How do DACA recipients get an SSN?

After receiving your EAD (Form I-766), visit your local Social Security Administration office. Bring your EAD, passport or birth certificate, Form I-797 (DACA approval notice), and completed Form SS-5. The SSA issues an SSN within 2 to 4 weeks. There is no fee. Your SSN card arrives by mail. This SSN is unrestricted for employment and tax purposes while your DACA status is active.

What happens to my ITIN after I get DACA and an SSN?

Notify the IRS to merge your ITIN records with your new SSN. Send a letter to: Internal Revenue Service, Austin, TX 73301-0057. Include your name, ITIN, new SSN, and a copy of your Social Security card. The IRS merges all prior tax history (returns, payments, credits) filed under your ITIN with your SSN record within 4 to 8 weeks. Stop using your ITIN immediately.

Can DACA recipients claim the Earned Income Tax Credit?

Yes. DACA recipients with a valid SSN and earned income can claim the EITC, worth up to $7,830 in 2026 for families with 3+ qualifying children. ITIN holders cannot claim EITC. This is one of the biggest financial benefits of transitioning from ITIN to SSN through DACA. You can also amend up to 3 prior years of returns to claim EITC for years when you had a valid SSN and earned income.

Should I file taxes before DACA approval with an ITIN?

Yes. Filing tax returns before DACA approval demonstrates tax compliance, which can support your DACA application. Use your ITIN to file. Even if you owe no tax, filing creates a record of compliance. Tax returns filed under an ITIN are valid and transfer to your SSN record after DACA approval. Filing also keeps your ITIN active (preventing 3-year non-use expiration) in case you need it.

Does filing taxes with an ITIN affect my DACA application?

No negative impact. Tax filing information is protected under IRC Section 6103 and cannot be used for immigration enforcement. Filing taxes demonstrates good moral character and civic responsibility, both positives for DACA applications. Many immigration attorneys recommend filing taxes as evidence of continuous presence and community ties. The IRS and USCIS are separate agencies.

What if my DACA expires and I go back to using my ITIN?

If your DACA and EAD expire and you do not renew, your SSN remains valid for tax purposes but you may lose work authorization. You should continue filing taxes with your SSN (not revert to your ITIN). If you are unable to renew DACA and lose SSN eligibility, consult an immigration attorney and tax professional about your specific situation. Never use both an ITIN and SSN simultaneously.

Can I get an ITIN while my DACA application is pending?

Yes. If your DACA application is pending and you do not yet have an EAD or SSN, you can apply for an ITIN for tax filing purposes. Attach Form W-7 to your tax return. Once you receive DACA approval and an SSN, transition from ITIN to SSN and merge records. Having an ITIN and filing taxes during the waiting period shows proactive tax compliance.

How does DACA renewal affect my tax filing?

DACA renewal has no impact on tax filing. Continue using your SSN on tax returns throughout the renewal process. Even if there is a gap between EAD expiration and renewal approval, your SSN remains valid for tax purposes. File your returns on time regardless of DACA renewal status. If your renewal is denied, consult an immigration attorney about your options.

Can DACA recipients file taxes jointly with a spouse?

Yes. DACA recipients with SSNs can file Married Filing Jointly with any spouse (SSN or ITIN holder). If your spouse has an ITIN, filing jointly saves $3,000 to $12,000 per year compared to Married Filing Separately. Both EITC and all standard credits are available when at least one spouse has a valid SSN. See our guide on filing jointly with an ITIN spouse for complete details.

ITIN and DACA: What You Need to Know

Updated April 2026

Direct answer: DACA recipients with an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) qualify for an SSN and should use it instead of an ITIN. If you had an ITIN before DACA, notify the IRS to merge your tax records with your new SSN. Filing taxes with an ITIN before DACA approval demonstrates compliance. After DACA, you gain EITC eligibility worth up to $7,830.

Do DACA Recipients Need an ITIN or an SSN?

DACA recipients with an approved EAD (Employment Authorization Document, Form I-766) are eligible for a Social Security Number. An SSN is superior to an ITIN in every way: it authorizes employment, qualifies you for EITC (worth up to $7,830), enables Social Security benefit accrual, and is accepted by every financial institution. If you have DACA approval and an EAD, apply for an SSN at the Social Security Administration immediately. If your DACA application is still pending, you may need an ITIN for tax filing in the meantime. See our ITIN to SSN transition guide for the full process.

How Do You Transition From ITIN to SSN After DACA Approval?

Follow these 4 steps. Step 1: Apply for an SSN at your local SSA office with your EAD, passport or birth certificate, and Form SS-5. Step 2: Receive your SSN card by mail (2 to 4 weeks). Step 3: Send a letter to IRS at Austin, TX 73301-0057 requesting record merge. Include your name, ITIN, new SSN, and a copy of your Social Security card. Step 4: Update all financial institutions (banks, employers, credit card companies) with your new SSN. Stop using your ITIN immediately. The IRS merge takes 4 to 8 weeks. After the merge, all prior ITIN tax history appears under your SSN.

Should You File Taxes Before DACA Approval?

Yes. Filing taxes before DACA approval is recommended for 3 reasons. First, it demonstrates tax compliance, which supports your DACA application and any future immigration proceedings. Second, it keeps your ITIN active (ITINs expire after 3 years of non-use). Third, tax returns serve as evidence of continuous US presence. Use your ITIN to file Form 1040. Even if your income is below the filing threshold ($14,600 for single filers in 2026), filing creates a compliance record. Tax information is protected under IRC Section 6103 and cannot be shared with immigration authorities for enforcement. See our ITIN and immigration guide for how tax compliance supports immigration applications.

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What Tax Credits Become Available After DACA and SSN?

After receiving an SSN through DACA, you gain access to credits unavailable to ITIN holders. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is the biggest: up to $7,830 for families with 3+ qualifying children, $6,960 for 2 children, $4,213 for 1 child, and $632 for no children in 2026. You also gain full Child Tax Credit eligibility ($2,000 per qualifying child), American Opportunity Tax Credit ($2,500 per student), Lifetime Learning Credit ($2,000), and all education-related deductions. For a family earning $40,000 with 2 children, the combined value of newly available credits exceeds $10,000 annually. You can amend up to 3 prior years of returns to claim EITC for years when you had work authorization.

Does Tax Filing With an ITIN Affect Immigration Status?

No. Tax filing does not affect immigration status positively or negatively. The IRS operates independently from immigration enforcement agencies. IRC Section 6103 prohibits the IRS from sharing individual tax return information with other agencies for non-tax purposes. Filing taxes demonstrates good faith tax compliance, which immigration courts and USCIS view favorably. Many immigration attorneys recommend consistent tax filing as evidence of good moral character, community ties, and responsible civic behavior. This applies to DACA applicants, green card applicants, and anyone in immigration proceedings.

What If DACA Is Not Renewed or Expires?

If your DACA status and EAD expire, your SSN remains valid for tax filing purposes. Continue using your SSN on tax returns. Do not switch back to your ITIN. Your work authorization ends when your EAD expires, but your tax filing obligation continues if you have US-source income. Consult an immigration attorney about your options. Keep filing tax returns to maintain your compliance record, which supports any future immigration applications. If you later regain DACA or obtain another form of status, your SSN and tax history remain intact. Your ITIN stays permanently inactive once merged with an SSN.

Can DACA Recipients File Jointly With a Spouse?

Yes. DACA recipients with SSNs can file Married Filing Jointly with any spouse. If your spouse has an ITIN, MFJ saves $3,000 to $12,000 per year compared to MFS. Both EITC and all standard credits are available. If your spouse does not have an ITIN yet, they can apply using Form W-7 attached to your joint return. See our married filing jointly guide for complete savings calculations.

Government Sources

DACA EAD and SSN eligibility per USCIS DACA guidelines. SSN application per SSA Form SS-5 instructions. Tax return confidentiality per IRC Section 6103. EITC eligibility per IRC Section 32. IRS ITIN-to-SSN merge procedures per IRS Publication 1915. Information current as of April 2026.

ITIN and DACA: Frequently Asked Questions

DACA recipients with an approved Employment Authorization Document (EAD) are eligible for a Social Security Number and should apply for one through the SSA. If you had an ITIN before receiving DACA, stop using your ITIN and switch to your SSN. If you are awaiting DACA approval and do not yet have an EAD, you may still need an ITIN for tax filing purposes.

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