What is an ITIN?
Whether you’re a resident in the United States or simply work here, it might be a good idea for you to get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number or ITIN.
Issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), an ITIN offers a way for those who work in the U.S. to pay taxes. It also offers some tax and public benefits.
In other words, an ITIN doesn’t automatically allow you to work in the U.S. Nor does it qualify you for other benefits such as Social Security, or being able to claim a dependent for the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Many people who are not authorized to live in the United States worry that filing taxes increases their exposure to the government, fearing this could ultimately result in deportation.
How To Apply
You can file Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), with your federal income tax return. You must also include original documentation or certified copies from the issuing agency to prove your identity and foreign status.
Apply for an ITIN in-person using the services of an IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Agent. This will prevent you from having to mail your proof of identity and foreign status documents.
Make an appointment at a designated IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center. This will also prevent you from having to mail your proof of identity and foreign status document.
An applicant can apply for an ITIN by mail, in person through a designated IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC), or with the help of an Acceptance Agent (AA) or a Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) authorized by the IRS
Applicants who apply for an ITIN by mail directly with the IRS must submit either the original of each supporting document or a certified copy of each supporting document.
Applicants who do not want or are unable to mail their original documents or certified copies to the IRS may take them in person to a TAC or CAA to have the documents (or certified copies) verified and immediately returned to them.
As of 2016, CAAs are allowed to authenticate the passport and birth certificate for dependents (though not other forms of acceptable identity documents).
For primary and secondary applicants, CAAs are authorized to authenticate all 13 forms of acceptable identification documents. TAC offices are authorized to authenticate only the passport, birth certificate, and foreign national ID cards for ITIN applicants (including for dependents).
Taxpayer Assistance Centers: Certain IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers have staff who can help you prepare W-7 forms, determine which documents are acceptable, and verify the validity of identification documents.
Acceptance Agents: An Acceptance Agent authorized by the IRS can examine identification documents, certify that they are valid, and send the application to the IRS.
Self-preparation: You can apply directly to the IRS. Form W-7’s must include original documentation or copies of these documents certified by the issuing agency.
Proof of Identity
- Passport (can prove both your identity and residency status).
- A U.S. Department of State-issued visa.
- U.S. driver’s license.
- Photo ID issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- U.S. military identification card
- Foreign driver’s license.
- Military identification card (foreign).
- U.S. state identification card.
- Foreign civil birth certificate.
- Foreign medical records (for dependents under six years old).
- A national ID card that has your name, address, date of birth, photo, and expiration date.
- Foreign voter’s registration card.
- Foreign school records (for dependents who are students and under 18 years old).
- Most people who are born in or authorized to work in the United States receive what’s called a Social Security .
- If you are in the U.S. in a status that does not allow you to receive a Social Security Number, however—perhaps because you are an undocumented immigrant, a nonimmigrant with a visa that doesn’t allow work.
- The main purpose of the nine-digit ITIN is that it can be used in place of an SSN for purposes of filing income taxes or claiming various tax credits
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.
