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What is an ITIN Number and How to Apply for One

The 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form will be available by Dec. 31, 2023—with some changes for you and your family. Get ready now so you can complete the FAFSA form as soon as it’s available at fafsa.gov. If someone doesn’t meet the criteria of these two tests or has an option to override them, they’re generally considered a nonresident alien by the IRS.

  • If your ITIN does expire, you’ll need to renew it using form W-7.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Certifying Acceptance Agents and many Taxpayer Assistance Centers, discussed below, may also certify certain documents. An SSN is not required to apply for an ITIN; in fact, the ITIN was created so those without an SSN could file their taxes each year. This means sending your passport or other identifying document to the IRS in Austin, Texas for 1-2 months. As a Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA), we can verify the authenticity of your documents and submit your application.

What happens if you don’t pay your taxes?

If you do not qualify for an SSN, you will need to apply for an ITIN. Applications for Form W-7 should go out when the individual is ready to file their federal income tax return. Individuals can apply for an ITIN at any time, but they might owe penalties if the attached tax return is late. Workers without an SSN are still required to file their individual income tax return.

An ITIN is a tax-processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify taxpayers, including undocumented immigrants. ITINs can be renewed using the same W-7 form you used to apply for the number in the first place. If you want to check the status of your ITIN application, you can call the IRS numbers listed above. ITINs can expire if they’re not used on a federal tax return at least once every three years. ITINs can also sometimes be used for other purposes, like applying for a credit card or opening a bank account. And in some states, ITINs can be used to get a driver’s license.

ITIN numbers: FAQs

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. Ask your tax professional if a CAA is available at your H&R Block location. 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. Dependents of U.S. military personnel can submit original documents, certified copies or notarized copies of identification documents.

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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. 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.

Can a non-US citizen receive an ITIN?

Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Upwardli credit builder products are provided by Cross River Bank, Member FDIC. Our Firm provides Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) service for obtaining an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN).

And despite what some people believe, undocumented immigrants do indeed pay taxes. We accept payment in cash, credit card, where petty cash appears in the balance sheet check, or wire transfer. Even if there’s only a slight chance you’ll apply to a school, list it on your FAFSA form.

The IRS will then return the documents in the envelope provided by the applicant. 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. The only form that needs to be filled out is the W-7 Form, which you can do yourself or get help from an authorized acceptance agent. With Form W-7, the individual can either apply for a new ITIN or renew an existing ITIN. They must attach a valid federal income tax return along with identity and foreign status documents.

Q5: Can I renew my ITIN even though my ITIN is not expiring, and no one in my family has an ITIN that is expiring?

If you’re unsure whether you need an ITIN, check with your employer. For a summary of those rules, please see the new Form W-7 and its instructions. If you like to learn more about international money transfers or living abroad, explore our blog.