If you’re unable to provide a passport, then you must submit a combination of at least 2 other unexpired documents from the official IRS List of Identification Documents shown below to use instead for their ITIN application. The first of which is your identification documentation. If you qualify for one of these five categories, then based on which category you qualify for, we can use the documentation from that category in place of a tax return. The second set of documentation requirements for the ITIN application are the supporting documentation. If you’re trying to apply for a new ITIN, you need one identification documentation and two supporting documentation.
ITINs are issued regardless of immigration status because both resident and nonresident aliens may have U.S. tax return filing responsibilities under the Internal Revenue Code. If we are not able to make the official copy ourselves, then you will need to make an appointment with the passport or government office in your country that issues the documents all important details of accounts receivable process you will be using to confirm your identity. If your local office does not offer this service, you will need to make an appointment with the US Embassy or US Consulate in your country. Please note that a notarized document from a solicitor, mayor, judge, town hall, public notary, minister, or any of the like are ABSOLUTELY NOT ACCEPTABLE.
- You can apply for an ITIN by bringing your completed forms and documentation to any IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center office.
- Most times, non-US citizens and Non-Residents don’t know how to get these documentation right.
- At a minimum, you should complete Form W-7 when you are ready to file your federal income tax return by the return’s prescribed due date.
- Find out what adjustments and deductions are available and whether you qualify.
Your TIN is a requirement on all tax documents, whether for personal or business purposes. For business owners, this number is also present on business licenses, permits, bank account documents, loans, and other relevant applications. Your business tax ID, or Employer Identification Number (EIN), will be listed on these. Additionally, your business credit report is another source to locate your TIN.
Each document must be current and contain an expiration date. IRS will accept documents issued within 12 months of the application if no expiration date is normally available. A passport is the only document that proves both identity and foreign status, and does not need to be submitted with any other identifying document. 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.
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Certifying Acceptance Agents and many Taxpayer Assistance Centers, discussed below, may also certify certain documents. 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. 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). Please note, according to IRS.gov, a certified document is one that the original issuing agency provides and certifies as an exact copy of the original document and contains an official stamped seal from the Agency. A notarized document is one that the taxpayer provides to a public notary who bears witness to the signing of the official document and affixes a seal assuring that the document is legitimate. These documents will not be accepted for ITIN applications.
Once you are issued an SSN, use it to file your tax return. Use your SSN to file your tax return even if your SSN does not authorize employment or if you have been issued an SSN that authorizes employment and you lose your employment authorization. An ITIN will not be issued to you once you have been issued an SSN. If you received your SSN after previously using an ITIN, stop using your ITIN. Taxpayers residing outside of the United States can apply for an ITIN using a certifying acceptance agent. See Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) for more information.
Getting an ITIN
No, these documentation requirements have to go with the ITIN application to the IRS. If they are not included and they’re not properly formatted, and it’s not the correct documentation for the applicant’s case, then the application will get rejected. If a passport without a date of entry submitted for a dependent, then additional documents proving the dependents U.S. residency must also be provided such as US medical or school records. Now, keep in mind, if you don’t provide a passport for this requirement, then you have to provide two valid identification documentation. Now, if you don’t have a valid passport, the IRS does have a list of alternate acceptable identification documentation.
What documents are acceptable as proof of identity and foreign status?
Civil birth certificates are considered current at all times because they don’t contain an expiration date. Taxpayers residing outside of the United States can apply for an ITIN through a certifying acceptance agent. A passport that doesn’t have a date of entry into the United States won’t be accepted as a stand-alone identification document for certain dependents.
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Once we receive your acceptable documentation, we must complete a face-to-face interview to confirm your identity. Ideally, we would love to meet with you in person but if that is not possible, then we have several other options to choose from such as Skype, Zoom, Join.Me, FaceTime, WeChat, or WhatApp. The original tax return for which the ITIN is needed must be attached to the application unless you qualify for an exception. The IRS will then process the tax return and issue an ITIN, which will be used for the tax return. The SSN/ITIN area on the tax return can be left blank when sending in the forms to the IRS. If Form W-7 is submitted to claim the PTC, then an attached tax return that lists the applicant and Form 8962 are required.
How to apply
Documentation must be submitted that proves both identity and foreign status. Some documentation fulfulls both categories, while some only fulfill each. Like we said before, there’s so many different things we can get into in terms of what can cause a rejection during this portion of the process, which is the documentation requirements.
What documents do I need to get an ITIN?
Enter “N/A” (not applicable) on all sections of each line that don’t apply to you. The private delivery service can tell you how to get written proof of the mailing date. If you submit a Form W-7, all future ITIN notices and correspondence that you receive will be in English.
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 do not qualify for an SSN, you will need to apply for an ITIN. An original passport is the only document that is accepted for both identity and foreign status. If you do not have a passport, you must provide a combination of current documents that contain expiration dates, show your name and photograph, and support your claim of foreign status.
Sometimes people will provide documentation that doesn’t. But non-citizens without work authorization sometimes have to file U.S. tax returns, too—if they have income from U.S. sources, for example, or if they are entitled to a refund of withheld money under a tax treaty. If you have suggestions for making this form simpler, we would be happy to hear from you. This is the address the IRS will use to return your original documents and send written notification of your ITIN application status. If you’re applying for an ITIN under this category, you must provide the relationship (for example, parent, child, grandchild, etc.) of the dependent to the U.S. citizen/resident alien.
