Bank Account without SSN

I just went and got a SS# - it was simpler - are you permanent (green card holders)?

I was confused by the term "non-resident alien". A green-card holder is classified as a "resident allien" and can get a SS#, my daughter-in-law has one. If you are in the US on a tourist or student visa, I don't think you can get a SS#.

if you are on stx try bank of st croix, they are a us bank

if you are on stx try bank of st croix, they are a us bank

That makes no difference at all. OP, if the bank employees don't understand what a W-8 is, talk to the branch manager. If the branch manager doesn't know what it is, talk to the bank's VP. I've never been in your particular situation but there have been a couple of occasions when I've had to go to the highest echelon to get an answer to a question. It didn't take me long at all. Good luck!

According to this University of Michigan site, the W-8 reqires an F or J visa. http://internationalcenter.umich.edu/taxes/taxssnabout.html

Many US banks are partners with international banks. Assuming you have an account at a bank somewhere else, I would see if they are partners with any of the local banks and approach those banks. I bank with Scotia, and I know they have a few international relationships.

Damn, if legal aliens have to go through this sort of crap to pay taxes, I don't know what is more effed up.

Damn, if legal aliens have to go through this sort of crap to pay taxes, I don't know what is more effed up.

It's standard US banking practice to require a SS# in order to open an account and in these rather rare cases where an applicant has such as the W-8, not all tellers or even branch managers are familiar with them. It's not an insurmountable problem, just sometimes entails going further up the managerial ladder.

My point is that if you pay taxes, you should have a SSN no matter where you are from. You pay into it, you are part of it.

It appears to me that the OP, as a non-resident alien, does not have income here, so he pays no income taxes here, and he does not collect Social Security benefits. Therefore, he has no SSN.

Hey Bob,
Your a great Detective. The OP asked if anyone had experience with a w8 to open a bank account without the SS:D. However you cleared it up. Thanks!

Um, but if you read past posts by OP, he'll be "working from home" online.

tax id (ssn or other) is a must for any bank account (demand deposit or credit instrument). Consult with a CPA, most can help file the appropriate forms and have contacts with financial institutions.

Chambills,
You have to go up one more number. As an individual you do not file for a W8, W8 is for a Business. You would file for a W9 that is for the individual tax payer. You file the W9 with the Internal Revenue and they will issue you a ITIN Number (Individual Tax Identification Number.
This is not a SSN ( Social Security Number) or EIN( Employer Identification Number). Once you receive your ITIN( number), you can open a bank account with that number.:-)

People who have a right to work in the USA are eligible for social security cards. Those that don't cannot get them. You cannot pay ss taxes without a ss number.

Linda J
Sorry LindaJ you are wrong 100%wrong. Check the with the IRS before you make anymore foolish statements.Example above is ITIN (Number) no SS or medicare payments are collected, the ITIN allows people from countries that have trade and treaty agreements to work without paying.:-)

I would assume the real question is "I owe the US government a lot of money and don't want to give it to them, but a bank account would be very helpful, so what can I do?"

Electronic transfer from whom ever is holding your funds directly to the IRS.:-) or File a W9 and get ITIN NUMBER and open a bank account!:D

I would assume the real question is "I owe the US government a lot of money and don't want to give it to them, but a bank account would be very helpful, so what can I do?"

If I didn't know anything about the subject at hand I wouldn't assume anything at all..

I assume you wouldn't

Thanks for the advice (and discussion 😉 )
I will just use my wife's account for now and if scotia fails then open a mainland account when i'm next there.

Adam

Have you looked into Ally bank? We successfully opened a new account from here. It's online only. They refund 100-percent of ATM fees (even at the casino!) and you can deposit checks electronically by scanning them. In terms of your SSN issue, their phone customer service is A++.