Social Security number (SSN) is a taxpayer identification number issued by the Social Security Administration. It does not represent permission to work and it is not proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residence. International students & Scholars who are paid in the U.S. must have a SSN to file an income tax return. Individuals who are not paid in the U.S. but who are in a visa status that permits certain types of employment (e.g. J-1, F-1, J-2 with EAD) are advised to obtain a SSN. Once obtained, a SSN remains valid and therefore may be used during future visits to the U.S. A U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) is used to track an employee’s wages for benefits eligibility and tax-reporting requirements. As an international student or scholar at SAIS, you are required to obtain an SSN if you become employed on- or off-campus. If you are a student who has been awarded an on-campus fellowship, stipend, or assistantship, you should apply for an SSN as soon as possible upon your arrival at SAIS (see below for more details and suggested timing for your application). Please note: According to U.S. law, an SSN is required only for employment and tax-reporting purposes. However, many institutions—including banks, the Department of Motor Vehicles, utility companies, landlords, and other businesses—are in the practice of requesting an SSN (as a means of establishing identity or credit history) before they agree to provide their services. It is not mandatory that you provide your SSN in these cases, although the decision to provide service without an SSN is ultimately left to the business or institution. In the event that you are ineligible for an SSN, you may obtain a letter from the Social Security Administration indicating that you are not able to receive an SSN; you may also be eligible to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
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