question about SSN

The social security tax is non-refundable. If a foreign national pays the tax, but is later ineligible for benefits, a refund is unavailable.

See: The ABC's Of Immigration - Understanding Social Security Tax, Totalization Agreements and Your Benefits, by Steven Weiser

Condor

Andy comments:

I suggest you call the SS office -- there will be a toll-free contact number on the website

A local office may be able to help, but the website contact people are probly more used to a wider varietyy of inquiries.

I have used it in the past, and found the personnel there to be very helpful. Good luck.

Andy in Eureka, Texas

I concur with the above - with one exception: Tax Treaties. Some treaties give credit to the other country's system under certain circumstances.

Is there such a feature between US and Canada?

You dont have to be a citizen to qualify for US social security benefits, just have paid the taxes. The SS agency does not mail benefit checks outside the US. But in this era of global banking, thats a non-issue.

Definitely. Just check the IRS website at

See: "Your Payments While You Are Outside The United States"

Condor

I looked at publication 597, even before posting, but it doesn't talk about credit between countries for social security taxes. It only talks about social security benefits from Canada, that they are taxable in the US only for US residents (and I imagine US social security benefits are taxable in Canada only if a Canadian resident). If you want your US social security taxes to be sent to Canada and add to your Canadian credits, there must be some form to fill out.