What is an ITIN Number and How to Apply for One

If an ITIN filer has a dependent child with an SSN, they may be eligible to claim the Child Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit. While it is not necessary if you are not planning to file a return or claim a refund immediately, you will need to renew it if you plan to file a tax return at any point in the future. 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. The IRS clarifies that you need either an ITIN or an SSN to get the Child Tax Credit.

  • Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to individuals who are required for U.S. federal tax purposes to have a U.S. taxpayer identification number but who do not have and are not eligible to get a Social Security number (SSN).
  • If none of the in-person options work for you, you can still submit your application by mail.
  • ITINs allow taxpayers to stay in compliance with United States tax law.
  • We are not a financial, accounting or law firm and do not provide legal or financial advice.

Ask your tax professional if a CAA is available at your H&R Block location. Let’s say you’re working and earning money in the United States, but you don’t qualify for a Social Security Number (SSN). An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, type of Tax ID or Taxpayer ID) will serve as your identification number for filing your tax returns.

If you need to renew your ITIN, you’ll follow the same process as applying for a new ITIN. However, if you mail in your renewal application, you can simply send along a form W-7 with supporting documents—no need to attach a tax return. You can file via Form W-7 with your federal tax return during tax season between January and April or any time you have a reporting requirement.

If none of the in-person options work for you, you can still submit your application by mail. We strongly suggest that you get certified copies of all your documents instead of sending originals. We also suggest you send the application and documents by certified mail so you’ll have evidence of when you filed the application and where you sent it. Many applicants have reported the IRS lost their passports or other valuable and hard-to-replace identification documents. Consider getting certified copies or using one of the application methods listed below, rather than mailing original identification documents to the IRS.

What form do I use to apply for an ITIN?

If you’re a qualifying non-resident or a resident alien (green card holder), you, your spouse, and your dependents can receive an ITIN. The IRS has a long list of documents or combinations of documents that can show your status and identity. GovPlus® is a private online software technology company not affiliated nor endorsed by any Government or State agency. We do not charge for any forms, however, we charge for use of our software in assisting you with completing the form.

Some tax filing services offer ITIN application assistance for free when you use their paid tax prep services. The ITIN program was created in 1996 for the purpose of allowing tax return filing by individuals without a Social Security number. Such investors need ITINs in order to file federal and state tax returns to report rental income. This means that anyone who is required to file taxes in the U.S. will be eligible for an ITIN, no matter their immigration status. An ITIN may be assigned to 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.

  • If a taxpayer or qualifying child qualifies for an SSN or ITIN but waits to apply, the taxpayer may not be able to claim this credit, even if they are otherwise eligible.
  • If you’re a qualifying non-resident or a resident alien (green card holder), you, your spouse, and your dependents can receive an ITIN.
  • Millions of people use them to help file and pay taxes, track their refunds, find information about their accounts and get answers to tax questions.
  • While it is not necessary if you are not planning to file a return or claim a refund immediately, you will need to renew it if you plan to file a tax return at any point in the future.
  • ITINs allow foreign nationals living in the US to comply with tax laws, and can also be issued for a recipient’s spouse and dependents.

If you do not qualify for an SSN, you will need to apply for an ITIN. Any applicant who meets an exception to the requirement to file a tax return must provide documentation to support the exception (see the instructions for Form W-7). You can mail the W-7 and documentation to the address in the Form W-7 Instructions.

Tax season rapidly approaching: Get ready now to file 2023 federal income tax returns in early 2024

More specifically, an ITIN is given to certain foreign nationals, nonresidents, their dependents, and spouses who are not eligible for Social Security Numbers. You will usually file an ITIN application, Form W-7, Application word invoice template 2021 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.

Is an ITIN Number What You Need?

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. If questions 11 through 17 on Form SS-4 do not apply to the applicant because he has no U.S. tax return filing requirement, such questions should be annotated “N/A”. A foreign entity that completes Form SS-4 in the manner described above should be entered into IRS records as not having a filing requirement for any U.S. tax returns. Failure to respond to the IRS letter may result in a procedural assessment of tax by the IRS against the foreign entity.

What is an ITIN used for?

This interview will help you determine if you should file an application to receive an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). An ITIN is a tax processing number, issued by the Internal Revenue Service, for certain resident and nonresident aliens, their spouses, and their dependents. You need to renew your ITIN number if it has expired or will expire before filing a tax return in 2023. They will also notify you that the ITIN number you submitted is expired and explain the delay for your refund.

Allows you to claim certain tax credits

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 identity and foreign status. As previously mentioned, you need to file Form W-7 to apply for your ITIN. You can apply for your ITIN number at the same time you file federal taxes with the IRS. If you choose to do so, you would complete your U.S. tax return and attach your W-7 along with the other documents and send it to the IRS.

TURBOTAX ONLINE GUARANTEES

The IRS requires anyone who prepares or assists in preparing federal tax returns for compensation to have a PTIN. Tax preparers must put their PTIN numbers on clients’ tax returns. While the ITIN application or renewal process can be done with any of our tax pros, using a Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) makes the process a bit easier. With this service, offered at certain participating offices, the CAA will verify your supporting documents90Go to disclaimer for more details. And, because they’re verified on-site, your original documents may not need to be mailed to the IRS. Our CAA will submit copies of these documents, along with your ITIN application or renewal, to the IRS for you.

James Bond

Back to top