SSN vs ITIN for J1 Visa Holders – What You Need to Know

When you come to the U.S. with a J1 Visa, one of your first questions will likely be: Do I need a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)?

This distinction is crucial, because it determines whether your employer can report your wages properly on a Form W-2 and whether you can file your U.S. taxes correctly using the Form 1040NR or Form 8843.

👉 Before we go further, remember that at J1 Go Tax, we only prepare taxes for J1 visa holders who receive a W-2. If that’s your case, you can use our J1 Tax Calculator to estimate your refund instantly.

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Sep 18, 2025 | J1 VISA, Learning IRS

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What is a Social Security Number (SSN)?

- An SSN is issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA).
- As a J1 Visa holder, you can apply for an SSN if you are authorized to work in the U.S. (this will be indicated on your DS-2019 form).
- Your employer will use your SSN to report your wages to the IRS through a Form W-2.
📌 Without an SSN, your employer cannot issue you a proper W-2, which means you won’t be able to file your J1 taxes in the standard way.

What is an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)?

- An ITIN is issued by the IRS, not the SSA.
- It is meant for individuals who need to file a tax return but are not eligible for an SSN.
- Some J1 visa holders who are not working (for example, those who only need to file a Form 8843) may need an ITIN.
However, if you are working and earning wages, you must have an SSN, not an ITIN.

Which One Do You Need as a J1 Visa Holder?

If you work in the U.S. under a J1 Visa: You need an SSN so your employer can issue your W-2.
If you do not work but must file Form 8843: You may need an ITIN.

👉 Confusing SSN and ITIN is a common mistake among J1 visa holders. Having the wrong number can delay your refund or cause IRS issues.

Why It Matters for Your Taxes

Your SSN or ITIN connects all your tax forms:

DS-2019 → authorizes your work.
W-2 → reports your wages.
1042-S → reports scholarships or stipends.
1040NR or 8843 → used to file your return.

Each of these documents must match the ID number you use. If you have a W-2, that means you must use your SSN.

File Your J1 Taxes Correctly

At J1 Go Tax, we specialize only in J1 Visa taxes with W-2 forms. That’s our niche — unlike Sprintax or other providers, we don’t take every case, we focus only on you.

✅ Use our J1 Tax Calculator to check your refund in seconds.
✅ Follow our step-by-step guide to understand every form you’ll need.
✅ Read about your forms: Form W-2, Form 1040NR, Form 8843, Form 1042-S, Form 1099, and DS-2019.