You’ll need to include proof of identity and foreign status; a passport or visa satisfies both. After you submit your application, you’ll receive a letter from the IRS within six weeks containing your ITIN. If you’re submitting a passport, or a certified copy of a passport from the issuing agency, no other documentation is required to prove your identity and foreign status. Ensure any visa information shown on the passport is entered on line 6c and the pages of the passport showing the U.S. visa (if a visa is required for your Form W-7) are included with your Form W-7.

For the estimated averages, see the instructions for your income tax return. Enter your complete foreign (non-U.S.) address in the country where you permanently or normally reside, even if it’s the same as the address on line 2. If you no longer have a permanent foreign residence due to your relocation to the United States, enter only the foreign country where you last resided on line 3.

• The school record must consist of an official report card or transcript issued by the school or the equivalent of a Ministry of Education.
• Lucky for you, issuers can’t legally require you to provide a Social Security number if you don’t have one, according to the Social Security Administration.
• You can apply for an ITIN any time during the year when you have a filing or reporting requirement.
• There are a number of factors that issuers consider when evaluating a credit application.
• You will usually file an ITIN application, Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, with your first tax return, which you must file as a paper return, not electronically.
• Once you are issued an SSN, use it to file your tax return.

If you qualify for an exception, then file Form W-7 with your proof of identity and foreign status documents and supporting documentation for the exception. Many new immigrants have found the second best method to start building and using credit through credit cards is by applying for and using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). An ITIN is, according to the IRS, a “tax processing number” designed to help individuals who are not eligible for a Social Security Number.

They’ll review the W-7 and documentation before sending it to the IRS. You can apply for an ITIN by bringing your completed forms and documentation to any IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center office. The staff can help you complete an application and will submit it for processing.

Who’s eligible for an ITIN?

For dependents, CAAs can only verify passports and birth certificates. The CAA will return the documentation immediately after reviewing its authenticity. Taxpayers residing outside of the United States can apply for an ITIN through a CAA.

ITINs allow taxpayers to stay in compliance with United States tax law. In some cases (such as claiming some dependent-connected tax benefits or filing jointly with a spouse), ITINs allow a taxpayer to benefit from tax rules that apply to all filers and not only to those with an SSN. If you’d prefer not to submit your information in person, you can mail it. Because of the sensitive nature of the documents you’re sending, only use certified mail with a tracking number.

• If the SSA determines that you’re not eligible for an SSN, you must get a letter of denial and attach it to your Form W-7.
• This address is used to mail notices about your Form W-7, including notification of your assigned ITIN, and return your original supporting documentation.
• All Powers of Attorney (POAs) submitted to the IRS must be in English.
• If Form W-7 is submitted to claim the PTC, then an attached tax return that lists the applicant and Form 8962 are required.
• After you submit your application, you’ll receive a letter from the IRS within six weeks containing your ITIN.

We are not a financial, accounting or law firm and do not provide legal or financial advice. You’ll be required to have the original document or certified copy with your application. All Powers of Attorney (POAs) submitted to the IRS must be in English.

Individual Taxpayer Identification Number

If you check this box to claim an exception under the benefits of a U.S. income tax treaty with a foreign country, also check box h. On the dotted line next to box h, enter the appropriate designation for Exception 2, explained later. Identify the exception by its number, alpha subsection, and category under which you’re applying (for example, enter “Exception 2b-Scholarship Income and claiming tax treaty benefits” or “Exception 2c-Scholarship Income”). Also, enter the name of the treaty country and the treaty article number in the appropriate entry spaces below box h (if applicable) and attach the documents required under Exception 2. Individuals filing tax returns using an ITIN aren’t eligible for the earned income credit (EIC).

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Form W-7(SP), Solicitud de Número de Identificación Personal del Contribuyente del Servicio de Impuestos Internos is available for use by Spanish speakers. Publication 15PDF provides information on employer tax responsibilities related to taxable wages, employment tax withholding and which tax returns must be filed. More complex issues are discussed in Publication 15-APDF and tax treatment of many employee benefits can be found in Publication 15. We recommend employers download these publications from IRS.gov. Copies can be requested online (search “Forms and Publications) or by calling 800-TAX-FORM. You are not required to provide the information requested on a form that is subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act unless the form displays a valid OMB control number.

Enter the name of the state or country or other issuer, the identification number (if any) appearing on the document(s), the expiration date, and the date on which you entered the United States. If you’re required to file a tax return and aren’t eligible for a Social Security number, you need to apply for an ITIN (See the What should I do? section, above). Applicants who meet one of the exceptions to the requirement to file a tax return (see the Instructions arrears payment for Form W-7) must provide documentation to support the exception. Applying for a credit card without a Social Security number is possible when you use an ITIN, or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. Many of the largest credit card companies allow immigrants and those without Social Security numbers to apply for and use credit cards, regardless of immigration status. So if you are looking to get credit but don’t have an SSN, you have options.

See the instructions for your U.S. federal tax return for more information. If you’re renewing an existing ITIN, you must submit your Form W-7 renewal application with your U.S. federal tax return using one of the methods described below in Where To Apply. Spouses and dependents who renew their ITIN must be listed on an attached U.S. federal tax return with the schedule or form that applies to the allowable tax benefit. If you don’t renew your expired ITIN and you file a U.S. federal tax return with the expired ITIN, there may be a delay in processing your tax return.

Expanded discussion of allowable tax benefit

With tax professionals and Certified Acceptance Agents (CAAs) nationwide, our offices are well-equipped to guide you through the ITIN application or ITIN renewal process. You will need to complete Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security CardPDF. You also must submit evidence of your identity, age, and U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status. For more information please see the Social Security Administration website.

The following form is available only to employers located in Puerto Rico, Solicitud de Número de Identificación Patronal (EIN) SS-4PRPDF. For more information see Allowable Tax Benefits in the Instructions for Form W-7PDF. We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. The private delivery service can tell you how to get writtenproof of the mailing date. Online Payment Agreement
Find out if you’re eligible to set up a payment plan on the amount you owe if you can’t afford to pay all of it at one time.

Taxpayers and their representatives should review these changes, which are further explained in the ITIN Documentation Frequently Asked Questions, before requesting an ITIN. IRS ECO shows how modernizing IRS service and technology are key to meeting the Inflation Reduction Act’s economic and climate goals. Although applying can be straightforward, the IRS can take up to seven weeks to approve your ITIN application. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services.