Hi,

I would like to put an Admob site on my mobile application to make some money. However, Admob requires Tax ID and I am a F-1 student (non-resident) in U.S. and I am not sure whether it's legal for me to earn money from Admob? (Since F-1 students are not allowed to work or make money in U.S.). Also, if it's legal, since I don't have a Tax ID currently, can I use my SSN as Tax ID with Admob instead?

Thanks a lot for answering!

:)

Your SSN IS your tax ID for this purpose.

Doing this is a technical violation of your visa, because Google WILL send you a Form 1099-MISC if the amount earned exceeds $600 per year. I have several clients who ave gotten 1099s in excess of $10,000 from Google for Adsense work.

I doubt that the USCIS would worry about a few hundred dollars, but 109s in excess of $10K WILL get someone's attention at the USCIS.

Now, the IRS does not care about your visa; all they want is for the proper forms to be filed and the appropriate tax be paid.

A phone call to an immigration attorney is probably in order here.