How to apply for your ITIN from abroad Nonresident Tax tips

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. 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. The staff can help you complete an application and will submit it for processing. If you are in your home country outside of the US then this may be trickier as usually your responsible officer at your school can certify copies of your identification documents. If you’re required to file a tax return and aren’t eligible for a Social Security number, you need to apply for an ITIN (See the What should I do? section, above).

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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. Assuming you qualify for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (and you follow the W-7 form instructions correctly), you should receive an ITIN within seven weeks. But due to potential processing delays, it’s advisable that you add some extra wiggle room.

Obtaining an ITIN from abroad

Whether you’re preparing your first tax return or seeking answers to complicated questions, Sprintax is here to support you every step of the way. If you are an international student and you are filing an ITIN application in advance of your tax return, you will need to complete and sign a Form W-7. If you are not a U.S. citizen and do not have a Social Security number, learn how to get and balance sheet definition use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to file a federal tax return. You will only file a tax return to the address above once, when you file Form W-7 to get an ITIN. In subsequent years, when you have an ITIN, you will file your tax return as directed in the form instructions. If you must send original documents, you can send the IRS a prepaid express envelope with your application to have them returned faster.

1. 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.
2. After you get your relevant documents certified, you can send your application to the IRS, accompanied by a signed W-7 form (also known as ‘Application for IRS Individual Tax Identification Number’).
3. Note, however, that having an ITIN doesn’t necessarily qualify one to work or reside in the United States.
4. But due to potential processing delays, it’s advisable that you add some extra wiggle room.
5. An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a crucial tool for non-resident aliens who need to file U.S. tax returns.

For federal agencies

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 privacy policy 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).

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. An original (or a certified copy) of your passport (which must be unexpired) is the only document the IRS will accept for both identity and foreign status.

The IRS will accept documents issued within 12 months of the application if no expiration date is normally available. Firstly, you will need to complete and sign Form W-7 as part of the ITIN application. If you just need to file Form 8843 (had no taxable US income) then you likely will not need an ITIN either.

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 retail accounting 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.