Any Peurto Rican immigrants, I need help

Jims5543 · 02-20-2008, 07:43 AM

I have a new employee and his last name on his drivers license does not match his SS card.

His ss car has his fathers and mothers surnames with a hyphen between.

i.e.

Perez-Rodriguez

He goes by Perez (his dads surname) only.

(names are made up and any similarity to real persons is coincidental)

My CPA called and said he needs to refill out his forms to match is SS card but his DL does not match and he has NEVER used his moms surname ever.

I know in PR you get mom and dads surnames as a last name.

I am not sure what to do here. I guess just have him fill out the forms and then instruct the CPA to cut his paychecks with his dads last name only.

frogger · 02-20-2008, 07:49 AM

Is he in the US legally?

Jims5543 · 02-20-2008, 07:52 AM

Yes, he is everything is legit.

frogger · 02-20-2008, 07:56 AM

The SSN issue caught my attention.

Jims5543 · 02-20-2008, 07:59 AM

Parents immigrated here when he was a small child, his parents are legal as well. He is 19 years old now.

Dueller · 02-20-2008, 08:04 AM

Have him go to SS office with B/C, DL and anyother ID that shows only Perez along with a letter from you explaining why he wants to change it and they will take care of it.

I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn express last nite but I did work for SSA for 11 years.

Paco Anton · Paco Anton's Garage

I guess the PR and Spanish systems are basically the same.

In Spain we go by our father and mother surnames. First the father then the mother. You usually skip the second surname and use it only when you need to clarify things.

Example:

I am Paco Anton, as you can see in my user name. My complete name is Paco (name) Anton (first surname, father's) Monllor (second surname, mother's). So I am Paco Anton or Paco Anton Monllor but never Paco Monllor or Paco A. Monllor.

My father is Paco Anton Lopez (his mother's surname). He goes by Paco Anton too and uses the full name when he needs to differentiate or to fill legal documents.

If I were to fill in US documents I'd go by Paco (name) Anton (surname) or Paco (name) Anton-Monllor (surname), most probbably the first as I rarely use the second surname and few people know it anyway.

Hope this helps

RickM · RickM's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dueller

I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn express last nite but I did work for SSA for 11 years.

Sorry for the hijack:

Is it possible to gain access to one's SSN history? I hear no.
Also, I once read that there is a "generic" SSN one could use legally when not wanting to give up their own. I figure it's untrue. (Wish I could find the source again)

Dueller · 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickM

Sorry for the hijack:

Is it possible to gain access to one's SSN history? I hear no.
Also, I once read that there is a "generic" SSN one could use legally when not wanting to give up their own. I figure it's untrue. (Wish I could find the source again)

Yes, you can get the records for your own SSN. SSA maintains a data base that shows everytime you applied originally, got a replacement card, changed your name etc. There are rare cases where the number has to be changed due to a duplicate issue to 2 different people or for other reasons (i.e., 666 is in the number and you have religious objections comes to mind).

No such thing as a generic SSN

Hugh R · 02-20-2008, 08:19 AM

If your from PR, aren't you a US Citizen? Sounds like it should be easy to clear up.

id10t · 02-20-2008, 08:45 AM

PR is US Citizen. Had a good time explaining that to the Japanese immigration agent when we went to Canada on our honeymoon - she had an issue with a birth cert. in spanish.

Anyway, yes, in PR they use mothers maiden name as a "middle" name - so a friend of my wife is William Rodriguez Rodriguez...

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by id10t

... in PR they use mothers maiden name as a "middle" name - so a friend of my wife is William Rodriguez Rodriguez...

Also frequently done in Mexico.

My father was born here of Mexican parents. His name was Robert Jimenez Estrada. Intersting that it was NOT "Roberto"- I guess a 1923 era nod to trying to assimilate?, yet they used his mother's maiden name as a middle name. To do otherwise would have been insuliting to her family in thosedays...I think.

ErVikingo · 02-20-2008, 12:14 PM

Are you guys kidding me "is he legal" or "immigrated"...

Did you ever hear of the Spanish American war and the invasion by US forces of PR back in July 25th, 1898 and then of the Jones Act which in 1917 conferred U.S. citizenship to Puerto Ricans?

Puerto Rico is part of the USA and all Puertorricans are US citizens by birth (like the rest of the US citizens).

As to the last names, its common to use both (I do) and my SS card uses 2, my license uses my dads and my tax return uses both.

All you have to do is to either use his fathers last name or both. No issues with the IRS.

frogger · 02-20-2008, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErVikingo

Are you guys kidding me "is he legal" or "immigrated"...

Whoa, Juan! This was a simple question based on an immigrant's SSN mismatch. There are some people that have false documents. I only asked questions, never made an accusation. Peace.

Jims5543 · 02-20-2008, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErVikingo

Are you guys kidding me "is he legal" or "immigrated"...

Did you ever hear of the Spanish American war and the invasion by US forces of PR back in July 25th, 1898 and then of the Jones Act which in 1917 conferred U.S. citizenship to Puerto Ricans?

Puerto Rico is part of the USA and all Puertorricans are US citizens by birth (like the rest of the US citizens).

As to the last names, its common to use both (I do) and my SS card uses 2, my license uses my dads and my tax return uses both.

All you have to do is to either use his fathers last name or both. No issues with the IRS.

Sorry if I insulted you with the question it was not my intention. I should have realized that, his brother went to Puerto Rico last month and did not need a passport, that alone should have tipped me off. Duh!

My CPA was concerned as to what name to use for his paycheck. His legal name here in the states appears to be dads last name only, this is how his DL is and his bank account.

For tax reasons we probably should use his entire name though.

I instructed my CPA to cut his paycheck in his Fathers name and his IRS stuff in both names.

Is this how you do it? Does your bank give you a hard time when a check is made out to both names?

RRico · 02-20-2008, 01:03 PM

I dont think Juan was insulted.
However most mainland Americans think Puerto Rico is a different "country".
It's just kind of a PITA to explain every time this subject comes up.

frogger · 02-20-2008, 01:04 PM

That just (rightfully) slapped me upside the head. D'oh!

ErVikingo · 02-20-2008, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RRico

I dont think Juan was insulted.
However most mainland Americans think Puerto Rico is a different "country".
It's just kind of a PITA to explain every time this subject comes up.

Thanks Rico ! I'm not insulted at all just surprised it is still not clear after almost a century...

Anyhow, I cut the checks and also the IRS forms using the full name as per the SS. I have never (not any of my employees) had a problem. Then again, we don't cash the paychecks but deposit them through ADP.