Why do some Canadians wish to have a U.S. Social Security number?
Many Canadians are in the process of coming into U.S. tax compliance. One might ask: Why would a Canadian citizen residing in Canada wish to come into U.S tax compliance?
There are two reasons why Canadian citizen/residents file U.S. tax returns:
An ITIN is a nine-digit tax processing number issued by the IRS for federal tax reporting only. The ITIN is not intended to serve any other purpose. The ITIN does not authorize one to work in the US and it cannot be used as an identification number or for any purpose outside the US tax system.
The IRS issues ITINs to individuals who are required to have a US taxpayer identification number but who are not eligible to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN). If an individual is eligible to obtain a SSN, he should NOT be applying for an ITIN. ITINs are issued to Read More
For a quick refresher on what ITINs are: Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers aka ITINs are tax processing numbers issued by the Internal Revenue Service. It is a nine digit number that always begins with the number 9 and has a range of 70-88 in the fourth digit, example 9XX-7X-XXXX. The IRS issues ITINs to individuals who are required to have a U.S. taxpayer identification number but who do not have, and are not eligible to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
ITINs are issued regardless of immigration status because both resident and nonresident aliens may have a U.S. filing or reporting requirement under the Internal Revenue Code. Read More
State Department Turns Over Your Social Security Number & Location To The IRS
Non-compliant United States taxpayers living abroad are getting nervous. If an informant seeking a hefty IRS reward or FATCA doesn’t rat them out first, then the State Department will. This can happen when the non-compliant taxpayer renews his or her US passport.
Traditionally, the functions of the US Treasury and the Department of State were completely separate. However, we are seeing a continued erosion of this distinction as troubling economic times continue. The US passport renewal form mandates that the applicant supply his Social Security Number (SSN) if he has one.
This is authorized by Internal Revenue Code Section 6039E, enacted in 1986. The legislative history to that section makes clear that over 25 years ago Congress was aware that US persons residing overseas were not filing US tax returns even though required to do so. Congress intended to increase tax compliance of US citizens living outside the United States through its enactment of this tax provision. The IRS has continued to drag its feet in promulgating Treasury Regulations that can offer more guidance. Recently, the IRS has renewed its interest in the topic. In January of 2012, the IRS withdrew old proposed Regulations that had been issued in 1992 and issued new ones dated January 26, 2012. We are still waiting for these Regulations to be finalized over one year later! Read More
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