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 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.
When should I apply?
You will receive a letter from the IRS assigning your tax identification number usually within seven weeks if you qualify for an ITIN and your application is complete. You should expect to hear back from the IRS about your approval status after no more than seven weeks — look for a letter in the mail with your ITIN when your application is approved. If you do not want to apply for a PTIN online, use Form W-12, IRS Paid Preparer Tax Identification Number Application. If you must send original documents, you can send the IRS a prepaid express envelope with your application to have them returned faster.
- If you do not want to apply for a PTIN online, use Form W-12, IRS Paid Preparer Tax Identification Number Application.
- Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) are independent from the IRS and TAS.
- 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.
- If all your authentication information matches, you may be issued the same number.
- It also expires at the end of the current year if not used on a federal tax return in the last 3 years.
- If the tax return you attach to Form W-7 is filed after the return’s due date, you may owe interest and/or penalties.
Valid forms of ID
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. For more information bank reconciliation statement definition please see the Social Security Administration website.
How to file your federal tax return using an ITIN
The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers and protects taxpayers’ rights. We can offer you help if your tax problem is causing a financial difficulty, you’ve tried and been unable to resolve your issue with the IRS, or you believe an IRS system, process, or procedure just isn’t working as it should. If you qualify for our assistance, which is always free, we will do everything possible to help you.
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. No matter which way you file, we guarantee 100% accuracy and your maximum refund. 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).
This allows you to avoid mailing your original documents, or certified copies, to the IRS. A certified copy is one that the original issuing agency provides, and certifies as an exact copy of the original, and contains 12 branches of accounting an official stamped seal from the agency. Certifying Acceptance Agents and many Taxpayer Assistance Centers, discussed below, may also certify certain documents. With TurboTax Live Full Service, a local expert matched to your unique situation will do your taxes for you start to finish. Or, get unlimited help and advice from tax experts while you do your taxes with TurboTax Live Assisted.
Form W-7 requires documentation substantiating foreign/alien status and true identity for each individual. Acceptance Agents are entities (colleges, financial institutions, accounting firms, etc.) who are authorized by the IRS to assist applicants in obtaining ITINs. They review the applicant’s documentation and forward the completed Form W-7 to IRS for processing. An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a federal tax identification number, and is used to identify a business entity. It is also used by estates and trusts which have income which is required to be reported on Form 1041, U.S. Refer to Employer ID Numbers for more information.The following form is available only to employers located in Puerto Rico, Solicitud de Número de Identificación Patronal (EIN) SS-4PR PDF.
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 understanding operating margin by the IRS.
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. If the tax return you attach to Form W-7 is filed after the return’s due date, you may owe interest and/or penalties. Those affected by Hurricane Beryl in Texas and Hurricane Debby in some states in the Southeastern United States have more time to file federal tax returns and make certain tax payments. The additional time allowed by the IRS includes tax returns that were extended by the original April 15, 2024, deadline as well as certain payments that are normally due after the storms impacted these people. Apply for an ITIN in-person using the services of an IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Agent.
Failure to respond to the IRS letter may result in a procedural assessment of tax by the IRS against the foreign entity. If the foreign entity later becomes liable to file a U.S. tax return, the foreign entity should not apply for a new EIN, but should instead use the EIN it was first issued on all U.S. tax returns filed thereafter. IRS issues ITINs to help individuals comply with the U.S. tax laws, and to provide a means to efficiently process and account for tax returns and payments for those not eligible for Social Security numbers. They are issued regardless of immigration status, because both resident and nonresident aliens may have a U.S. filing or reporting requirement under the Internal Revenue Code.
