Can I open a bank account & Tax file before receiving my green card?

In opening a bank account, mosr banks will demand a US photo identification along with copy of your social security card. As soon as you arrive in United States, the first thing I'd suggest is that you apply for a social security card using. The SSA will accept your foreign passport which has an endorsement of your legal resident status. This takes about 2 weeks to process. Next, with your newly issued social security card, you should next go to NYS Dept of Motor Vehicle and apply for a NY State non driver ID (presenting your social security card; foreign passport and other evidence if any of your identity. NYS DMV can check your legal status with CIS, and thereafter issue you a non driver ID. In the interim, you may receive your actual green card in the mail from CIS which is even better evidence of your identity and legal status. Finally, with all of these documents, you should thereafter have no problem in opening a bank account.The social security card number issued by SSA is your tax id.

Your first visit on arrival to the U.S. should be to the Social Security Administration. I-551 stamp in the passport usually suffices as proof of your immigrant status. You might also need some proof of your physical address; ask you wife to add your name to the lease. With a Social Security card, passport, and a proof of address, you should be able to open a bank account. Some banks might ask for a driver's license or non-driver's state ID card. If this happens in your case, you will have the option of going to the nearest Registry of Motor Vehicles and applying for a driver's license or state ID card.