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The Daily Insight

Can an illegal immigrant get a tax identification number?

Author

Mia Ramsey

Published Feb 09, 2026

The Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a tax-processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to ensure that people—including undocumented immigrants—pay taxes even if they do not have a Social Security number and regardless of their immigration status.

Can you get deported for not doing taxes?

Under immigration law, an aggravated felony includes any offense that “(i) involves fraud or deceit in which the loss to the victim or victims exceeds $10,000; or (ii) tax evasion in which the revenue loss to the government exceeds $10,000.” …

What states offer driver’s licenses to illegal aliens?

State laws permitting this are on the books in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.

Will I get a stimulus check if I have ITIN number?

I file taxes with an ITIN, do I qualify for a stimulus check? Unfortunately, no. Migrants who use ITINs to file their taxes will not receive a stimulus check. You must have a Social Security number.

Do you have to file taxes if your spouse is an illegal alien?

Legal status does not affect filing status. A taxpayer married to an illegal alien must still file as a married individual. You are required to file a U.S. Federal income tax return or qualify to be listed on another individual’s tax return as a spouse or dependent, you must have either a valid SSN or an ITIN.

Can an undocumented immigrant file a federal tax return?

Undocumented immigrants generally do not need to fear that their tax information will be shared with immigration enforcement officials.

Can a non-resident alien file a tax return?

The ITIN is a social security number alternative used by the IRS to account for tax returns and tax payments of resident and non-resident aliens, regardless of immigration status. Many others do not file tax returns but have taxes withheld from their paychecks.

Are there any tax credits for illegal immigrants?

Taxpayers may be surprised to know that, prior to the enactment of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA), under certain conditions illegal aliens or undocumented immigrants could be claimed as a dependent on individual tax returns, which also allowed the taxpayers to claim various tax credits.