Original documents will be returned to the address on record after processing your application. The IRS is currently processing Form W-7s within 11 weeks after receipt. We are taking every action to minimize delays, and we are processing requests in the order they were received. If you will need your original documents for any purpose within this processing timeframe, you may wish to apply in person at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center or CAA.
Q16: If I do not want to mail my original documents to the IRS when renewing my ITIN, do I have other options?
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Revised application standards for ITINs
For more information see Allowable Tax Benefits in the Instructions for Form W-7 PDF. If you have or are eligible to obtain a social security number, you are not eligible for an ITIN. 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). USA.gov is the new centralized place for finding government benefits for health care, housing, food, unemployment, and more.
Q14: Will the IRS accept an older version of the W-7 that has Renew an Existing ITIN written on it?
- To find a local CAA in your area, you can visit Acceptance Agent Program.
- 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.
- Dependents of U.S. military personnel can submit original documents, certified copies or notarized copies of identification documents.
Taxpayers and their representatives should review these changes, which are further explained in these frequently asked questions, before requesting an ITIN. They don’t entitle the taxpayer to Social Security benefits, stimulus payments, or other benefits. An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a tax processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service.
ITINs do not serve any purpose other than federal tax reporting. 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. If white collar workers definition economics this happens, you’ll need to resubmit all your materials – along with your most recently completed U.S. federal tax return. 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). 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.
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. 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. 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.
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. All Form W-7 applications, including renewals, must include a U.S. federal tax return unless you meet an exception to the filing requirement. 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. Any applicant who meets an exception to the requirement to file a tax return must provide documentation to support the exception (see the instructions for Form W-7). An ITIN may be assigned to an alien dependent from Canada or Mexico if that dependent qualifies a taxpayer for a child or dependent care credit (claimed on Form 2441).
Moreover, the steps for obtaining an ITIN become slightly more complex when reporting U.S. taxes while living abroad. Section 203 of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act, enacted on December 18, 2015, included provisions that affect the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) application process. Taxpayers and their representatives should review these changes, which are further explained in the ITIN Documentation Frequently Asked Questions, before requesting an ITIN.
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. You may be able to request a certified copy of documents at an embassy or consulate. However, services may vary between countries, so we recommend that you contact the accountant for independent contractor appropriate consulate or embassy for specific information. Even though the basic process for obtaining an ITIN is fairly straightforward, IRS forms are notoriously confusing for citizens and foreign nationals alike.