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Ohio State is in the process of revising websites and program materials to accurately reflect compliance with the law. While this work occurs, language referencing protected class status or other activities prohibited by Ohio Senate Bill 1 may still appear in some places. However, all programs and activities are being administered in compliance with federal and state law.

Social Security Number

Applying for a Social Security number

Please follow these steps if you need to apply for a Social Security number (SSN):

  1. Print the Employment Verification Letter (SSN)(EVL) form and take it to your Ohio State employer for their signature (students on CPT will need their CPT offer letter and the CPT-endorsed I-20 but not the EVL)
    • The Social Security Administration is still requiring wet signatures on the EVL – digital signatures will not be accepted
  2. Drop off your Employment Verification Letter for signature at the Office of International Affairs
    • EVLs can be dropped off using the external dropbox outside the Office of International Affairs inside Enarson Classroom Building. No appointment is necessary.
  3. Schedule an appointment to pick up the EVL once the Office of International Affairs has emailed you to confirm it is ready for pickup.
  4. Complete the SSN application online. When you complete the form online, you will be provided a control number to print or write down and provide to the SSA when you submit your documents.
  5. SSA requires you to make an appointment. If you are applying for an SSN for the first time, you must make an appointment immediately after you submit the SSN application and receive the Control Number. The appointment booking link is special and will only be made available after you have submitted the SSN application. Please note that the Social Security office in downtown Columbus is experiencing delays of up to two months for an available appointment.
  6. Go to the SSA Office during your scheduled appointment time with the following documents:
    • Passport
    • I-94
    • I-20 or DS-2019
    • Completed Employment Verification Letter (only if employment is on-campus; not required for CPT)
    • Control Number you received when completing the SSN application.
    • CPT job offer letter and CPT-endorsed I-20 (if approved for off-campus CPT employment)

Social Security Administration Office Locations:

You can begin employment without having an SSN. Once you have received your SSN card, please report this number to:

  • Sprintax: Log in to your Sprintax profile and update your number.  You will need to go through your entire Sprintax profile because the system may require you to upload new forms.
  • Ohio State Human Resources:
    • If you are NOT a student employee, log into your Ohio State Workday account and update your number. If you have any questions, email HRConnection@osu.edu.
    • If you are a student employee, go to the Change of Record form for students on the Registrar’s website. Log in with your Ohio State credentials. Complete the form to change your SSN and upload any supporting documentation verifying the correct information. This change of SSN on the Registrar’s website will feed over to your Workday HR profile. 

Identity theft and your Social Security number

Be careful with your Social Security card and number. Show your card to your employer when you start a job so your records are correct. Provide your Social Security number to your financial institution(s) for tax reporting. Keep your card and any other document that shows your Social Security number in a safe place. DO NOT routinely carry your card or other documents that display your number.

Tax information

Each year, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires that all workers file a tax return due on April 15 of the following year. As a nonresident alien, you are also required to file a tax return, which is sometimes called Form 1040NR or Form 1040NR-EZ. 

Form 1042-S

To complete your tax return, you will need some basic information about your employer and detailed information about how much income you earned over the past year. As a nonresident alien, you will receive this information through Form 1042-S; U.S. citizens receive this information through Form W-2.

Ohio State is required to furnish your yearly 1042-S by March 15 of the following year. You may elect to receive your 1042-S online through Sprintax. Otherwise, you will receive a copy of Form 1042-S by U.S. mail.

Some nonresident aliens may receive both a W-2 and a 1042-S. If this applies to you, then you may refer to W-2 Online for instructions on how you can access your W-2 through the ePayroll system.

Sprintax

As a foreign national, you may already know how daunting understanding your tax obligations can be. That's why the university has provided you with a program called Sprintax Calculus.  Sprintax Calculus is a web-based computer program that provides a "beginning to end" tax compliance solution.  Once the university determines that you are a nonresident alien, you will receive an activation email to your osu.edu email address directing you to the Sprintax Calculus website.  After asking a few simple questions, the Sprintax Calculus program will determine your taxation.

For detailed information regarding Nonresident Alien Taxation and Sprintax Calculus,  visit  the Payroll’s Nonresident Alien Taxation website or contact the Tax Office at tax@osu.edu. Learn more about filing taxes.