Can immigrants file taxes in the United States? Yes — and you should. Whether you have a Social Security number, an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), or neither one yet, you should file a federal tax return. Filing taxes helps you stay in good standing, claim tax credits you deserve, and build a record that can help your future.
At Quetzal Taxes in Greenville, SC, we’ve helped immigrants file taxes for over 20 years. We speak English and Spanish, and we will guide you through the process step by step. This guide covers everything you need to know about immigration and taxes — who needs to file, how to file without a Social Security number, what tax benefits are available to you, and what your rights are.
Note: Important: Quetzal Taxes is a tax preparation firm — not a law firm. Nothing in this guide is legal or immigration advice. For questions about your immigration case, please talk to a licensed immigration attorney.
Who Needs to File a Tax Return?
If you earn income in the United States, you likely need to file a federal tax return — no matter your legal status. Here’s a quick breakdown:
U.S. citizens and green card holders must report all worldwide income to the IRS and file Form 1040 every year.
Visa holders (H-1B, L-1, O-1, and others) working in the U.S. are usually treated as resident aliens for tax purposes. That means you file Form 1040 and report all income, just like a U.S. citizen. You may also qualify for tax credits.
DACA recipients with a valid Social Security number file taxes the same way any other taxpayer does.
Nonresident aliens — including some F-1 students and J-1 scholars — are taxed only on income earned in the U.S. They file Form 1040-NR. Some nonresident aliens are exempt from paying Social Security and Medicare taxes on their wages.
Undocumented immigrants who earn income in the U.S. are still required to pay federal, state, and local taxes. If you don’t have a Social Security number, you can apply for an ITIN and use it to file your federal tax return.
The IRS does not ask about your nationality or legal status when you file. Their job is to collect taxes — not to check your immigration status.
How to File Taxes Without a Social Security Number
You don’t need a Social Security number to file a federal tax return. Millions of people file every year using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead.
What Is an ITIN?
An ITIN is a 9-digit number the IRS gives you for tax purposes only. It does not give you permission to work or change your immigration status. It is simply a taxpayer identification number so you can file your income tax return and pay what you owe (or claim a refund).
How to Get an ITIN
To apply for an ITIN, you need to fill out IRS Form W-7 and send it to the IRS with a completed federal tax return and documents that prove your identity and foreign status.
You can submit your ITIN application:
- By mail: Send Form W-7, your tax return, and your original ID documents (or certified copies) to the IRS
- In person through a Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA): A CAA can verify your documents right in the office, so you don’t have to mail your passport or other original IDs to the IRS
Note: Quetzal Taxes is working to confirm our current IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) status. If confirmed, we can verify your identity documents on-site — saving you the risk of mailing your passport. Ask us for an update when you visit.
ITIN applications usually take 7 to 11 weeks to process. If your ITIN has expired, you’ll need to renew it by submitting Form W-7 again before you file.
Need help? Our team handles ITIN and W-7 applications every day. We walk you through the forms, check your documents, and file your tax return — all in one visit.
Filing Your Tax Return With an ITIN
Once you have your ITIN, you enter it in the Social Security number space on your federal tax return. Then you fill out the rest of the return just like any other taxpayer. You report your income, claim any tax credits you qualify for, and submit the return to the IRS.
If your employer withholds taxes from your paycheck, you may be owed a refund. Filing is the only way to get that money back.
Benefits of Filing Taxes as an Immigrant
Filing your federal tax return does more than keep you in compliance. It can help you in several important ways.
Build a Tax Filing History
Every tax return you file creates a record with the IRS. That record shows you followed the law and paid your taxes. If you ever apply for a green card, citizenship, or other immigration benefit, a solid tax filing history works in your favor. USCIS often asks for tax transcripts as part of the application process.
Show Good Moral Character
Filing taxes and paying what you owe is one way to show good moral character — a factor in many immigration applications, including naturalization. Not filing can hurt your case.
Claim Tax Credits You Deserve
Even if you file with an ITIN, you may be eligible for certain tax credits that lower your tax bill or put money back in your pocket:
- Child Tax Credit (CTC) — If your qualifying children have Social Security numbers, you may be able to claim this credit. The eligibility rules depend on your filing status and income.
- Credit for Other Dependents — If you support family members who don’t qualify for the CTC, this credit may help.
- Child and Dependent Care Credit — If you pay for childcare so you can work, this credit can help cover those costs.
Note: The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) requires a valid Social Security number for you, your spouse, and any qualifying children. ITIN filers are not eligible for the EITC. However, if someone in your household later gets a Social Security number, you may be able to claim the EITC on a future or amended return.
Avoid Penalties
If you owe federal taxes and don’t file, the IRS can charge penalties and interest. Filing on time — even if you can’t pay the full amount — is always better than not filing at all. We can help you figure out your options if you owe.
Protect Your Future
Tax compliance is one of the strongest things you can do to protect your future in the United States. Undocumented immigrants who file taxes build a paper trail that could matter if laws change down the road. Past proposals for legal status have often required proof of tax payment.
Immigrants Pay Billions in Taxes Every Year
There’s a common myth that undocumented immigrants don’t pay taxes. The numbers tell a different story:
- In 2022, undocumented immigrants paid $96.7 billion in federal, state, and local taxes — $59.4 billion to the federal government and $37.3 billion to state and local governments. That includes income taxes, payroll taxes, property taxes, and sales taxes.
- More than a third of those tax dollars went toward Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment insurance — programs these workers are not eligible to receive benefits from.
- In 40 states, undocumented immigrants paid higher effective state and local tax rates than the top 1% of earners in those states. The average rate was 8.9%.
Filing taxes is not just the right thing to do — it’s something millions of immigrants already do every year.
Common Myths About Immigration and Taxes
A lot of fear around filing comes from bad information. Let’s clear up the most common myths.
Myth: “Filing taxes will get me deported.”
Fact: Filing a tax return does not put you on a deportation list. The IRS collects taxes — that is their job. See the section below on IRS data sharing for the most current information on what the IRS shares and doesn’t share with immigration agencies.
Myth: “I don’t earn enough to file.”
Fact: Even if your income is low, filing a federal tax return can help you. You might qualify for tax credits that give you a refund. And having a tax filing history on record is a benefit in itself — it shows you followed the rules.
Myth: “I need a Social Security number to file.”
Fact: No. You can file a federal tax return with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Millions of taxpayers do this every year. We help people apply for an ITIN and file their return at the same time.
Myth: “Filing taxes is too hard for immigrants.”
Fact: It doesn’t have to be. At Quetzal Taxes, we’ve helped immigrants in Greenville file their taxes for more than 20 years. We are bilingual, we know the forms, and we handle everything for you. Bring your documents — we take care of the rest. Check our What to Bring page to get ready.
Will the IRS Share My Information With Immigration?
This is the question many immigrants are asking right now — and it’s an important one. Here’s what we know as of early 2026:
The background: For decades, the IRS kept taxpayer information private from immigration enforcement agencies. Federal law — specifically Section 6103 of the tax code — makes tax returns and taxpayer data confidential. The IRS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, operated separately.
What changed: In April 2025, the IRS and ICE signed an agreement that allows ICE to request names and addresses of certain taxpayers — specifically people with final deportation orders or under federal criminal investigation. This was the first time the IRS formally agreed to share taxpayer data for immigration enforcement.
Where things stand now: Multiple federal courts have weighed in, and the situation is actively being decided in the courts. Two federal judges have blocked the IRS from sharing further data and ordered ICE not to use data it already received. A separate appeals court declined to block the agreement. These rulings conflict with each other, and the case may go to the Supreme Court.
What this means for you: The legal situation is changing and may look different by the time you read this. We are not immigration attorneys, and we cannot tell you what will happen next. What we can tell you is this:
- Filing taxes is still required by law if you earn income in the U.S.
- Not filing does not make you invisible to the government — it just means you lose the benefits of having a tax record
- If you have concerns, talk to a licensed immigration attorney about your specific situation before making a decision
We believe filing taxes is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself and your family. But we also respect that this is a personal decision, and we want you to have the facts.
We Answer Your Questions
Can I file taxes without a Social Security number?
Yes. You can file a federal tax return using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Our team at Quetzal Taxes helps you apply for your ITIN and prepare your income tax return at the same time — all in one office visit in Greenville.
What is the difference between an ITIN and a Social Security number?
A Social Security number (SSN) is for people who have permission to work in the U.S. An ITIN is a taxpayer identification number for people who need to file taxes but are not eligible for an SSN. Both let you file a federal tax return. The difference is that an ITIN does not give you work permission or make you eligible for Social Security benefits.
Can filing taxes help my immigration case?
In many cases, yes. A consistent tax filing history shows good moral character and can help with green card, citizenship, and other immigration applications. USCIS often asks for tax transcripts when you apply. Not filing taxes can hurt your case. For specific legal advice, talk to an immigration attorney.
What happens if I haven’t filed taxes in previous years?
You can still file past-due returns. The IRS does not have a time limit on filing old returns, but there are penalties and interest for late filing. The sooner you catch up, the less you’ll owe in extra fees. We prepare individual tax returns for current and prior years. Come see us, and we’ll help you get caught up.
What tax credits can immigrants claim?
That depends on your filing status, income, and whether you file with an SSN or ITIN. Common tax credits include the Child Tax Credit (if your qualifying children have SSNs), the Credit for Other Dependents, and the Child and Dependent Care Credit. ITIN filers are not eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit. We review your full situation and make sure you claim every credit you qualify for.
Ready to File Your Taxes?
You don’t have to do this alone. Our team at Quetzal Taxes in Greenville, SC, has been helping immigrants file their taxes for over 20 years. We speak English and Spanish, we handle ITIN applications, and we take the stress out of tax season.
Call +1 (864) 246-1117 or contact us to set up your visit. We’re open Monday through Saturday, 9 AM to 6 PM (closed Wednesdays and Sundays). Walk-ins are welcome — or schedule ahead to save time.
Check our FAQ page for more answers, or visit our about page to learn more about our team.