[muawiyah]

A very common reason for issuance of a "number" is that someone has a student visa.

Such folks are allowed to "work" for the school they are attending. IRS wants a piece of the action, so the numbers are issued to the students so that taxes can be collected.

I believe this payment of taxes is referred to as a "benefit" by leftwingnuts.

[Straight Vermonter]

Thanks. That certainly makes more sense.