Social Security Number (SSN)

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (SSN)

U.S. federal law requires all individuals employed in the U.S. to have a Tax Identification Number: either a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Of the two types of Tax Identification Numbers, the SSN is the most common.  SSN’s are used to identify employees and tax salaries, and are only issued for the purpose of employment. Please note that the Social Security Administration will not issue a SSN for the purpose of opening a bank account or obtaining driver’s license or telephone.

IMPORTANT: A SSN is not required to begin employment, but must be obtained immediately after being hired.  You need a job or a job offer to apply for a SSN, and after you apply for the SSN and while you wait for your Social Security number, your employer can use the letter you receive from the Social Security Administration stating that you applied for a SSN.

Please note that for non-EAD based F-1 student employment (CPT and on-campus employment), the Social Security Administration will not process an application for a SSN if it is more than 30 days in advance of the scheduled employment start date; in the case of EAD-based F-1 employment, the employment start date on the EAD card must already have been reached before the Social Security Administration will process the application for a SSN.

• SSA: International Students and Social Security Numbers

NOTE: For those students (e.g. sponsored students and student athletes) who receive taxable scholarships, grants or stipends from U.S. sources but are not employed in the U.S., you should apply for the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) which is detailed further down this page.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR A SSN WITH ON-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT

Step 1: VERIFY EMPLOYMENT

F-1 students must have their employing department complete a Understanding of International Student Employment Eligibility Form for verification. The Social Security Administration requires F-1 Student Visa Holders to submit proof of on-campus employment with verification from an Advisor from International Student Services Department. To be eligible to apply for a Social Security Number, you must be employed or have a promise of employment from a department on-campus.

Step 2: COMPLETE SOCIAL SECURITY WAITING PERIOD

Before you can submit an application to the Social Security Administration for a SSN, your F-1 SEVIS Record must have been registered/validated at least 2 days prior to your SSN application date.

So, if you are a new student and have just arrived, you must first complete Check-in with ISSD and will need to wait until 2 days after the completion of Check-in has been verified before applying for a SSN.

Step 3: APPLY FOR THE SSN AT THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION OFFICES – APPOINTMENT REQUIRED

No receipts or proof of interview will be given during the Express Interview. SSN applications will be processed within 2 business days, and a confirmation receipt will be mailed. Social Security Cards should arrive approximately 10 business days after the interview date (Mailed via USPS from Baltimore, MD).

SSN DENIAL LETTERS: For those students and dependents who are ineligible for a Social Security Number but require a SSN Denial Letter in order to apply for an Florida Driver’s License, you must submit a request for a Denial Letter to the Social Security Administration by doing the following:

1. Complete an SSN DENIAL LETTER REQUEST

2. Make an appointment to visit the Social Security Administration.

3. Take the following supporting documents with you:

   • Your passport;

   • Your most recent Visa (even if it has expired) or I797 Approval Notice for COS to F-1;

   • Your F-1 I-20 (pages 1 and 2 only), and

   • Your I-94 Arrival/Departure Record.

SSA Offices are open Monday – Friday (except on Federal Holidays), 9 am – 4 pm.

Step 4: SUBMIT SSN CARD TO HR OFFICE

In approximately two weeks from the time you submit your SSN application, you will receive your Social Security Card in the mail at the address you provided.

Please submit 1 copy of your Social Security Card to the HR Director's Office (hr@sfbc.edu) and to the Student Billing Office (billing@sfbc.edu).

Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

The Individual Taxpayer Identification Number is an alternative tax number offered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to those individuals who receive income through grants and scholarships from U.S. sources but who are not employed and thus not eligible for a Social Security Number.

All students/scholars who have received income from US sources must file income tax returns.  If you are not employed in the U.S., the Social Security Office in Margate and in other cities in the U.S. will deny your application for a Social Security Number.  Issuance of a SSN requires that you be employed in the U.S.

If you are a student athlete or student who receives a grant or scholarship in the U.S., and you do not have on-campus employment that would make you eligible for a Social Security Number, you may be eligible to apply for an Individual Tax Identification Number or ITIN.

ITIN Application Steps

• Form W-7, “Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number”

• A certification letter (with applicant’s full name and SEVIS number)

• Copies of identity and foreign status documentation A copy of the Form I-20,

• Your Latest Valid I-20

• Other required documentation to meet the Form W-7 application requirement

Taxes

International Student Services Department specializes in immigration matters, not taxes. If you require additional information or have specific questions, please direct your inquiries to a Tax Preparation Specialist.

TAX SCAMS

Be Aware of Refund E-mail Scams! The IRS does not send unsolicited emails to taxpayers and does not request such detailed personal and financial information.

If you receive such email, you should not open it as it likely contains some sort of virus or malware. International student and scholars should NEVER provide their SSN/ITIN to anyone via an email.

See our Scam Info Page for more resources.

Residency Status – Resident Alien vs. Nonresident Alien

• Determining Alien Status 

• Taxation of Nonresident Aliens

• Taxation of Resident Aliens

• Taxation of Dual-Status Aliens

Federal Tax Forms: Download the necessary forms

• Form 1040NR – Instructions

• Form 1040NR

• Form 1040NR-EZ Instructions

• Form 1040NR-EZ

• Form 8843

• Form W-7 (to obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number if you do not already have a Social Security Number or ITIN)

• Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File Federal Tax Return

IRS Form 8843 – (Statement for Exempt Individuals and Individuals with a Medical Condition)
All nonresident aliens must file the Form 8843 if they were:

• Inside the U.S. during the last calendar year, and

• in F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, M-1, M-2, Q-1, or Q-2 visa status

Both nonresident students who have received income and those who have not received any income are required to file this form.

Internationalstudent.com has a free online resource to assist with completing the 8843 – 8843 Form Wizard.

Information on Preparing Form 8843 – Item 9: When asked to provide the Name, Address, and Telephone number of the academic institution that you attended, please enter:

South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
(954) 637-2268

Additional Tax Forms
Nonresident aliens who have earned or received income in the U.S. (e.g., payment for employment, scholarships, stipends) may be required to file additional income tax forms.

Tax Payer Identification Number:
In general nonresident individuals may apply for either a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for use on income tax related documents (not IRS Form 8843).

• Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN’s) for Foreign Students & Scholars

• Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (Form W-7)

Income Tax Resources:

• IRS Homepage

• International Students and Scholars IRS Resources

Income Tax Publications:

• U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens (Publication 519)

• Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities (Publication 515)

• U.S. Tax Treaties (Publication 901)

• Tax Benefits for Education (Publication 970)

• Exemptions, Standard Deductions, and Filing Information(Publication 501)

• Employer’s Tax Guide (Publication 15)