stacrat

Hi all,

My husband wanted me to find out if we can get SS numbers for our kids as he can use them to write off money for tax purposes. I saw on another thread here about the ITIN numbers, but I also found this info that says that children of an L1 holder can apply for an SS number

http://www.ehow.com/how_6858120_do-s...-l2-visa_.html ). It says to fill in SS5

I've looked at form ss5: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.pdf, and it does seem to allow for foreign born people to apply. Has anyone else done this for their children?

Complication - My L1A holder husband is not the natural father of my kids though. On the form it says Parent / Mother and Parent/Father. Would I be able to use his name and SS number as he is their parent in US? Their real father lives in another country (and gave permission for them to move with us).

My elder daughter is already talking about earning money through babysitting as some of her friends are starting to do. Would even this be shut off to her as she doesn't have a work permit? Or, if she did any babysitting (in a year or two), would they be that strict that we'd get into trouble?

Many thanks for advice

Speedwell

When I was babysitting as a teenager, it was on an informal, ad hoc basis. Nobody I have ever known checks up on that, or on a kid using the family lawnmower to mow lawns in the summer, or a lemonade stand. Technically, yes, all income must be declared to the IRS (they made me say that), but nobody ever cares about teenagers who watch TV with the kids, feed them hot dogs and beans, and put them to bed while Mom and Dad go to the movies or whatever. The people she sits for won't, unless they are real pieces of work, attempt to claim that she is an independent contractor and must pay taxes. If you have any doubts, ask the parents before she sits.

jeffreyhy

Good question, worthy of debate. No. So cancel the dabate. Regards, JEff

stacrat

Thanks for both replies. That's good to know.

I would still like to know about whether the SS numbers are possible and if anyone has gone down that route rather than the ITIN's? And the 'parent' thing - i.e. can their stepfather be put on their form as a parent?

Thanks

Jerseygirl

My 11 yr old daughter obtained a SS# within a few days of arriving here...but that was in 1996...things may have changed since then.

Unless he has legally adopted them I can't see how he can be their parent...but that's just my take on it.

Edit: How old is the child who wants to babysit? I ask because a neighbour asked my then 13 yr old daughter to look after their kids. I said no...but it seems around here kids that age do babysit.

jeffreyhy

The simplest way to get a definitive answer might be to have her apply. It's simple and there's no fee. If denied it confirms that she qualifies for an ITIN.

Regards, JEff

jeffreyhy

What was her status?

Regards, JEff

Jerseygirl

Hubby was L1a...so L2 I suppose. We went to the SS office the day after landing...shortly after 3 SS cards arrived in the mail.

stacrat

Hi, no he hasn't adopted them and that isn't an option, however I thought there was room to manoeuvre because they specifically had PARENT / MOTHER and PARENT / FATHER on the form. Why not just have MOTHER and FATHER?

As Jeffreyha says I might as well apply, so when I get my SSN (hopefully next week) I can print out 2 forms per child and fill in one with my OH and one with their father, and then just ask at the counter which one (if any) they'll accept.

(She's 12 so still a bit young in my opinion too but time flies quickly)

jeffreyhy

Applicable to the OP's situation, then. Very good .

Regards, JEff

MarylandNed

You only have to file a tax return if your income is above a certain level. So kids can quite legally earn a good amount for babysitting, petsitting etc without necessarily having to declare any of it.

Speedwell

Because Heather has two mommies.

kimilseung

Is note 10.B. of use here?

lumsmum

We came to the u.s on a visa hubby on L1a and myself and children on L2.

You cannot get a ss number for your children on this visa, As adults we could but not the children, so we had to apply for a itin number for tax purposes.
As a heads up we got our green cards last month yeahhhh, however we went to the social security office to get the children numbers, as our eldest is 16 and wants to look for work.
They cannot issue ss numbers until you have had your green card for around 15 business days as it takes that long for them to be entered into the system.
Hope this helps

Apfelkuchen

When I was little, I and all my friends read a series of books called The Babysitters Club which featured a, er, babysitters club formed by a group middle school girls in Connecticut and all the CRAZY babysitting adventures they had. Most of the girls were 13, a couple were 11. I always assumed that the idea of someone that young being allowed to babysit was totally unrealistic. Apparently I was wrong!

Jeez, I'm 28 and I wouldn't advise anyone to trust me with their kids.