Filing US Taxes as Canadian Citizen without SSN

xul · Post by **xul** » Tue May 27, 2014 4:51 am

I worked as an intern last year in the US on a J-1 visa but due to some issues with the SSA never received my SSN. They rejected my application due to them not being able to verify that my SEVIS fee was paid, even though it had been by my employer.

By the time I went to reapply for my SSN they told me I couldn't apply for it since my visa was about to expire soon. When I told my employer that I hadn't received my SSN in time, they simply told me it's okay and on my W-2 that I received from them, it just has an invalid SSN in the SSN field (starting with 000).

I went to an H&R Block to ask what to do in this situation and they recommended I find a US tax specialist. One of the employees I spoke to told me to just wait until I go back to the US and reapply for an SSN to file my taxes, since I'll be returning to the same company for full time employment in a few months. I've also had another employee at a different H&R Block suggest I apply for an ITIN but mentioned I would need a specialist for that too.

I'm not exactly sure what steps I need to take next to get this situation resolved.

nelsona · Post by **nelsona** » Tue May 27, 2014 5:11 am

First and foremost, you need to file your US taxes, and your Cdn taxes, with credit given for the correct US taxes. It was ludicrous for the person to suggest you should wait until you eventually if ever go back.

The correct process is to file a 1040NR, reporting only your US wages, along with an ITIN request (w-7).

Its funny that HRBlockhead would suggest you find an "expert". they claim to be experts in all their blurbs.

xul · Post by **xul** » Tue May 27, 2014 5:23 am

Will I be able to file my Canadian and US taxes independently of one another?

Do you work for Serbinski & Associates? I'm guessing it'll be easier if I contact them and work with them to walk me through the entire process.

nelsona · Post by **nelsona** » Tue May 27, 2014 6:06 am

I do not work for them, as indicated in my signature. You do not need elaborate professional tax preparation. Filing 1040NR is simple.

ND · Post by ND » Sun Jun 08, 2014 4:18 am

You need an ITIN and to send your ITIN application to IRS' ITIN dept (not to 1040NR dept) along with your 1040NR. You also need to include your SSN rejection letter. At any time that you become eligible for SSN, you must apply for SSN and contact IRS to retire the ITIN after issued the SSN. Current rules make all ITINs from past 18 months onward expire after five years. I can help you apply for an ITIN if you need help.