Social Security and Taxes

Social Security Number

In addition to housing and insurance, you will also be receiving a monthly stipend. In the United States, you are required to have apply for a Social Security Number. The Social Security number (SSN) was created in 1936 for the sole purpose of tracking the earnings histories of U.S. workers, for use in determining Social Security benefit entitlement and computing benefit levels. Since then, use of the SSN has expanded substantially. Today the SSN may be the most commonly used numbering system in the United States. It is a 9-digit number that keeps track of earnings history for employees in the United States and for social security benefits and computation (most often to determine the amount you will receive in your retirement).

Because of the nature of your visa, you are automatically eligible to receive your SSN.  You can begin working as an FLTA without your SSN number, but you should begin the application as soon as possible. 

International Student and Scholar Affairs (ISSA) at Notre Dame will help you through the process of obtaining your social security number. Follow the guidelines on their web site to obtain your social security card. 

Filing Taxes

Taxes in the US are notoriously complicated, even for US nationals.

As an F-1 or J-1 student, you must file U.S. tax forms to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) each spring, even if you have no U.S. income.  Tax filing is due each year on April 15, and Notre Dame offers a service to help you file your taxes through the International Tax Assistance Program (ITAP). More information about filing your taxes can be found on the ISSA website.

IIE/Fulbright may also provide tax-filing resources. Please be sure to reach out to your Fulbright advisor in February or March to see what they can assist with. 

If you need assistance mailing your documents in April, the CSLC can help you.