within 14 weeks, you can call the IRS at 800-908-9982 (U.S. only) or for international, call 267-941-1000 (this is not a toll-free number).

Option 2

Apply for an ITIN in-person using the services of an IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Agent. This will prevent you from having to mail your proof of identity and foreign status documents.

Option 3

Make an appointment at a designated IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center. This will also prevent you from having to mail your proof of identity and foreign status document 

After processing, the IRS will issue your ITIN through the mail.

When should I apply?

You can apply for an ITIN any time during the year when you have a filing or reporting requirement. At a minimum, you should complete Form W-7 when you are ready to file your federal income tax return by the return's prescribed due date. If the tax return you attach to Form W-7 is filed after the return's due date, you may owe interest and/or penalties.

Applying for ITIN is not the same as having an ITIN, correct? This means.. even if I file for her ITIN along with the taxes, we still can't file it jointly since we won't have an ITIN/SSN number for her? Sorry for these questions. Just trying to understand it fully. 

[Ayrton 965]

2 hours ago, chiks24 said:

Applying for ITIN is not the same as having an ITIN, correct? This means.. even if I file for her ITIN along with the taxes, we still can't file it jointly since we won't have an ITIN/SSN number for her? Sorry for these questions. Just trying to understand it fully. 

Yes you can file jointly, because the return will only be processed after the ITIN is generated.