ITINs do not serve any purpose other than federal tax reporting. 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. All the exceptions are listed in the ITIN application instructions. You can apply for an ITIN any time during the year when you have a filing or reporting requirement.
All Form W-7 applications, including renewals, must include a U.S. federal tax return unless you meet an exception to the filing requirement. An ITIN may be assigned to retail accounting an alien dependent from Canada or Mexico if that dependent qualifies a taxpayer for a child or dependent care credit (claimed on Form 2441). The Form 2441 must be attached to Form W-7 along with the U.S. federal tax return.
The Individual Tax Identification Number, or ITIN, allows taxpayers who don’t have a Social Security Number (SSN) to file income tax returns. Unlike other forms of ID, ITINs only have one purpose—tax filing and reporting. Having an ITIN number won’t make you eligible for benefits, such as Social Security or earned income credits that provide refunds to some low-income filers. You can file Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), with your federal income tax return.
Application Process
As an independent organization within the IRS, the Taxpayer Advocate Service helps taxpayers resolve problems and recommends changes that will prevent problems. See how much you can save when a TurboTax expert does your taxes, start to finish. A Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is an identification number used by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the administration of tax laws. It is issued either by the Social Security Administration (SSA) or by the IRS. A Social Security number (SSN) is issued by the SSA whereas all other TINs are issued by the IRS.
The IRS issues ITINs to individuals who are required to have a U.S. taxpayer identification number but who do not have, and are not eligible to obtain, a Social Security number (SSN) from the Social Security Administration (SSA). 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. In general, only people who are authorized to work in the United States are eligible to have a Social Security number. This can include both U.S. citizens and non-citizens such as U.S. nationals and permanent residents. These people use their Social Security numbers to identify themselves when filing their taxes. Taxpayers with an ITIN can complete the registration process to access their IRS online account, which provides balance due, payment history, payment plans, tax records, and more.
The advantage to using Certifying Acceptance Agents (CAAs) is that for primary and secondary applicants (like a spouse), the CAA can certify that your documents are original and make copies to send to the IRS. That way, you won’t rial definition and meaning have to mail your originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. The IRS has a long list of documents or combinations of documents that can show your status and identity. A current passport would meet all these requirements and is the only document you can submit on its own. All features, services, support, prices, offers, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a tax processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service.
21.263, IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) Real-Time System (RTS)
If you are not a U.S. citizen and do not have a Social Security number, learn how to get and use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to file a federal tax return. They don’t entitle the taxpayer to Social Security benefits, stimulus payments, or other benefits. Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) are independent from the IRS and TAS. LITCs represent individuals whose income is below a certain level and who need to resolve tax problems with the IRS. LITCs can represent taxpayers in audits, appeals, and tax collection disputes before the IRS and in court.
Expanded discussion of allowable tax benefit
- These people use their Social Security numbers to identify themselves when filing their taxes.
- Applicants who meet one of the exceptions to the requirement to file a tax return (see the Instructions for Form W-7) must provide documentation to support the exception.
- For more information see Allowable Tax Benefits in the Instructions for Form W-7 PDF.
- And if you want to file your own taxes, you can still feel confident you’ll do them right with TurboTax as we guide you step by step.
To obtain an ITIN, you must complete IRS Form W-7, IRS Application for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. The Form W-7 requires documentation substantiating foreign/alien status and true identity for each individual. You may either mail the documentation, along with the Form W-7, to the address shown in the Form W-7 Instructions, present it at IRS walk-in offices, or process your application through an Acceptance Agent authorized by the IRS.
But some non-citizens who have U.S. tax obligations aren’t eligible to receive a Social Security number. Instead, they can apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or ITIN, by submitting Form W-7 to the IRS. ITINs that have not been used on a tax return for Tax Year 2020, Tax Year 2021 or Tax Year 2022 will expire December 31, 2023. Unless you will not need to file an income tax return next year, you will likely need to renew your ITIN if you fit management accounting either of the above two categories.
