Taxes, SSNs, ITINs, and identity documents

Key takeaways

Start with the answer

Use SSA for Social Security numbers and IRS for tax filing and ITIN rules; neither a generic guide nor an ITIN decides immigration status.
Follow official sources to the agency or plan that controls the next step.
State, local, plan, contract, and individual facts can change the answer.

The short answer

Use SSA for Social Security numbers and IRS for tax filing and ITIN rules; neither a generic guide nor an ITIN decides immigration status.

Choose a task

Use the task guides below to move from orientation to a verified next step. Each guide shows its review date, source links, safety boundary, and related route.

Task routes

Choose what you need to do

Prepare your federal tax filing documents

Organize identity, income, deduction, credit, and prior-year records before choosing a filing method.

SSN vs. ITIN: what each number does

Use the issuing agency’s eligibility rules; the two numbers serve different purposes.

Choose a tax return preparer carefully

Verify the preparer, understand credentials and representation rights, agree on fees, and never sign a blank or incomplete return.

Primary sources

Verify with the responsible agency

IRS — Filing information for individualsgovernment
SSA — Social Security number and cardgovernment

How this page was made

This page uses AI-assisted content. Its listed references provide official starting points, but this English version does not yet have a matching record in the current source-review process. The content date is not a certification of human or expert review. Verify current instructions with the responsible agency. See the editorial policy and corrections process.