Social Security and ITIN Information

Social Security Number (SSN) Information

If you work in the U.S., you are required to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN). The U.S. government issues an SSN for income tax and compensation purposes. You must apply for an SSN upon your initial job offer. 

Important to Remember:

• Your SSN is your unique U.S. identification number and is yours for life. 
• While it does not authorize you for employment, it can be used for any work that you have authorization for in the U.S. 
• An SSN is not required to open a U.S. bank account, rent an apartment, or apply for a driver’s license.
• You are only eligible for an SSN if you earn compensation for dependent personal services.
• You may begin working prior to obtaining an SSN, but must apply for one within 30 days of receiving your first paycheck.
• You may apply for an SSN up to 30 days prior to beginning a campus job or a Curricular Practical Training (CPT)-authorized internship.
• You should protect your SSN card and number from loss and identity theft. Do not carry your card with you. Keep it in a secure location and only take it with you when you must show it for identification purposes, such as opening a bank account.
• Do not allow others to use your SSN as their own. 
• For more information about your SSN, please see the Social Security Matters website.  

How to Apply

1. Obtain a completed and signed F-1 On-Campus Employer Letter​ from your hiring department supervisor. If you work for more than one department, you need to obtain only one letter from the department of your choice.

2. Request an F-1 Status Verification Letter in your International Student and Scholar (ISS) Portal; you must upload a copy of your F-1 On-Campus Employer Letter and a copy of your most recent I-94 with your request.

3. Take the completed form and original documents listed below to the Social Security Administration (SSA) office, located at 99 East Main St., Suite 800, Middletown, CT 06457. SSA is open Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm. You are not required to make an appointment, however, the SSA managers request that you arrive to their office before 3pm.

• Completed ​Form SS-5 Social Security Application​ (you will generate the SS-5 in your Sprintax Calculus profile and find it on your Calculus Tax Forms page) 
• Passport
• F-1 Visa
• I-20
• Most recent I-94
• Supervisor signed F-1 On-Campus Employer Letter
• OISA signed F-1 Status Verification Letter (this letter verifies you are a full-time student and eligible to work at the University)

4. SSA will provide you with an application acknowledgment letter. Be sure to keep this letter with your important documents. If you do not receive your SSN card, you will need this acknowledgement letter to follow up with SSA.

5. Your SSN card will be mailed to the address on your SS-5 approximately 2-4 weeks after you submit your application. Upon receipt of your SSN card:

1. In Sprintax Calculus, upload a copy of your SSN Card to your Calculus Document Exchange.
2. Go to your Calculus Personal Data page and update your selection under, “Do you have US TIN (SSN or TIN)*” to be Yes. This will open additional sections on this page including a place to enter your new SSN.
3. Go to your Tax Forms Info page and answer any additional questions related to your campus job.
4. Save and continue through the remaining pages until you reach your Final Summary and click "Download Your Forms."  
5. Go to your Tax Forms page. If your country has a student compensation tax treaty with the U.S., you will see two forms: Form 8233 and Statement to Form 8233 on the Tax Forms page. To benefit from your treaty reduction on your compensation paychecks, you need to sign both the 8233 and its accompanying statement. After signing, please email Christine at ict@wesleyan.edu to inform her that your forms are complete. Note that Form 8233 expires on December 31^st in the year in which you sign it. You will need to sign a new Form 8233 each calendar year to continue receiving treaty reduction benefits on your paychecks. You may claim any unused treaty benefits each year when you file your required 1040NR individual income tax return with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).    

IMPORTANT: ICT MUST RECEIVE A COPY OF YOUR SSN CARD WITHIN 60 DAYS AFTER YOUR FIRST PAYCHECK DATE. OTHERWISE YOUR EMPLOYMENT WILL BE TERMINATED UNTIL WE RECEIVE YOUR SSN. 

Resources

Sprintax Calculus

​F-1 On-Campus Employer Letter

On-Campus Employment & Volunteering

For additional information about Social Security, check the SSA website​.

Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) Information

If you are not eligible to apply for an SSN, you must apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). The deadline to submit your ITIN application documents/forms is November 15th during your first semester of attendance. 

How to Apply

1. You will generate Form W-7, Application for IRS ITIN and Certification Letter, in Sprintax Calculus, by checking ‘Scholarships or fellowship grants’ (Income Code 16) on your Calculus Tax Forms Info page.  Once generated, you will find your W-7 and Certification Letter on your Calculus Tax Forms page.

2. Deliver your signed and dated Form W-7 to ICT, Attn: Christine Rodrigue, 55 High St before November 15th. You must hand-deliver or mail via interoffice-mail your original form with your wet signature:   

• You will find your W-7 on your Calculus Tax Forms page.
• Verify that the address on W-7 Line 2 is 45 Wyllys Avenue and your Wes Box #, Middletown, CT 06459. If you need to edit your U.S. address, you may do so on your Calculus Contact Details page.

3. Obtain your OISA Designated School Official's (DSO) signature on your ITIN Certification Letter before November 15th. You can do this by sending your ITIN Certification Letter as an attachment to oisa@wesleyan.edu; please put "ITIN Certification Letter" in the subject line of your email. Your DSO will submit your original signed Certification Letter to ICT.

4. You should receive your ITIN in your Wes Box by early February (approximately 10-12 weeks after your application was submitted to the IRS in November). 

5. Upon receipt, add your ITIN to your Calculus Personal data page and upload a copy of your IRS ITIN letter to your Calculus Document Exchange and email Christine at ict@wesleyan.edu to notify her that your letter was uploaded.

IMPORTANT: YOU WILL NEED YOUR ITIN TO FILE YOUR REQUIRED ANNUAL FORMS WITH THE IRS BY APRIL 15^TH. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FILE WITHOUT YOUR ITIN. KEEP YOUR U.S. ITIN WITH YOUR IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS.