What this checklist is for
Moving to the United States brings a long list of money tasks at once: papers, a bank account, a first paycheck, taxes, health coverage and sending money home. This page puts 18 of the most common ones in a sensible order, with a link to the official source for each. It is a planning list, not advice: it summarizes what U.S. agencies publish and does not decide anything about your immigration status, your taxes or your finances. Your ticks are saved only in your own browser, so nobody else sees your progress.
The four stages
First week. Find out whether you can get a Social Security number from the Social Security Administration (SSA) or, if you cannot but must file a federal tax return, whether the IRS issues an ITIN for tax filing. Open a bank or credit union account, check that your deposits are insured, learn how debit and credit cards work, and learn the signs of imposter scams.
First two weeks. Complete your job paperwork: Form I-9 shows your employer that you may work, and Form W-4 tells the employer how much federal income tax to withhold. Set up direct deposit, read your first paycheck (gross pay, net pay, Social Security and Medicare withholding), learn how sales tax and tipping work, and make a simple budget.
First month. Start building a credit history, learn your rights when you send money abroad, begin a small emergency fund and learn the basics of health coverage.
Before tax season. Keep your records, check whether you count as a resident or a nonresident for U.S. tax purposes, know which forms and due dates apply, and watch out for tax scams.
Social Security number or ITIN
These are two different numbers from two different agencies. The SSA issues Social Security numbers and decides who is eligible. The IRS issues the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to people who must file or be named on a federal tax return but cannot get an SSN, and it is for tax purposes only. Our ITIN guide explains who needs one and how to apply or renew, and the guide to opening a bank account without an SSN covers the IDs banks commonly ask about. Each bank sets its own policy, so ask before you go.
Banks, cards and scams
Deposits at an FDIC-insured bank are insured up to the standard amount of $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, per ownership category, and credit unions are insured by the NCUA with the same standard amount. The FDIC lookup helps you check a bank. On scams, the FTC advises people not to send money, crypto or gift cards to someone they do not know after an unexpected call or message, and to contact the organization using a phone number or website they know is real. Report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Sending money home
Before you pay, a transfer provider must generally give you disclosures about the fee, the exchange rate and what the recipient will get, and you can notify the provider of an error and ask for an investigation. Compare the total cost rather than only the headline fee; the remittance fee calculator helps, and the guide on the 1% tax and your rights explains what changed in 2026.
Taxes in your first year
The IRS treats a person who is not a citizen as a resident or a nonresident for tax purposes, using tests such as the green card test and the substantial presence test, which counts days in the U.S. over three years. Nonresidents generally file Form 1040-NR; the IRS lists April 15 as the due date for those who receive wages subject to U.S. withholding or have a U.S. office or place of business, and June 15 for those who do not. Keep your own day count, and try the substantial presence test calculator. The IRS says to keep tax records as long as they may matter, which is generally at least three years from the date you file, and longer in some cases.
What this checklist does not do
It does not tell you which visa, status or tax form fits you, whether you owe tax, which bank to choose or which insurance plan to buy. Rules and forms change, and a few steps depend on your immigration status. For those questions, follow the official pages linked in each step or ask a qualified professional. A step you skip is not a mistake; the list is a starting point, so reorder it to suit your life.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to finish everything in 30 days?
No. The stages are a suggested order, not deadlines, and some steps depend on your job or visa. The only dates set by law are tax dates, so check the due date for your own return on the IRS pages linked above.
Is my progress shared with CentDaily or anyone else?
No. Your ticks are stored in your own browser (localStorage) under one key and are never sent anywhere. If you clear site data or use a different browser or phone, the list starts empty. Use the print button if you want a paper copy.
Does this checklist give immigration or tax advice?
No. It summarizes public information from the SSA, IRS, USCIS, CFPB, FTC, FDIC and other agencies and links to them. It cannot say what applies to your case. For immigration questions use the official USCIS pages or a licensed attorney or accredited representative, and for tax questions use the IRS or a qualified tax professional.
Official sources
Checked on October 17, 2026: IRS Topic 305, Recordkeeping (last reviewed October 13, 2026), IRS, Tax scams (updated September 16, 2026), IRS, Taxation of nonresident aliens (February 17, 2026), CFPB, Bank accounts and services (modified September 24, 2026), CFPB, Sending a money transfer (modified September 25, 2026), USCIS, Form I-9 (reviewed June 3, 2026), USA.gov, State and local taxes (updated December 11, 2025), FTC, Imposter scams, HealthCare.gov, Coverage for lawfully present immigrants. The full list of official pages for each step is in the data sources below.
This page gives general information, not immigration, tax, legal or financial advice. Rules, forms and due dates change; confirm them on the official pages or with a qualified professional.