Hi,
I am in F1 status and recently my wife joined me in F2 status. I learnt that she will need etiher SSN or Tax ID to buy Health Insurence. I know, she is not eligible for SSN, but I am not sure whether she can get Tax ID or not. So, any of you have been through this or have some idea, please suggest me.

Higlander,
She cannot have either SSN or Tax ID. Purpose of F2 is tatally dpendent on F1. So you have to buy a family insurance plan including her or kids if you have any.
Witout F1's support F2 cannot do anything in USA other than illegal.

Yes, she is entitled to get TAX-ID coz you have to file tax no matter what your status is and she has to be accompanied too for which TAX-ID is must. Go to your nearest IRS office and you should not be having any problem geting it. It takes about 7/8 weeks.

Jira is correct!
She is entitled to a Tax ID even if she is not eligible for SSN. My children had Tax IDs although they were not eligible for SSN.

As Jira suggests, you should go to an IRS office or even contact them via phone and find out what you need to submit.

You need an ITIN, not a Tax ID (TIN, this is only for the employer).

***********************
Who needs an ITIN?
IRS issues ITINs to foreign nationals and others who have federal tax reporting or filing requirements and do not qualify for SSNs. A non-resident alien individual not eligible for an SSN, who is required to file a U.S. tax return only to claim a refund of tax under the provisions of a U.S. tax treaty, needs an ITIN.
Examples of individuals who need ITINs include:

* Non-resident alien filing a U.S. tax return and not eligible for an SSN
* U.S. resident alien (based on days present in the United States) filing a U.S. tax return and not eligible for an SSN
* Dependent or spouse of a U.S. citizen/resident alien
* Dependent or spouse of a non-resident alien visa holder
***************************

How to apply info located at http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.html#who

Hope it helps.

Jira and Suna
I think you both ar ewrong, TAX ID (TIN) is for only those who have some income and have to file taxes. Being F2 no body can have income "legally", so there is no quesiton of TIN for F2. BUt KG4....is right one can have ITIN, just for filing tax form (even without any income).
Highlander, best way to clarify everyting is to go and take appointment with your international student advisor in school, dont just follow and believe whatever is in unauthentic SAJHA.COM. This site is to pour all your B......T

crishna,
for your kind notification, please do not address me in this forum. I am not here to be in some kind of hot arguement or callous debate. It is nothing wrong to say ' I do not know' rather than jotting down your BS.

KG4MVP,

I do not know wheather ITIN can be issued for the same purpose but TIN can be obtained for filing the taxes for those who are not qualified to obtain SSN. Yes, you are right, TIN is mainly for business tax purpose. I got TIN for my spouse some years ago through local IRS office. It was called TIN then. I may be wrong if they start calling ITIN.

Thanks Guys!!