How do I get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number ITIN?

Sarah is an Enrolled Agent with the IRS and a former staff writer at Keeper. In 2022, she was named one of CPA Practice Advisor’s 20 Under 40 Top Influencers in the field of accounting. Her work has been featured in Business Insider, Money Under 30, Best Life, GOBankingRates, and Shopify. Sarah has spent nearly a decade in public accounting and has extensive experience offering strategic tax planning at the state and federal level. In her spare time, she is a devoted cat mom and enjoys hiking, painting, and overwatering her houseplants. If none of the in-person options work for you, you can still submit your application by mail.

Who doesn’t need an ITIN

All the exceptions are listed in the ITIN application instructions. All Form W-7 applications, including renewals, must include a U.S. federal tax return unless you meet an exception to the filing requirement. For people who want to be granted US citizenship or permanent legal residence, filing a tax return is an important first step in demonstrating your “moral character” to the government. And acquiring an ITIN allows anyone — including nonresidents and undocumented immigrants — to file and pay their taxes.

What Is an Individual Tax ID Number (ITIN) and How To Get One

Beginning January 1, 2011, if you are a paid tax preparer you must use a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) on returns you prepare. If you do not have a PTIN, you must get one by using the new IRS sign-up system. Even if you have a PTIN but you received it prior to September 28, 2010, you must apply for a new or renewed PTIN by using the new system. If all your authentication information matches, you may be issued the same number. You must have a PTIN if you, for compensation, prepare all or substantially all of any federal tax return or claim for refund. Apply for an ITIN in-person using the services of an IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Agent.

Be sure to enter your date of birth in the order listed on the form — month first, followed by date, and then year at the end. Choose whether you’re applying or renewingIn the very first section, you’ll be prompted to mark whether you’re renewing an ITIN you already have or applying for a new one. The same rule of thumb goes for your dependents and your spouse. If you aren’t claiming them on your tax return, there’s no reason for them to get an ITIN number. Anyone who needs to pay taxes but doesn’t fit into the Social Security box should get an ITIN. Allow 15 business days for ISS processing.ISS will prepare ITIN support letters for you and have the original available to pick up once it is ready.

Will applying for an ITIN delay your tax return?

1. A certified copy is one that the original issuing agency provides, and certifies as an exact copy of the original, and contains an official stamped seal from the agency.
2. That’s why many creditors only accept Social Security numbers and won’t rent to ITIN holders.
3. All features, services, support, prices, offers, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.

If you do not want to apply for a PTIN online, use Form W-12, IRS Paid Preparer Tax Identification Number Application. You will need to complete Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card PDF. You also must submit evidence of your identity, age, and U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status.

They’ll review the W-7 and documentation before sending it to the IRS. They don’t entitle the taxpayer to Social Security benefits, stimulus payments, or other benefits. 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. At Keeper, we’re on a mission to help people overcome the complexity of taxes. We’ve provided this information for educational purposes, and it does not constitute tax, legal, or accounting advice.

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 definition and example of step and fixed costs 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.