bobbedford

Hi there.

I am moving to the US on an L1 on Sunday, and then I was planning to start work a week on Monday.

However, my company has never moved anyone before, and someone in HR has mentioned that I probably wont be able to start work without a SSN.

Is this right. I'd never seen anybody mention this on the forum before, and my first response is that it is wrong.

Any thoughts?

HarryTheSpider

As far as I know, that's crap.

Why do I say this?

Because I started work for my company without an SSN.

I'm here on an L1 too.

My company does a bunch of L1 moves each year...

You apply for your SSN after being in country for 2 weeks (10 working days) and then it takes a few weeks to come through.

Banks etc usually need your SSN within 90 days of starting to use your accounts otherwise they freeze any interest-related transactions - they need your SSN primarily for tax reporting purposes...

If you like, I can speak to one of our HR people directly, and get some overview or advice that might help your HR people get their heads around it - few things are simple the first time, especially where the government is involved!

Good luck with the move & job!

Cheers

Harry

bobbedford

Thanks for the offer. I think I may just reach out to the lawyer the company used and they can let them know. I think all I need is an I-9, so they need to see my I94+passport/ visa and my I-797.

HarryTheSpider

Yup - hadn't thought of that - seems like the sensible next step!

fatbrit

I'd place more credence on A bloke in a bar told me...

You need to be able to complete an I-9 to start employment. The choice of documents is yours, not theirs.

Michael

I think some companies think you can't start working since their computer system (payroll, health insurance, etc.) can't process you without a social security number. I'm not quite sure how they get around that problem but suspect a temporary (made up) social security number is used that processes everything but the computer recognizes it as a temporary number and does not do things like sending tax withholdings to the IRS until your real social security number is updated.

A lot of companies use ADP to process payroll for their employees and suspect that ADP has a system in place to process payroll for employees that do not yet have their social security number. I suspect the same is true for health insurance companies even though a social security number is not required by law for health insurance but may possibly be used to match the employee to benefits for internal purposes.

Bob

The company has 90 days to get a SSN off you, so you're good to start work without it. You're even good to get paid without it, but without it, they'll take the maximum amount of taxes out of the pay cheque, which you can adjust once you get your SSN.

How did the person in HR get the job if they are so inept at HR requirements in the first place?

Bob

In that situation, they, along with banks, insurance companies etc, etc are meant to use 000-00-004 as a SSN until a real one can be provided. This number is designated johnny foreigner who hasn't been given a real number yet.

100weight

Because HR stands for Human Remains.

Michael

Ok, so that is how it is done so that computer programs know how to handle that situation.

Michael

So it appears the company withholds the maximum amount but doesn't send it to the IRS until you receive your social security number since the IRS has to keep track of any money sent to them based on a social security number so that when you file year end taxes or ever receive social security benefits, those taxes can be taken into account.

Bob

Yes, well there is that

Bob

Yes. That is what is supposed to happen, so those first pay cheques can feel a bit light, but as the company is holding the money, they should be able to re-adjust the following post SSN pay, though I'm sure most would probably just file it and make you do the tax claim for any over paid taxes at tax time.

ChocolateBabz

Hubby's employers used a 'dummy' SSN until he had his real one.

MarylandNed

Had a SSN obviously!