Rescind ITIN after getting SSN

[prabasiodia]

This is not a question, rather is an FYI. I believe that many of you are in the same boat. If you’re on H-4 or similar dependant visa and are in US for more a year, you might have applied for and received an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) from IRS. Now that you’ve got an EAD and are applying for Social Security Number (SSN), what happens to your ITIN?

Refer to the publication 1915 of IRS (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1915.pdf). On page 6, the last sentence of first paragraph says that:

An alien individual cannot have both an ITIN and a SSN.

So you’ve to rescind your ITIN. The same publication tells us how. On page 18 it says:

What steps do I have to take when I have an ITIN and become eligible for a Social Security Number?

Make proper application for a SSN and upon receipt advise the IRS ITIN Unit in writing of your new SSN. The new SSN will become the primary number and must be used for all future filing purposes. The IRS will void the ITIN. All prior tax information under the ITIN will be associated with the new SSN.

In case, you’re wondering about the address of ITIN unit, it’s there on page 8:

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

Now, there might be several questions popping in your head.

Q1) Does applying for and getting an SSN amount to “Using the EAD”?

No.

Q2) Does showing the SSN to DMV to get a Drivers’ License amount to “Using the EAD”?

No.

Q3) Does applying for a back account by giving the SSN amount to “Using the EAD”?

No.

Q4) Then what amounts to “Using the EAD”?

When you get employed.

Q5) How in the world USCIS knows that I am using the EAD?

Quite simple. Your employer has to submit W-9 and may require you to file W-4. Optionally your employer may be participating in DOS’s Citizen Attestation Verification Pilot (CAVP) or USCIS’s Systematic Alien Verification Entitlements (SAVE) program. With your SSN and/or A# required in all these, it’s a no-brainer.

Q6) When should I apply for an SSN after getting an EAD?

I recommend waiting a week. SSA is required to verify your credentials (mainly match the A# of EAD) in the SAVE database before they can issue the SSN. USCIS is notorious for SAVE database updation delays. Applying too soon will result in SSA filing form G-845 with USCIS for manual verification which will cause unnecessary delays. They move at the speed of a sloth.

Disclaimer: I am neither a lawyer nor pose as one. Use this information at your own risk.

[GC_Geek]

Excellent post..
We are in the same boat and your Informative clarifications weighs real high..
BTW, non immigration but other financial side effects of ITIN to SSN are there..
I am sending letters to all credit bureauos to PORT the ITIN credit profile to SSN. also all banks and other financila institutions that I work with, required the SSN update...
Just to add my 2 cents for your wonderful posting..
Thanks,

[prabasiodia]

Great suggestion. Normally you would want to port your credit history unless there is damaging info in it.

Also if you're suffering from G-845 delays, it doesn't hurt to call SSA's 1800 number every 3/4 days and ask them to check the SAVE database with your A#. If they see it in SAVE, they'll probably issue the SSN without waiting for a response from USCIS.

[BharatPremi]

Thanks for creating this excellent thread.

[GCwaitforever]

Good post on educating folks here. Another step added to the life cycle of H4 holders.

[senk1s]

good one prabasiodia !! I can definitley use this info. THANKS.

[indio0617]

Originally Posted by senk1s

good one prabasiodia !! I can definitley use this info. THANKS.

Prabasodia.

This is all excellent info. Very thoughtfull of you.

Thanks!

[shana04]

Originally Posted by indio0617

Prabasodia.

This is all excellent info. Very thoughtfull of you.

Thanks!

Good info on this thread.

My thoughts here.

If you refer to a copy of your ITIN, it clearly speicifes how to respond when you get your SSN.

I called IRS officer and he has asked to send a letter in writing why you would not like to use ITIN (becuase you got your SSN). provide details and attach a copy of your ITIN. I have even attached a copy of SSN, just in case.

Good luck to all.