Individual Taxpayer Identification Number ITIN Service
Form W-7 requires documentation substantiating foreign/alien status and true identity for each individual. That way, you won’t have to mail your originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. 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. Certifying Acceptance Agents and many Taxpayer Assistance Centers, discussed below, may also certify certain documents.
- If you miss the 45-day window, your application will be automatically rejected.
- An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, type of Tax ID or Taxpayer ID) will serve as your identification number for filing your tax returns.
- Be sure to take a selfie for sentimental purposes (optional step).
- An ITIN will serve as your identification number for filing your taxes.
Sarah has spent nearly a decade in public accounting experience, 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. 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.
Will the IRS return my original documents to me? How long will it take to get them back? (updated December
On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more. At Expat CPA, we specialize in helping non-residents, US citizens what is a bank reconciliation and expats remain compliant with the latest IRS tax codes. In addition to dedicated support for W-7 form instruction, we can also help you determine your expat eligibility for Social Security and other federal benefits. The letter will list your ITIN number and give you instructions on how to use it.
- To obtain your ITIN, you will need to complete several documents.
- As a Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA), we can verify the authenticity of your documents and submit your application.
- Remember to use the most updated copy since there are revisions made now and then.
- They review the applicant’s documentation and forward the completed Form W-7 to IRS for processing.
- If you’re applying in person instead of mailing your application to an IRS office, you can use IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Agents, also known as CAAs.
After you apply for an ITIN and qualify for an ITIN, you could receive a letter from the IRS assigning your tax identification number in as early as seven weeks. However, the speed in which it takes to get an ITIN depends on the volume of inquiries the IRS receives — it can take nine to eleven weeks during busy times. Lastly, you should include all the documents asked for in Form W-7 or as instructed by IRS officials. Some of the items to include are your passport, National ID card, Foreign voter ID card, driver’s license, U.S. All documents should show your photo, name, address, expiration date, and DOB, and should be valid at the time of submission.
Are there any alternative options for me if I do not want to mail the original documents I have such as my passport?
A copy of this form should be attached to your return as well. 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 Is an ITIN?
If you do not want to apply for a PTIN online, use Form W-12, IRS Paid Preparer Tax Identification Number Application. 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. Keeper is the top-rated all-in-one business expense tracker, tax filing service, and personal accountant.
Step #1: Fill out Form W-7
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All deposit accounts through Pathward are FDIC insured. If you try to file your return with an expired ITIN, your refund could be considerably delayed. Find your H&R Block Tax Office today to ensure you are prepared.
What to expect after your ITIN application is processed
Many applicants are trying to get into the Federal Student Aid (FSA) Office web site to complete the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA is required to qualify for federal financial aid and by most higher education institutions for their own aid processes. Unfortunately, the rollout has been a little rocky, with repeating loading screens, “Please Wait” pages, errors in submission, and other issues. H4 visa holders, for example, have to file tax returns but cannot get an SSN, which is issued only to U.S. citizens. If you’re working and earning money in the United States, but you don’t have and don’t qualify for a Social Security Number, you’ll need an ITIN.
How to apply for an ITIN
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. Dependents of U.S. military personnel can submit original documents, certified copies or notarized copies of identification documents.