International student without SSN and ITIN

[lolexball]

I recently received money from my family, but it's currently on hold, PayPal asks me for an SSN or ITIN. However, I am an international student living in the United States. At the moment I am not eligible for SSN because my college doesn't offer jobs and, I can't apply for ITIN either because I don't have any taxable income. For some reason, PayPal considered the transaction I received as payment for goods and services which is not true. I contacted customer services but they only suggest to submit an SSN or ITIN which I don't have and won't get any time soon. They can't reverse the payment either because it was sent from the PayPal account registered in Belarus, accounts in that region are for sending only and can't receive any money.     

Maybe somebody had a similar issue and found a solution. 

[sharpiemarker]

@lolexball 

Belarus can only send goods and services payments even if money is for personal purposes. If the money is on a tax hold, eventually 24% back up withholding will be deducted from the payments and if you want the 24% back up withholding deducted back, you can optionally claim the tax paid back on a US tax return. Or contact customer services about whether or not you are a reportable person for tax purposes.

https://www.paypal.com/us/smarthelp/contact-us      

Scroll down to click “Message Us” or “Call Us” option on the bottom.

Or reach out to PayPal at Facebook or Twitter:    

PayPal on Facebook

PayPal on Twitter

Read this carefully first about what happens to the money: Tax Holds | Backup withholding | PayPal US

On the other hand, PayPal or you could issue a refund (click open the transaction and click “Refund this payment”) and the money should go back to original funding source. If sender paid by card the money would go back to card at least because there has to be a way for buyers in Belarus receive refunds if they return merchandise, for example.

Maybe stick to using PayPal for purchases and use Western Union or Wise to receive personal payments who might be more helpful in answering your tax questions. Note that Wise service is not available to Belarus.