Social Security and Income Tax
Social Security & Income Taxes can be a source of great confusion for international students & scholars. Please review the information on eligibility and application procedures for social security. In addition general guidelines on income tax preparation for non-resident aliens is also available.
International Students & Scholars Advising Policy: The office of International Student & Scholar Services is neither trained nor licensed to prepare tax forms or give formal advice. We are happy to provide basic information – however – you may need to contact a tax professional for complicated tax matters.
Social Security Number (SSN)
A U.S. Social Security number is a unique, nine-digit number issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It facilitates the reporting wages to the government and is required in the order to work in the United States. This number also serves as a national identification number for taxation and other purposes.
Important Note: Do not carry your Social Security Number with you. Once you receive your card - store in a secure location and only provide when it is absolutely required. This is to protect your identity and prevent identity theft.
SSN Eligibility
- F-1 Student - must have a job offer to apply for a SSN
- F-2 Dependent - may not work and therefore do not qualify for a SSN. For DMV and other agencies that 'need' a SSN for application processing - you will need to obtain a 'letter of ineligibility' from the Social Security Administration.
- J-1 Student - must have employment authorization from the office of International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) - who is your J-1 sponsor.
- J-1 Scholars - automatically eligible for SSN
- J-2 Dependents - may apply for SSN's only if they secure work permission - and have an 'Employment Authorization Document' - from USCIS.
- H-1B Employees - automatically eligible for SSN
- H-4 Dependents - may not work and therefore do not qualify for a SSN. For DMV & other agencies that 'need' a SSN for application processing - you will need to obtain a 'letter of ineligibility' from the Social Security Administration.
SSN Application Procedures
Generally, international students & scholars should wait 7 – 10 days from their date of entry into the United States before applying for a SSN. You may begin working while your application is pending with the Social Security Administration (SSA). Please note that you will need to obtain a letter indicating that your application is pending for payroll purposes.
Follow the procedures depending on upon the type of non-immigrant status you hold. Note - it is important that the name on your social security application match the name you have on your I-20/DS-2019/I-797 - passport - I94 - and University records.
Standard Documents
- Valid passport
- Valid I-94 card or printed page of electronic I-94
- Form I-20 /DS-2019 / I-797 (change of status approval notice)
Work Eligibility – with supporting documentation based on your status
- F-1 Students - On campus employment - In addition to the standard documents shown above - you will need evidence of employment (from your hiring department) and verification of employment eligibility from the office of International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS).
- Obtain an Employment Verification Letter from your department and/or on campus employer. This letter must be on letterhead with an original signature and include the details provided on the sample letter. Submit this letter to ISSS for processing.
- Wait for email from ISSS to pick up your ISSS Employment Eligibility letter - Employer Verification Letter - and - SSN Application
- F-1 Students - with Employment Authorization Document (EAD Card) - In most cases - students with an EAD card are on Optional Practical Training (OPT) - however - in some circumstances, F-1 students can obtain authorization to work off campus. Students with an EAD card must submit the standard documents shown above and their EAD card. No additional letters are necessary.
- F-1 Students - with Curricular Practical Training (CPT) - Student on CPT must submit the standard documents shown above and a properly endorsed I-20 with ISSS authorization for CPT on page 2. No additional letters are necessary but an employment letter may be useful.
- J-1 Students - with CU Sponsorship - In addition to the standard documents - J-1 students with Clarkson University listed in item 2 of their DS_2019 must obtain a J-1 employment authorization letter from ISSS. This letter will verify your full-time enrollment and employment authorization at CU.
- J-1 Students - without CU Sponsorship - In addition to the standard documents - J-1 students without Clarkson University listed in item 2 of their DS_2019 must obtain a J-1 employment authorization letter from their official sponsor.
- J-2 Dependents - with Employment Authorization Document (EAD Card) - In addition to the standard documents above - J-2 dependents will need to submit their EAD card. No additional letters are necessary.
Note: All students or scholars applying for a social security number will need to obtain a letter or receipt from the Social Security Administration (SSA) to submit with your payroll forms indicating you have applied for the SSN and your application is pending.
Where to Apply
- Students and Scholars must submit their social security application in person to the Social Security Administration.
- Potsdam Campus - students & scholars in Potsdam, N.Y. will apply to the SSA office in Ogdensburg, N.Y. The drive is about 35 minutes west of Potsdam.
- CRC Campus (Schenectady) - students in Schenectady, N.Y. will apply to the SSA office in Schenectady, N.Y.
Income Tax Information
International students & scholars who have U.S. income and/or taxable scholarships are required to file tax returns. The deadline for this application to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) must be postmarked by April 15 every year. The office of International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) provides FREE access to tax software to Clarkson International students & employees for filing your federal tax forms as long as you continue to be considered a non-resident for US Federal tax purposes.
ISSS will email communications during each year tax filing period, which generally begins in February. The payroll office will disperse tax documents during the month of January for anyone earning income or receiving a taxable scholarship for anytime during January - December of the tax year.