Us Social Security Number

[Spaniel]

Does anyone know the procedure for getting a SSAN for their Thai wife?

[Gary A]

She can't get a Social Security number unless she is a US citizen.

[jstumbo]

She can't get a Social Security number unless she is a US citizen.

Not true. My wife who has PR status in the US has a SSN.

If she is in the US, check with the social security office. If in Thailand, then she would probably need a Tax ID number instead of a SSN because it would just be for your tax purposes.

See the IRS website for information on how to do this.

Edited April 18, 2008 by jstumbo

[Smokin Joe]

If you are asking for tax purposes she can get an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer ID Number) by filing IRS Form W-7 the first time you file a joint tax return. She doesn't need to get the number first, you just include the W-7 with the return.

She would need a certified copy of her passport to include with the W-7 made by the US Embassy (or you have the option of sending original ID Docs)

[Smokin Joe]

And like jstumbo said.

I am assuming you are in Thailand but if she is living in the US there are other ways Just go to the nearest SSA office. The SSA has offices all over, not just in major cities.

[TokyoT]

In order to be eligible to a SSN one must either be a US citizen, a permanent resident (US green card holder), or temporary working resident.

If this is tax related then you can get your wife an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) by filing a W-7 form.

[sendbaht]

"She can't get a Social Security number unless she is a US citizen"

My wife has had a SS card and number for over 20 years. She is not a US Citizen.

[Gary A]

I guess the better answer would have been that she must be a permanent resident of the US. I was told that my wife could not get a Social Security number if we are living in Thailand.

[Spaniel]

Thanks for the replies. Looks like she isn't elgible for SSN. She already has the ITIN which we use when we file a joint tax return. The reason I was interested in the SSN for her is I just found out for her to get that $300 economic stimulus payment she must have a SSN. I also found out that if a couple file jointly and one has a ITIN instead of the SSN then neither are elgible for the $300 stimulus payment! So looks like I wont be getting $300 either!

[lopburi3]

Correct - no money for us.

[dingdongrb]

I guess the better answer would have been that she must be a permanent resident of the US. I was told that my wife could not get a Social Security number if we are living in Thailand.

Actually that is somewhat correct, however my wife is Thai and was granted permanent residence with a 2 year condition when she arrived in the USA on a K1 Fiance visa. Needless to say, we have since left the USA and did not refile to remove the conditions and in not doing so she lost her PR status. But in the end, she worked in the USA during the 2 years that we were there, obtained a SSN, and filed taxes... So in summary, she has a SSN (which she will keep until the day she dies), does not have PR status, and is not a US citizen...... Positive note: Since her and I both have SSNs we were elgible to get the tax rebate the kind ole USA govt was handing out this year.....

[AFKAFSinLOS]

SSAN , IRS, SSN, ITIN, W7 form, SSA office, k1 Visa .

Stay in Thailand and get yourself the Thai equivalents. The bureaucracy here is a little lighter, and that way your wife doesn't need the US ones. Much easier...

Good luck anyway. Sounds a nightmare!

Edited April 18, 2008 by AFKAFSinLOS

[slapout]

Man was honest to tell us why he was interested in a ss no. for his wife( I surmised as much due to all the tax stimulus notices sent out). I was surprised that anyone living and fileing abroad would even be in the equation. Guess those good politicians left another loophole for some people to use. Or maybe they felt bad about the dollar value vs foreign currencies and thought this would help out the poor abused citizens of the USA who live abroad.

[Naam]

She can't get a Social Security number unless she is a US citizen.

incorrect information. my wife and me are german citizens but both of us have a U.S. social security number.

[Naam]

I guess the better answer would have been that she must be a permanent resident of the US. I was told that my wife could not get a Social Security number if we are living in Thailand.

incorrect info again Gary. we were never permanent residents but lived in the Greatest Nation on Earth™ as tourists. applied for a SSN, got it within 5 days, and happily paid our fair share of taxes to the IRS.

[Naam]

In order to be eligible to a SSN one must...

yada yada yada yakety yakety yakety yak

[TokyoT]

I guess the better answer would have been that she must be a permanent resident of the US. I was told that my wife could not get a Social Security number if we are living in Thailand.

incorrect info again Gary. we were never permanent residents but lived in the Greatest Nation on Earth™ as tourists. applied for a SSN, got it within 5 days, and happily paid our fair share of taxes to the IRS.

As tourists why did you owe taxes to the IRS?

[Naam]

I guess the better answer would have been that she must be a permanent resident of the US. I was told that my wife could not get a Social Security number if we are living in Thailand.

incorrect info again Gary. we were never permanent residents but lived in the Greatest Nation on Earth™ as tourists. applied for a SSN, got it within 5 days, and happily paid our fair share of taxes to the IRS.

As tourists why did you owe taxes to the IRS?

even as tourists you are liable to pay income tax if you don't pay income tax in a country which has signed a double tax agreement with the U.S. then it all depends on your accumulated days of stay.

yada yada yada:

Substantial Presence Test

You will be considered a U.S. resident for tax

purposes if you meet the substantial presence

test for calendar year 2007. To meet this test,

you must be physically present in the United

States on at least:

1. 31 days during 2007, and

2. 183 days during the 3-year period that inknown

cludes 2007, 2006, and 2005, counting:

a. All the days you were present in 2007,

and

b. 1/3 of the days you were present in

2006, and

c. 1/6 of the days you were present in

2005.

Example. You were physically present in

the United States on 120 days in each of the

years 2005, 2006, and 2007. To determine if you

meet the substantial presence test for 2007,

count the full 120 days of presence in 2007, 40 admindays

in 2006 (1/3 of 120), and 20 days in 2005 (1/6

of 120). Because the total for the 3-year period is

180 days, you are not considered a resident comunder

the substantial presence test for 2007.

The term United States includes the follow-

ing areas.

• All 50 states and the District of Columbia.

• The territorial waters of the United States.

• The seabed and subsoil of those subma-

rine areas that are adjacent to U.S. territo-

rial waters and over which the United

States has exclusive rights under interna-

tional law to explore and exploit natural

resources.

The term does not include U.S. possessions and

territories or U.S. airspace.

Days of Presence

in the United States

You are treated as present in the United States

on any day you are physically present in the

country at any time during the day. However,

there are exceptions to this rule. Do not count

the following as days of presence in the United

States for the substantial presence test.

• Days you commute to work in the United

States from a residence in Canada or

Mexico if you regularly commute from

Canada or Mexico.

• Days you are in the United States for less

than 24 hours when you are in transit be-

tween two places outside the United

States.

• Days you are in the United States as a

crew member of a foreign vessel.

• Days you are unable to leave the United

States because of a medical condition that

arose while you are in the United States.

• Days you are an exempt individual.

[Spaniel]

Naam

Thanks for that info. My wife and i will be going to the USA in June. While there I'll try to get her the SSN and if sucessful will file a 1040X using her new number which will then qualify us both for the stimulus payment.

[Tinkelbell]

Most Thai students who had been to the US to advance their study, all have SSN. That dued to the part that they got employment right after their graduation.

These Thais would stayed and worked for a few years to gain exquisit experiences.

Then came back to Thailand to work for major international companies, or resumed their duty as a son by running a family business, I had seen some are working for the BKK Metropolitan Administration also.

Some who have left the US almost two decades ago still maintain their SSN.

Like the other poster said it doesn't have to be US citizen or PR. One can get SSN through a temporaty working inside the country.