Obtaining an ITIN from Abroad Internal Revenue Service

Acceptance Agents are entities (colleges, financial institutions, accounting firms, etc.) who are authorized by the IRS to assist applicants in obtaining ITINs. They review the applicant’s documentation and forward the completed Form W-7 to IRS for processing. An ITIN is a tax-processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify taxpayers, including undocumented immigrants. ITIN holders must verify their identity through the video chat process and will need a valid email address, proof of ITIN, one primary document and one secondary document. You will receive a letter from the IRS assigning your tax identification number usually within seven weeks if you qualify for an ITIN and your application is complete.

• Instead, they will need to submit another form of supporting documentation depending on the exception category they qualify for to comply with their tax reporting requirements.
• If the applicant lives in the U.S., then no foreign address is necessary.
• By law, no one – other than as provided in the above exceptions – can look at the taxpayer’s records, unless the taxpayer authorizes via power of attorney.
• If you have or are eligible to obtain a social security number, you are not eligible for an ITIN.

You cannot use an ITIN to obtain work as a non-resident in the US. Anyone who is given an ITIN who eventually becomes eligible to apply for US work must submit an application for a Social Security card. If a taxpayer is being investigated for illegal activity, the investigating agency may ask a judge to sign an order allowing them to get copies of the taxpayer’s tax returns. Certified mail is the best way to make sure that the IRS received a form a taxpayer sent before a deadline. The advocate can save the cost of a return receipt by writing the receipt number on the tax return (usually above or below the taxpayer’s signature). Be sure that the advocate (or the taxpayer) holds onto the certified mail receipt.

What is an ITIN used for?

In some cases, F1 visa individuals may be eligible to obtain an SSN, which would mean they don’t need an ITIN. It is important to advise taxpayers about potential consequences. The IRS Disclosure Statute (I.R.C § 6103 (c) et al.) prohibits the sharing of information but has many exceptions. This gives you plenty of time to deal with any problems and receive your ITIN number before tax season arrives.

First, you have to understand that while an ITIN is an identification number, it isn’t the same as an SSN or EIN. Namely, this means it does not provide you with the same benefits these other identifications do. It does, however, offer its unique benefits to an illegal immigrant. This is generally satisfied with a certified copy of your passport. This is traditionally satisfied with a Federal Income Tax Return Form. ITIN number is also needed to open a personal bank account in the US if you don’t have an SSN.

• If a taxpayer is being investigated for illegal activity, the investigating agency may ask a judge to sign an order allowing them to get copies of the taxpayer’s tax returns.
• According to the IRS, certain errors can hold up ITIN processing.
• Candice now lives in New Orleans where she admits she spends more than she should on restaurants because the food is as good as you’ve heard.
• An ITIN is a tax-processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify taxpayers, including undocumented immigrants.

2) Supporting Documentation – based on the reason why you’re applying for an ITIN, I will instruct you further on how to obtain this after you sign up and I review your file. You can ONLY find your ITIN number on your official IRS ITIN Card/Letter that was issued to you from the IRS when you initially applied for an ITIN. IRS processes return showing SSNs or ITINs in the blanks where tax forms request SSNs. If you have an application for an SSN pending, do not file Form W-7. Complete Form W-7 only if the Social Security Administration (SSA) notifies you that an SSN cannot be issued. With an ITIN number, you can also open a U.S. bank account and apply for a mortgage loan.

This signature requires you to either go somewhere in person to fill out the ITIN application or you have to wait for the application to be sent to you in the mail, fill it out, and send it back in. Depending on where you live and what type of mailing options you have, this is something that can take a while. Naturally, the IRS needs all of your basic identification number including your current legal name, your birth name, your address, your country of citizenship, your date of birth, your place of birth, and your signature. To get ITIN, you will need to provide your birth name, current legal name, your address, your country of citizenship, your date and place of birth, and your signature.

Get My ITIN

A CAA must have completed a course for fraud document recognition, have completed an IRS training program, know the tax laws and regulations for the ITIN application process and be accepted into the CAA program by the IRS. One route for example, to obtaining an ITIN without having to file a tax return is to open an interest-bearing bank account. A taxpayer can file a W-7 with an extension form (instead of with 1040 which, for whatever reason, cannot be completed in time). Thus, the taxpayer should send the W-7 and the extension form together before April 15 and then send the 1040 form later. In addition to a W-7 IRS ITIN form, a US tax return form is required to apply for an ITIN, unless the taxpayer falls within the ITIN “exception” category (see IRS ITIN Publication 1915). All expired ITINs must be renewed before being used on a U.S. tax return.

You do not need to include a tax return along with the application – just proof of identity and the specified paperwork. Before proceeding further with the renewal process, knowing how to apply for the ITIN number makes sense. A non-citizen who has to file a federal tax return or a tax reporting document and does not qualify for an SSN should prepare an ITIN number application to get the ITIN number.

Individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN)

If you do not apply at the same time as your immigrant visa, you will need to bring your approval notices and petition along with your immigration status and work authorization to a Social Security office in the U.S. Make sure when you go to the Social Security office you have your passport with your immigrant visa or Permanent Resident Card, your birth certificate plus the birth certificate of any family member also applying for a SSN. Once I receive the necessary documentations from you for your file to be deemed complete, I will file your ITIN application with the IRS.

What is ITIN Used For?

You must also include original documentation or certified copies from the issuing agency to prove identity and foreign status. IRS issues ITINs to foreign nationals and others who have federal tax reporting or filing requirements and do not qualify for SSNs. A non-resident alien individual not eligible for an SSN who is required to file a U.S. tax return only to claim a refund of tax under the provisions of a U.S. tax treaty needs an ITIN. ITINs are issued regardless of immigration status because both resident and non-resident aliens may have a U.S. filing or reporting requirement under the Internal Revenue Code. Individuals must have a filing requirement and file a valid federal income tax return to receive an ITIN unless they meet an exception. ITINs are issued regardless of whether you’re an illegal immigrant or not an illegal immigrant because both resident and nonresident aliens may have a U.S. filing or reporting requirement under the Internal Revenue Code.

It’s important to keep in mind that the above time frames are estimates and that it may take a longer or shorter time to process your ITIN application. Once you have submitted your application, you can check the status of your ITIN application on the IRS website. If you want to speak to us directly you can e-mail us at And if you’re ready to sign up for the ITIN application service and would love to go ahead and click the link below to get started. If you don’t do that, then again, automatic rejection if you do that. But for example, let’s say you provide the documentation that’s from the category. If, first of all, you have to qualify for one and second, you need to correctly fill out the paperwork.

How to Get ITIN Number for Non Resident

Despite that, these working people are not eligible to receive Social Security benefits despite having paid into the system just as their naturalized or native-born tax-paying counterparts have. Having an ITIN will make many aspects of financial life easier for new immigrants to the U.S. We’ll explain what an ITIN is, if you can get an ITIN without a tax return, how to apply for an ITIN without an SSN, and how long it takes to receive an ITIN. Once the ITIN is assigned, they will forward your return for processing and send you a letter with the ITIN. Moving outside of the tax season, applying through a CAA under normal circumstances, it takes between 3 to 4 weeks. All you need to do is complete the form and supply the correct documents.

This will prevent you from having to mail your proof of identity and foreign status documents. If you qualify for an exception, then file Form W-7 with your proof of identity and foreign status documents and supporting documentation for free marketing proposal template the exception. According to the IRS, it can take up to 11 weeks for an ITIN application to be processed if you submit it by mail. If you submit your application through an authorized acceptance agent, the processing time may be shorter.