IRS Proposes Citizenship Question on Tax Forms
IRS plans to ask tax filers about citizenship status to combat illegal immigration benefits.
2 min read
The U.S. Treasury Department has proposed a new question on the IRS Form 1040, asking tax filers to disclose their citizenship status. The move aims to identify individuals who may be ineligible for Social Security numbers and instead use Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) to file taxes. The proposal is part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to prevent illegal immigrants from receiving taxpayer-funded benefits.
Estimated Savings and Legal Context
The administration estimates the new requirement could save taxpayers nearly $2 billion. The proposed question would ask filers to indicate whether they or their spouse, if filing jointly, are a U.S. citizen, national, or an alien lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. This initiative is intended to curb the use of ITINs by individuals who are not eligible for Social Security numbers.
Previous Efforts and Legal Challenges
This is not the first time the administration has sought to limit benefits for undocumented immigrants. In August, the Treasury Department proposed restrictions on the refundable portions of certain individual income tax credits, which could block between $700 million and $2.6 billion in credits for the 2026 tax year. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that these measures would end the abuse of the tax system and protect American taxpayers.
Impact on Legal Immigrants
The proposed credit restrictions may also affect immigrants who are authorized to work in the U.S., including those under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, individuals with Temporary Protected Status, and H-1B visa holders. These changes could have a significant impact on their ability to access certain benefits.
Legal and Data-Sharing Issues
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has sought access to tax records under a data-sharing agreement with the IRS. However, this move has been blocked by multiple courts. The Treasury and Homeland Security Departments established a process for ICE to request taxpayer information for criminal investigations in April 2025, but the legality of this process remains under scrutiny.
Source: Daily Wire
