Money, taxes and credit for immigrant families: the complete guide

This guide is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Tax rules depend on your own situation. Where a rule has an exception, a deadline or a risk, we say so in the same section. Only a lawyer or a DOJ accredited representative can give you immigration legal advice.

On this page

• Where do I start?
• What is an ITIN, and do I need one?
• How do I get or renew an ITIN?
• Do I have to file taxes, and where can I file for free?
• What if I work for myself or get paid in cash?
• How do I get CalEITC and the Young Child Tax Credit?
• Is my tax information shared with immigration?
• How do I open a bank account without a Social Security number?
• How do I build credit with an ITIN or no number?
• What is a lending circle, and is it safe?
• How do I check and fix my credit report?
• How do I spot money, tax and credit scams?
• How do I protect my money if my family is separated?
• What changed in 2025 and 2026?
• Who can help for free in the Bay Area?
• Questions people ask

Where do I start?

Start with the step that brings money in or keeps it safe. For most families, that means three things, in this order:

1. Get your tax number sorted out. If you have no Social Security number, you need an ITIN to file taxes and to claim California credits. Many banks and lenders also accept an ITIN.
2. File your taxes with free help. Filing is how you get CalEITC and the Young Child Tax Credit. For a family with low pay, that can mean thousands of dollars.
3. Put your money in a safe account, then build credit. A bank or credit union account protects your cash and is the base for building credit.

Before you file anything, read Is my tax information shared with immigration? We won't pretend there is no risk. You deserve the facts and good advice before you decide.

Who this guide is for. People in California who file or want to file taxes with an ITIN, people with DACA or another work permit who are new to taxes and credit, people paid in cash, and people who work for themselves. Families with members of different statuses can use every part of it.

What it does not cover. Benefits like CalFresh and Medi-Cal are on Will using benefits like CalFresh hurt my immigration case? Wages you are owed are on Your rights at work: the complete guide. Fees for immigration forms are on Can I get money to pay for immigration fees?

If money feels tight and the rules feel heavy, you are not alone. Pick one step from this list and do it this week.

What is an ITIN, and do I need one?

An ITIN is a tax number from the IRS for people who need to file U.S. taxes but cannot get a Social Security number. It is nine digits long. The IRS issues it regardless of immigration status.

What an ITIN does:

• Lets you file a federal tax return and pay taxes you owe
• Lets you file a California return and claim California credits like CalEITC
• Goes on your tax forms wherever a form asks for a Social Security number
• Is accepted by some banks and credit unions to open accounts, and by some lenders for credit cards or loans

What an ITIN does not do:

• It does not give you permission to work
• It does not give or change immigration status
• It does not qualify you for Social Security benefits
• It does not qualify you for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit
• It is not valid identification outside the federal tax system

Do you need one? You may if you have income to report and no Social Security number, or if your spouse or child needs to be on your tax return and cannot get a Social Security number. If you have a work permit, you can usually get a Social Security number instead. The Social Security Administration says only noncitizens with permission to work from the Department of Homeland Security can get a regular Social Security number. Nonwork numbers are issued only for limited reasons.

ITIN and EIN are different. An EIN is a number for a business. It does not replace an ITIN for your personal taxes. See How do I get an EIN for my business? below, and How to get or renew an ITIN, and how it differs from an EIN or SSN for the full comparison.

How do I get or renew an ITIN?

Apply with IRS Form W-7, usually attached to your federal tax return. You can do it for free. Here is how.

Step 1. Gather your documents. The IRS accepts 13 kinds of documents. A current passport is the only one that works by itself. Otherwise you need at least two documents, and one must have a photo. Children under 14 (under 18 for students) do not need the photo.

Documents that prove both who you are and that you are from another country include:

• Passport
• National ID card
• Foreign voter card
• Foreign military ID
• Civil birth certificate (counts for foreign status only if it is from another country)
• Visa, or a photo ID from USCIS
• Medical records, for children under 6, and school records, for students

A U.S. or foreign driver's license, a U.S. state ID, or a U.S. military ID proves who you are but not where you are from.

The rules on copies are strict. You must send originals or copies certified by the agency that issued them. The IRS does not accept notarized copies, with a narrow exception for military families. Documents must be current. Birth certificates do not expire. Children and other dependents generally must also prove they live in the United States.

Step 2. Pick a free way to apply.

• IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC). Free. Staff check your documents and hand them back at the appointment, so you never mail your passport. Call 844-545-5640 for an appointment (TTY 800-829-4059). Phone interpreters are available. California centers with ITIN document review include San Jose, San Francisco and Oakland. Getting an appointment may take several weeks, so call early.
• VITA site with ITIN services. Free. Some volunteer tax sites have a Certifying Acceptance Agent who can complete your W-7 and may prepare your return for free if you qualify. Ask when you call.
• Private acceptance agents. They charge fees, and fees vary. A basic acceptance agent cannot check most original documents, so you may still have to mail them.
• By mail. Internal Revenue Service, Austin Service Center, ITIN Operation, P.O. Box 149342, Austin, TX 78714-9342. You mail your original documents, so use this only if you must.

Step 3. Wait, and keep your copies. The IRS says to allow 7 weeks, or 9 to 11 weeks from January 15 to April 30. If you mailed documents, the IRS says it returns them within 60 days. Keep a copy of everything you sent.

On the W-7 itself: leave the Social Security number space blank on your tax return. The IRS writes your new ITIN in.

When does an ITIN expire?

An ITIN expires if you do not use it on a federal tax return for three tax years in a row. It expires on December 31 after the third year. You only need to renew if you need it for a federal return. Renew with Form W-7 and check the renewal box. Renewals generally must include a federal tax return unless an exception applies.

If you file with an expired ITIN, the IRS says processing may be delayed and some credits may not be allowed until it is renewed. Check your ITIN before tax season. A free tax helper can tell you.

What happens next. Your ITIN letter arrives by mail. Keep it with your important papers. Use the same ITIN every year. Worried about applying? Read Is my tax information shared with immigration? first.

Do I have to file taxes, and where can I file for free?

If you earn enough, the law requires you to file, whatever your status. The IRS tool Do I need to file a tax return? can tell you, and so can a free tax helper. One clear rule: if you work for yourself and your net self employment earnings are $400 or more, you must file a federal return (source).

Even when you do not have to file, filing a California return can bring money back. You cannot get CalEITC or the Young Child Tax Credit without one.

Why file:

• To get credits you earned. California's credits can be paid to you even if you owe no tax.
• To get back taxes taken from your pay. If money was withheld, filing is how you ask for a refund.
• To have a record. A steady record of filing can help when you rent, borrow or apply for a loan.

Not filing has risks too. If you must file and do not, you can miss refunds and credits. If you owe tax, the IRS charges a late filing penalty of 5% of the unpaid tax for each month or part of a month the return is late, up to 25% (IRS). California's late filing penalty also starts at 5% a month of the amount due, up to 25%, and if the Franchise Tax Board sends you a demand to file, a penalty can apply even when you are owed a refund (FTB). Ask a tax helper what could happen in your case. For whether filing could affect an immigration case, ask an immigration lawyer. See Is my tax information shared with immigration?

Where to file for free

• VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). IRS certified volunteers prepare basic returns for free. The IRS uses about $70,244 a year as a guide for who it serves, but there is no strict program wide limit. Find a site with the IRS VITA locator or call 800-906-9887. Ask if they file with an ITIN.
• Free ITIN tax sites in the Bay Area. United Way Bay Area lists free sites that help ITIN filers, by appointment. Examples: Puente de la Costa Sur in Pescadero (650-879-1691), Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County (taxez@ccscc.org) and West Valley Community Services in Cupertino (408-255-8078). Call to confirm.
• CalFile. The Franchise Tax Board's free online system for California returns. For 2025 returns, it allowed CalEITC, the Young Child Tax Credit and the Foster Youth Tax Credit. If you claim CalEITC on CalFile, you must upload a PDF of your federal return.

Deadline. Most people had to file their 2025 returns by April 15, 2026. Missed it? You can still file. The Franchise Tax Board says you can generally claim CalEITC for up to four earlier years by filing or amending a state return.

What to bring: see the Tax appointment checklist.

Want someone you trust to see your tax records? IRS Form 8821 lets a person or group see your tax information without representing you. Form 2848 lets an eligible representative, including certain family members, act for you with the IRS. Ask a free tax helper which fits.

What if I work for myself or get paid in cash?

Your income still counts, and you can still file with an ITIN. If you work for yourself, as an independent contractor or in gig or part time work of your own, the IRS calls that self employment. Cash pay can still be income you need to report.

The basic rules (federal):

• File if you earn $400 or more in net self employment earnings in a year.
• Report your business income and costs on Schedule C. Report self employment tax on Schedule SE. Both go with Form 1040.
• Self employment tax is 15.3%: 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare. It applies at any age. You pay it with your ITIN or Social Security number. You can deduct the employer half of it.
• Who owes it. The IRS says a resident alien owes self employment tax under the same rules as a citizen, and a nonresident alien generally does not (IRS). "Resident" here is a tax term, not an immigration status. A tax helper can tell you which one you are.
• An example. If you made $16,000 after business costs, self employment tax would be about $2,261 ($16,000 × 0.9235 × 0.153). Income tax may be owed on top of that. A tax helper will figure out your real numbers.

Even though you pay into Social Security with an ITIN, the ITIN itself does not qualify you for Social Security benefits.

Estimated payments. If you expect to owe $1,000 or more in federal tax for the year, you generally must pay during the year, not only in April (source). You can owe a penalty even if you end up with a refund. For 2026 income, federal payments are due April 15, June 15 and September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027. California asks for estimated payments if you expect to owe $500 or more ($250 if married filing separately) (source). Use your ITIN wherever the voucher asks for a Social Security number. The IRS says you can make estimated payments with an expired ITIN before you renew it.

Forms clients may give you:

• Form W-9. A business that pays you may ask for this. If you have an ITIN and cannot get a Social Security number, your ITIN goes on it.
• Form 1099-NEC. For tax years after 2025, businesses generally send it when they pay you $2,000 or more in a year (source).
• Form 1099-K. Payment apps and card processors send it when you get over $20,000 in more than 200 transactions (source). You must report your income with or without any form.

If you are paid in cash by an employer, you may be an employee, not self employed. California has strict rules about who counts as a contractor. See Your rights at work: the complete guide. For CalEITC, wages count only if they are subject to California wage withholding, and earnings from self employment can count too (Revenue and Taxation Code 17052). Whether your cash pay counts depends on how it is reported. Ask a free tax preparer before you file.

Step by step detail is on How to pay taxes on self employment income with an ITIN. Working without a work permit raises other questions. See How to earn money working for yourself without a work permit.

How do I get an EIN for my business?

An EIN is a free business tax number from the IRS. Never pay a fee for one. Some websites charge for it. Those are not the IRS.

You need an EIN if you hire employees or run your business as a corporation or partnership, among other reasons. To apply online, the "responsible party" must have a Social Security number or an ITIN. The online system gives you an EIN in minutes during its open hours. You can also fax Form SS-4 to 855-641-6935 and get the number in about 4 business days. For an LLC or corporation, form it with the state first. See How to start a business without a Social Security number.

How do I get CalEITC and the Young Child Tax Credit?

File a California tax return and attach Form FTB 3514. That one form covers all three California credits. You can claim them with an ITIN.

You may qualify for CalEITC for 2025 if all of these are true:

• You, your spouse if you file jointly, and each child you claim have a valid ITIN or Social Security number. An adoption number (ATIN) does not count.
• You were at least 18 at the end of the year, or you have a qualifying child.
• California was your main home for more than half the year.
• Your earned income and your federal adjusted gross income are each $32,900 or less (source).
• Your investment income is $4,814 or less (source).

Earned income means wages from a job where California tax rules apply, money from your own work after business costs, and in most cases In Home Supportive Services pay.

Young Child Tax Credit. Up to $1,189 per return if you qualify for CalEITC and have a qualifying child under 6 at the end of the year (source). It starts to shrink when earned income is above $27,425 and ends above $32,900. With zero earned income or a business loss, you may still qualify for 2025 if your wages and your net loss are each $35,640 or less.

Foster Youth Tax Credit. Up to $1,189 if you qualify for CalEITC, were 18 to 25 at the end of the year, and were in California foster care at age 13 or older (source).

Married and filing separately? You can claim CalEITC only in limited cases: a qualifying child lived with you more than half the year, and you lived apart from your spouse for the last 6 months or are legally separated.

The federal EITC is different. You cannot get the federal Earned Income Tax Credit with an ITIN. Some flyers mix the two up.

What happens next. Choose direct deposit if you can. It is usually faster than a paper check, and it is one more reason to open an account. Amounts for the 2026 tax year, which you file in 2027, were not yet posted: on October 21, 2026, the Franchise Tax Board's CalEITC page still showed 2025 amounts only. Trust ftb.ca.gov or a free preparer over old flyers.

Full detail, including who counts as a qualifying child, is on CalEITC and the Young Child Tax Credit with an ITIN.

Is my tax information shared with immigration?

Some of it was. Courts are blocking most of that sharing right now, but the cases are not over. Here is the honest picture as of October 21, 2026.

The law. A federal law, section 6103 of the tax code, generally forbids IRS employees from releasing tax information. It has exceptions for criminal investigations that are not about taxes. One allows sharing with a court order. Another allows sharing some information on a written request that names the person and gives their address.

What happened:

• 2025: the IRS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) signed an agreement to share information for enforcing criminal immigration laws.
• ICE asked for the last known addresses of about 1.28 million people. The IRS gave ICE 47,289 addresses before courts stepped in.
• November 21, 2025: a federal court in Washington, D.C. stopped the IRS from sharing more tax information with ICE, except in strict compliance with the privacy law.
• February 5, 2026: a federal court in Massachusetts stopped ICE and the Department of Homeland Security from using tax information they got through the agreement.
• February 24, 2026: in a separate case, the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. refused to block the agreement itself. It said the tax law likely allows some address sharing.
• September 8, 2026: the same appeals court upheld the November order. It found the IRS process likely breaks the privacy law.
• October 7, 2026: the appeals court in Boston heard the government's appeal of the Massachusetts order. The appeal is pending: we found no decision as of October 21, 2026. Ask a legal clinic whether it has been decided.

What that means today: the IRS is under court order not to share except in strict compliance with the law, and ICE may not use what it already got. But the agreement still exists, the appeals are not finished, and thousands of addresses were already shared. No one can promise you zero risk.

California's tax agency. The Franchise Tax Board's privacy notice lists who it may share your information with: the IRS, other states' tax officials, California government agencies, third parties that help determine or collect tax, and your own representative (FTB 1131, rev. 10-2020). It does not name any immigration agency. FTB's privacy policy says it follows subpoenas, court orders and other government orders as the law allows (checked October 21, 2026). The court cases are about the IRS. If this matters for your decision, ask an immigration lawyer.

How to decide:

1. Talk to an immigration lawyer or DOJ accredited representative first, especially if you have a past deportation order, an arrest or an open immigration case. Ask: does filing, or not filing, change the risk for me or my family?
2. Then talk to a free tax helper about the return itself.
3. Keep your address and papers in order, and have a family plan. See Make a family preparedness plan.

Whatever you decide, decide with good advice, not with fear alone. The full record is on Is it safe to file taxes with an ITIN right now? If you have DACA, see also Can my DACA application information be shared with ICE?

How do I open a bank account without a Social Security number?

You can. Federal rules do not require a Social Security number to open a checking or savings account. The bank or credit union must check your name, date of birth, address and an ID number. For people who are not U.S. citizens, that number can be an ITIN, a passport number and country, or the number from another government photo ID.

Each bank decides which IDs it accepts. If one says no, another may say yes.

What to bring:

• A photo ID that has not expired. A passport, a California ID or driver's license, or a consular ID like the matrícula consular. See Get a California ID and Driver's license without papers.
• An ID number. Your ITIN, or your passport number. Without an ITIN or Social Security number, some banks may only offer an account that does not earn interest.
• Proof of address. For example, a bill with your name and address.
• Money to deposit. Usually $25 to $100 to open (source).

Getting a matrícula consular

The matrícula is an official ID from the Mexican government, and other countries offer similar consular IDs. You need an in person appointment, and it is valid five years. The 2026 fee listed by Mexican consulates is $41 (source). Confirm when you book.

East Palo Alto and all of San Mateo County are served by the Consulate General of Mexico in San Francisco, 532 Folsom Street. Santa Clara County is served by the consulate in San José. Book through MiConsulado at citas.sre.gob.mx or by phone or WhatsApp at 1-424-309-0009. Bring proof of nationality, a photo ID and proof of address in your name.

Finding a low cost account

Look for an account certified by Bank On. Its national standards include no overdraft fees, a monthly fee of $5 or less (or up to $10 if you can waive it two ways) and an opening deposit of $25 or less. The standards strongly recommend, but do not require, accepting ITINs and consular IDs, so ask. Certified accounts are listed at joinbankon.org. Some credit unions focus on immigrant communities.

Is my money safe there?

Yes, up to the limit. Money in an FDIC insured bank is covered up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category, at each bank (source). Coverage is automatic, and the FDIC says it is not limited to citizens and residents. Federally insured credit unions are covered the same way through the NCUA. Investments, stocks and crypto are not covered. Payment apps do not have the same insurance as banks.

What cash really costs

California caps what check cashers charge for payroll and government checks: 3% with a California driver's license or ID, 3.5% without, or $3, whichever is greater (source). They must post all fees.

That adds up. For example, at 3.5%, cashing an $800 check costs $28. Do that every two weeks for a year (26 checks) and it costs $728. A bank account with a $5 monthly fee costs $60 a year (source). Most prepaid cards also charge fees, and an unregistered card has fewer protections if it is lost or stolen.

If the bank says no

• Ask why, and ask which other IDs they accept.
• Try another bank or credit union.
• Ask for an account with no overdrafts. The CFPB says banks may rely less on past records for these, so you might qualify after a no.
• If you were turned down because of a checking report, the bank must send you a notice naming the company that made it. You can get a free copy and dispute mistakes in writing.

Complaints. State licensed banks, credit unions and check cashers: DFPI, 1-866-275-2677, with translation in more than 240 languages. National banks: the OCC, 1-800-613-6743. Any bank or financial company: the CFPB, (855) 411-2372.

Full detail is on Open a bank account with an ITIN or consular ID.

How do I build credit with an ITIN or no number?

You can start. Some banks and credit unions accept an ITIN in place of a Social Security number for credit cards and loans. Credit is built when your on time payments are reported to the three credit companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Why credit matters. Lenders, insurers, landlords, and phone, internet and utility companies may look at your credit report. Employers can look only if you agree. Good credit can mean lower costs and a yes instead of a no.

Starter tools that can build credit:

• Secured credit card. You put down a deposit, often $50 to $300, and that becomes your limit (source). Ask if the card reports to all three credit companies, and whether it can "graduate" to a regular card.
• Credit builder loan. Often from credit unions. The money, often $300 to $1,000, is locked in savings while you make payments over 6 to 24 months (source). Payments are reported, and you get the money at the end.
• Lending circle run by a nonprofit. See the next section.
• Store credit card. Often easier to get, with a low limit.

Things that do not build credit: paying with cash or debit cards, prepaid cards, and payday loans even when you pay on time. Buy here pay here car dealers often report only bad news. Rent and phone payments usually are not reported unless you pay a service to report them.

How to use credit so it helps you:

• Pay on time, every time. This matters most.
• Use little of your limit. Experts suggest staying at or below 30%. On a $300 limit, that is $90 or less (source).
• You do not need to carry a balance or pay interest to build credit. Pay it off.
• Apply only for credit you need. Many applications can look like trouble.
• If you miss a payment, get current and stay current.

If you get a Social Security number later, your history does not have to start over. Ask each lender and each credit company how to move your record to your new number.

Full detail is on Build credit without a Social Security number.

What is a lending circle, and is it safe?

A lending circle is a group of people who each pay the same amount every month, and each month one member gets the whole pot. Many families know it as a tanda, cundina or susu.

An informal tanda does not build credit. No one reports the payments to the credit companies. Join only with people you trust, and agree ahead of time on what happens if someone stops paying.

A nonprofit lending circle can build credit. Mission Asset Fund (MAF), a nonprofit, runs Lending Circles that work like a tanda with protections added:

• Groups of 6 to 12 people
• Loans of $300 to $2,400, with typical payments of $50 to $200 a month (source)
• 0% interest
• Online money classes
• Payments reported to all three credit companies

MAF's site does not say who is eligible (for example, with an ITIN or no number). Ask before you sign up (contact MAF).

MAF also offers 0% loans for some USCIS fees in California, and a Bay Area grant for some Dreamers working toward lawful status. See Can I get money to pay for immigration fees?

Questions to ask any lending circle:

• Do you report to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion?
• What ID or number do I need?
• Is there any fee or interest?
• What happens if I am late, or if someone else stops paying?

How do I check and fix my credit report?

Check your reports at least once a year. Errors happen, and they can cost you.

Get your free reports. AnnualCreditReport.com is the only site authorized for free reports, and you can get them every week. You can also call (877) 322-8228 or request them by mail. The free program asks for a Social Security number. Watch for fake sites and email links. The credit companies will not email you asking for your number.

Without a Social Security number, we found no official source that says how each credit company handles a request from someone with only an ITIN. Call the credit company and ask, or have a nonprofit credit counselor or your credit union help you ask.

Free scores. Many credit card companies and lenders show your score for free. Paid score services and "free trials" can turn into monthly fees.

Fixing a mistake:

1. Write to the credit company. Explain the error and include copies (not originals) of your proof. Send it by certified mail and keep copies.
2. Write to the company that reported the information too. It generally must investigate and respond within 30 days.
3. If the error is fixed, check that it stays fixed. If they keep the information, you can add a short statement explaining your side.
4. If the error may be identity theft, report it at IdentityTheft.gov.

Disputing errors is free. You never need to pay anyone to do it.

How do I spot money, tax and credit scams?

If someone wants money up front, wants payment in gift cards, or promises a result, stop. Scammers target immigrant families because they know people are worried and short on time.

Government scams. Federal and state agencies do not ask for payment or personal information by phone, text or email. Real government websites end in .gov. Never pay anyone with a gift card, money transfer, payment app or crypto because they say you owe the government. Hang up and call the agency at a number you look up yourself.

Tax scams. Watch for anyone who:

• Promises a bigger refund in exchange for a fee
• Charges you to get an ITIN, which you can get free
• Charges you for an EIN, which is always free
• Asks you to sign a blank return or will not give you a copy

Credit repair scams. A credit repair company in the U.S. cannot take your money until its work is done. No one can remove accurate, current bad information from your report. Warning signs include fees up front, promises to remove bad information, advice to dispute things that are true, and telling you not to contact the credit companies. You have three business days to cancel a credit repair contract. Anyone who offers a "new credit identity" or tells you to use an EIN in place of your own number is running a scam. These schemes often use stolen Social Security numbers.

Notario and immigration consultant scams. In the U.S., a notario is not a lawyer. Only attorneys and DOJ accredited representatives may give immigration legal advice. California immigration consultants may help fill in forms but may not give legal advice, tell you which form to use, or take money for a law or program that has not passed yet. You can cancel a consultant contract within 72 hours of signing. Check a lawyer with the State Bar at 800-843-9053, and a consultant with the Secretary of State search.

USCIS fees. USCIS does not take Western Union, MoneyGram, PayPal or gift cards for immigration fees, and it never asks you to pay a person by phone or email. Its filing fees cannot be refunded.

Where to report:

• Banking, lending, credit repair or debt collection: DFPI, 1-866-275-2677, or the CFPB, (855) 411-2372
• Immigration consultant or notario: the California Attorney General and your local District Attorney, or a free complaint to the State Bar, which does not ask about immigration status
• If you lost money, also contact your local police

More warning signs are on Warning signs of an immigration scam and What to do if a notario or immigration consultant cheated you.

How do I protect my money if my family is separated?

Plan now, while it is calm. If a family member could be detained or deported, a few papers can keep bills paid and money reachable.

Steps to take:

1. Make sure more than one trusted adult can reach the money. Talk with your bank about adding someone to an account or what papers it needs.
2. Sign a power of attorney. In California, a power of attorney must be dated and signed, and either notarized or signed by two qualified witnesses. The state has a standard form in Probate Code 4401. The person you name must act in your best interest, keep your money separate and keep records. Ask your bank ahead of time whether it will honor it. Under California law, a bank cannot refuse a valid power of attorney only because it is not on the bank's own form (Probate Code 4406). It can still refuse for other legal reasons, so ask now, not during an emergency.
3. Plan for your tax records. IRS Form 8821 lets someone see your tax information. Form 2848 lets an eligible representative, including certain family members, act for you with the IRS.
4. Plan for your car. The DMV's form REG 260 lets someone handle the paperwork to transfer your vehicle.
5. Set up online banking and automatic bill pay, and keep a list of your accounts and bills in a safe place someone you trust can find.

Mission Asset Fund offers a Financial Emergency Action Plan for Immigrants with checklists and templates. Full steps are on Make a family money plan in case of detention or deportation, and the bigger picture is on Make a family preparedness plan.

If this is already happening, see Emergency money help when a family member is detained.

What changed in 2025 and 2026?

Only confirmed changes are listed here. We checked each one on October 18 or 19, 2026.

• IRS and ICE data sharing. In 2025 the IRS and ICE signed an agreement to share some taxpayer information. The IRS gave ICE 47,289 addresses before courts stepped in. Court orders from November 21, 2025 and February 5, 2026 now limit sharing and use. The D.C. appeals court upheld the first order on September 8, 2026. The Boston appeals court heard the second case on October 7, 2026; that appeal is pending, with no decision found as of October 21, 2026. See Is my tax information shared with immigration?
• Public charge. A new federal final rule took effect September 18, 2026 (with USCIS guidance explaining how officers apply it). It removed the 2022 rules. If anyone in your home may apply for a green card, ask a lawyer before you change how you use benefits or credits.
• CFPB lending statement. On June 8, 2026, the CFPB said lenders may consider immigration status and named an ITIN as a possible sign of unlawful presence. It is not law, but some lenders may ask more questions.
• 1099 forms. For tax years after 2025, Form 1099-NEC is generally sent when a business pays you $2,000 or more. Payment apps send Form 1099-K over $20,000 in more than 200 transactions. You must report income either way.
• California credits for 2025. CalEITC reached up to $3,756, with income up to $32,900. The Young Child Tax Credit reached up to $1,189. Amounts for 2026 were not yet published on October 21, 2026.
• Federal Child Tax Credit (2025 returns). Up to $2,200 per child, with up to $1,700 refundable. Each child must have a Social Security number valid for work. So must you, or your spouse if you file jointly. A parent filing with only an ITIN, and no spouse with a valid Social Security number, cannot claim it (IRS, page updated September 21, 2026). A child with an ITIN may still count for the smaller Credit for Other Dependents. Ask a tax helper.
• New 1% tax on cash remittances. Since January 1, 2026, sending money abroad through a money transfer company and paying with cash, a money order or a cashier's check adds a 1% federal tax. It does not apply when the transfer is paid from a bank or credit union account, or with a U.S. debit or credit card (26 U.S.C. 4475). One more reason to open an account.
• Matrícula consular fee. Mexican consulates list $41 for 2026.

Other federal tax changes from 2025 include new deductions for tips and overtime. The IRS explains them on its One Big Beautiful Bill provisions page. Each has its own rules about who qualifies, so ask a tax helper before you count on them.

Who can help for free in the Bay Area?

Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

Taxes and ITINs

• VITA free tax help: IRS VITA locator or 800-906-9887. Ask if they file with an ITIN and help with Form W-7.
• United Way Bay Area free ITIN sites: Puente de la Costa Sur, Pescadero, 650-879-1691. Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, taxez@ccscc.org. West Valley Community Services, Cupertino, 408-255-8078. List (uwba.org)
• IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers: free ITIN document review by appointment, 844-545-5640. Centers include San Jose and San Francisco.
• CalEITC4Me: a multilingual site with a credit calculator and free tax help finder. caleitc4me.org. Some amounts on it may be from earlier years.

Banking, credit and complaints

• Mission Asset Fund: Lending Circles, 0% immigration fee loans and money planning tools. missionassetfund.org
• Bank On certified accounts: joinbankon.org
• DFPI (California): 1-866-275-2677, complaints about state licensed banks, credit unions, check cashers, lenders, credit repair and debt collectors.
• CFPB (federal): (855) 411-2372, complaints about banks, credit reports and lenders.

Immigration legal help (before you decide about filing)

• Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto: (650) 326-6440, 1861 Bay Road. Serves low income residents of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
• State funded nonprofits: Immigration services contractors (cdss.ca.gov). More on Free legal help in the Bay Area.

Everything else

• 211: dial 211 or 800-273-6222, or text your ZIP code to 898211. Free help finding local services. 211: free help finding local services

Questions people ask

Does an ITIN let me work legally? No. An ITIN is only for taxes. It does not give you permission to work or any immigration status. See What is an ITIN, and do I need one?

Can I get the federal Earned Income Tax Credit with an ITIN? No. But you can get California's CalEITC and Young Child Tax Credit with an ITIN. See How do I get CalEITC and the Young Child Tax Credit?

Is it safe to file taxes with an ITIN? Courts are blocking most IRS sharing with ICE right now, but the cases are not over and some addresses were already shared. Talk to an immigration lawyer first, then a tax helper. See Is it safe to file taxes with an ITIN right now?

Does it cost money to get an ITIN? No. It is free at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center or a VITA site with ITIN services. Private acceptance agents charge fees.

My ITIN expired. Can I still file? Yes, but renew it with Form W-7, usually sent with your return. Filing with an expired ITIN can delay your refund and some credits. See When does an ITIN expire?

I got a Social Security number. What happens to my ITIN? Stop using the ITIN. Tell the IRS in person or by letter to Internal Revenue Service, Austin, TX 73301-0057, with your name, address, ITIN and a copy of your Social Security card. Otherwise you may not get credit for all your wages and tax paid. Ask each lender and credit company to move your credit history to your new number.

Can I open a bank account with only a matrícula? Maybe. Federal rules allow a passport number or a government photo ID number in place of a Social Security number, but each bank decides what it accepts. Ask, and try another bank if one says no.

Is my money safe in a bank if I am undocumented? FDIC insurance covers up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category, at each insured bank, and it is not limited to citizens and residents (source).

Do tandas build credit? Not on their own, because no one reports the payments. A nonprofit lending circle that reports to the three credit companies can. See What is a lending circle, and is it safe?

Can I get a credit card with an ITIN? Some banks and credit unions accept an ITIN for credit cards and loans. A secured card is often the easiest place to start.

Someone offered me a "new credit identity." Is it legal? No. The FTC says promises of a new credit identity are a scam, often built on stolen Social Security numbers. Walk away.

Someone called and said I owe taxes and must pay today. What do I do? Hang up. Government agencies do not ask for payment by phone, text or email, and never by gift card. Call the agency at a number you find yourself.

Do I need to pay taxes during the year if I work for myself? If you expect to owe $1,000 or more in federal tax, generally yes, in four payments (source). See What if I work for myself or get paid in cash?

Can I get a loan to pay immigration fees? In California, Mission Asset Fund offers 0% loans for many USCIS fees. See Can I get money to pay for immigration fees?

Do I have to pay for an EIN? Never. An EIN from the IRS is free. Sites that charge are not the IRS.

Printables

Tax appointment checklist

Before you sign: questions for a bank, card or loan

Your work and your money matter. Every dollar you claim and every on time payment you make builds something for your family. Start with one step this week, and come back for the next one. We are with you, and may hope keep you steady.