Get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number ITIN to file your tax return

Certifying Acceptance Agents and many Taxpayer Assistance Centers, discussed below, may also certify certain documents. When applying for an ITIN in advance of your tax return, you will need to provide certain documents as proof of your identity. When you are filing an ITIN application alongside a tax return, the responsible officer at your school cannot certify the documents you are providing. LITCs represent individuals whose income is below a certain level and who need to resolve tax problems with the IRS. LITCs can represent taxpayers in audits, appeals, and tax collection disputes before the IRS and in court. In addition, LITCs can provide information about taxpayer rights and responsibilities in different languages for individuals who speak English as a second language.

Did you know there is a Taxpayer Bill of Rights?

The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers and protects taxpayers’ rights. If you qualify for our assistance, which is always free, we will do everything possible to help you. Even though the basic process for obtaining an ITIN is fairly straightforward, IRS forms are notoriously confusing for citizens and foreign nationals alike. Moreover, the steps for obtaining an ITIN become slightly more complex when reporting U.S. taxes while living abroad. Sprintax is the go-to resource for international students, scholars, and nonresidents navigating the complexities of US tax filing. We are committed to empowering our readers with the knowledge they need to understand their tax obligations and maximize their refunds.

1. The standard processing time is still seven weeks, although the IRS points out that delays can last up to 11 weeks if the renewal paperwork is received during peak tax time (January 15 to April 30).
2. Please note that only owners of a US LLC or US C-Corp are eligible to apply for an ITIN.
3. For more information or to find an LITC near you, see the LITC page on the TAS website or Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List.
4. You can apply for an ITIN by bringing your completed forms (Including the completed Form W-7) and documentation to any IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center office.

Your Complete ITIN Guide: Essential Information for Non-Resident Taxpayers in the US

Many applicants have reported that 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. You will usually file an ITIN application, Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification how to create a powerful brand identity Number, with your first tax return, which you must file as a paper return, not electronically. Applicants can also submit their W-7 by scheduling an appointment at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center while in the United States, or through a Certifying Acceptance Agent either in the United States or abroad. An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a crucial tool for non-resident aliens who need to file U.S. tax returns.

I filed as a resident in 2018. I have since left the US. I received the CARES payment. What should I do?

A current passport would meet all these requirements and is the only document you can submit on its own. At Expat CPA, we specialize in helping non-residents, US citizens 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. Your school will typically have an officer who is responsible for certifying copies of your documents (such as passport, visa, i-20/DS-2019).

Apply for an ITIN in-person using the services of an IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Agent. This will prevent you from having to mail your proof of identity and foreign status documents. 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. An ITIN is a tax processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to individuals who do not qualify for a Social Security number (SSN) but still need to file a U.S. tax return. It allows you to what is the revenue recognition principle report your income earned in the US and claim any applicable tax benefits. Please note that only owners of a US LLC or US C-Corp are eligible to apply for an ITIN.

This guide explores everything you need to know about ITINs, including their purpose, benefits, eligibility requirements, and the application process. Obtaining units of production method an ITIN is essential for non-resident taxpayers filing U.S. tax returns. Certain offices can verify passports and national identification cards and return them immediately. A list of these in-person Document Review Taxpayer Assistance Centers is available on IRS.gov. This allows you to avoid mailing your original documents, or certified copies, to the IRS. If you already have an ITIN but fail to submit a U.S. tax return in any given calendar year, your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number may expire.

This is especially true if you’re mailing your ITIN application to the U.S. from overseas as an expat or non-resident. The advantage to using 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. 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.

The taxpayer Bill of Rights is grouped into 10 easy to understand categories outlining the taxpayer rights and protections embedded in the tax code. To learn about our professional expat tax preparation services, schedule a free consultation with us today. If you’re a US citizen who regularly files taxes, you likely have a Social Security number. But if you’re a non-citizen, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) still expects you to report taxes every year — for which you’ll need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If, for some reason you do not have a passport, you must provide the IRS with a combination of current documents that contain expiration dates. However, some nonresidents that have earned taxable US income but are not eligible for a SSN will likely need to apply for what is known as an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).