Can I work in the US with an ITIN instead of an SSN?

No. An ITIN does not authorize work in the United States. Employers cannot legally hire a worker on an ITIN alone. The ITIN is strictly a tax processing number used to file federal returns, report investment income, and meet IRS reporting requirements. Work authorization comes from the SSN, an EAD card, or a visa with work privileges.

Can I get an SSN later if I already have an ITIN?

Yes. If your immigration status changes and you become eligible for an SSN (for example, you receive a green card or work-authorized visa), you apply for the SSN through the Social Security Administration. Once issued, you must notify the IRS so they can rescind your ITIN and merge your tax records under the new SSN.

Does an ITIN show up on a credit report like an SSN does?

Yes, but indirectly. Credit bureaus can build a credit file under an ITIN if a lender reports activity under that number. The file is real and FICO scores can be generated. The practical difference is that fewer lenders accept ITINs for new credit applications, so building an ITIN credit history takes a more deliberate approach.

Do banks treat ITINs and SSNs the same?

Federally, both numbers satisfy the Customer Identification Program (CIP) under the USA PATRIOT Act, so any bank may legally accept either. In practice, large national banks have ITIN-friendly programs (Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citi), while some smaller banks still require an SSN. Online banks like Mercury and Relay accept ITINs without restriction.

Does an ITIN expire like an SSN?

SSNs never expire. ITINs expire if they are not used on a federal tax return for three consecutive years. Once expired, the ITIN must be renewed by filing a new Form W-7 with the required documents. The IRS does not allow expired ITINs to be used on returns until renewal is complete.

Updated June 25, 2026

ITIN vs SSN: 10 Key Differences You Must Know in 2026

What Is an ITIN and What Is an SSN?

The Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a 9-digit number issued by the IRS to people who have a US tax filing or reporting requirement but are not eligible for a Social Security Number. The IRS introduced the ITIN in 1996 specifically so non-resident aliens, foreign students, dependents of US tax filers, and other groups outside the SSN program could comply with federal tax law.

The Social Security Number (SSN) is a 9-digit number issued by the Social Security Administration. It identifies workers for Social Security and Medicare purposes, tracks lifetime wages, and acts as the de facto national identifier for credit, banking, and federal benefits. The SSA issues SSNs only to US citizens, permanent residents, and certain visa holders authorized to work.

For a deeper look at the ITIN itself, see what is an ITIN and the comprehensive ITIN vs SSN comparison page.

How Are the ITIN and SSN Different on 10 Key Dimensions?

Dimension	ITIN	SSN
Issuer	IRS	Social Security Administration
Who qualifies	People with US tax filing duty, ineligible for SSN	Citizens, LPRs, work-authorized visa holders
Format / first digit	9XX-7X-XXXX or 9XX-8X-XXXX (always starts with 9)	XXX-XX-XXXX (never starts with 9)
Work authorization	No	Yes
Social Security & Medicare benefits	No	Yes
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)	Not eligible	Eligible if otherwise qualified
Child Tax Credit / ACTC	Limited (child needs SSN for CTC, ACTC partial)	Full eligibility
Bank account opening	Allowed at all major banks	Allowed everywhere
Credit reports / FICO	Possible, fewer lenders accept	Standard
Expiration	Expires after 3 years of non-use	Never expires

Why Does the IRS Issue ITINs Instead of Just Using SSNs?

Federal law requires every person with US-source income or a US filing obligation to use a Taxpayer Identification Number. Before 1996, foreign nationals and dependents without SSNs had no clean way to file. The IRS created the ITIN to close that gap. The ITIN lets the IRS process returns, collect tax owed, and issue refunds without expanding SSN issuance to people who do not qualify for Social Security.

For the legal definition and statutory basis, see the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number page.

Which Tax Credits Are Different for ITIN vs SSN Holders?

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): Requires the taxpayer, spouse, and qualifying children to all have SSNs. ITIN-only households cannot claim EITC.
Child Tax Credit (CTC): The qualifying child must have an SSN. An ITIN filer with an SSN child can claim the full credit.
Credit for Other Dependents: Available to dependents on an ITIN, capped at $500 per dependent.
American Opportunity Credit: Available to ITIN filers; no SSN requirement for the student.
Premium Tax Credit: Generally requires SSN eligibility through the marketplace; ITIN-only filers usually do not qualify.

How Do You Switch From an ITIN to an SSN When You Become Eligible?

Apply for the SSN at a Social Security office once your visa or status authorizes it.
Receive the SSN card from the SSA (typically 2 to 4 weeks).
Write to the IRS ITIN Operations unit in Austin, TX, requesting that they rescind your ITIN and merge prior tax records under the new SSN.
Include copies of your SSN card, ITIN assignment letter (CP565), and a clear written request.
Use the SSN on all future returns. The IRS will not penalize prior ITIN-filed returns.

When Should You Apply for an ITIN Instead of Waiting for an SSN?

Apply for an ITIN when you have a current-year filing duty, withholding refund opportunity, or third-party reporting (1099, K-1, 1042-S) and your SSN eligibility is not certain or imminent. Waiting can mean missing the tax return deadline, losing refund windows (the IRS gives 3 years to claim a refund), or accumulating backup withholding at 24 percent on US accounts that lack a TIN.

See the how to get an ITIN guide for the application timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions About ITIN vs SSN

An SSN (Social Security Number) is issued by the Social Security Administration to US citizens, permanent residents, and certain work-authorized non-residents. An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is issued by the IRS to people who have a US tax filing requirement but are not eligible for an SSN. The SSN authorizes work and federal benefits; the ITIN does neither.

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