In this guide to getting an ITIN, you will learn:
Why is an ITIN needed?
ITIN, or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, is an ID number used by non-U.S. residents for tax purposes. If you cannot get a US Social Security Number, you will need to apply for an ITIN. Your ITIN will allow you to get a refund of income tax, file taxes, and claim tax benefits, and it may allow you to open a bank account or apply for a loan.
Remember, having an ITIN doesn’t grant you access to work or income in the U.S. Also, Unlike a joint bank account, where two people can share the same account number, each person listed on a tax form must have his/her own ITIN number.
You can use your ITIN to:
Do I need an ITIN if I have an EIN?
An ITIN is a tax processing number for individuals who aren’t eligible for a United States SSN; whereas, an Employer Identification Number (EIN) is the tax processing number for businesses.
They are both tax processing numbers, but they are used for different entity types. A business owner who is not eligible for an SSN may need to apply for an ITIN for his or her individual tax filings and an EIN for his or her business’ tax filings.
Who should apply for an ITIN?
IRS issues ITINs to foreign nationals and others who have federal tax reporting or filing requirements and do not qualify for SSNs. Examples of individuals who need an ITIN include:
Information needed to get an ITIN:
*You can apply for your ITIN without your tax return if any of the following applies to you:
If you meet any of these circumstances, you may be able to apply for ITIN without a federal tax return, but all require some form of documentation.
Best time to apply for an ITIN
You can file year-round with your Form W-7 with your tax return information. You can also file any time you have a reporting requirement.
Jumpstarts ITIN services are also available year-round, helping you apply for an ITIN.
Getting an ITIN
Complete Form W-7 and mail it to the IRS along with your passport and some additional documentation.
You can also contact the ITIN acceptance agents listed by the IRS for additional help. They have agents in the United States and some internationally as well.
You can also use an ITIN certified acceptance agent provided by Jumpstart who can review your application and documents for you so you don't need to physically mail in anything.
How long does it take?
If accepted, within seven weeks of mailing the IRS your information, you will receive a letter assigning you your ITIN.
Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, ITIN processing time takes an average of 8 to 10 weeks once your application is submitted to the IRS.
This is the fastest time the IRS currently takes to process ITIN applications.
This can be a long process with uncertainty as you wait. Jumpstart's ITIN service has a dedicated team that follows up with the IRS to make sure your application is completed.
Jumpstarts ITIN Service
We specialize in helping foreigners get ITINs.
First, We assign you an ITIN specialist. Your ITIN specialist will guide you through every step and review your application with experts to minimize the chance of rejection.
Second, We certify your ID for you. No need to mail your passport. As CAAs (certified acceptance agent), we are certified and trained by the IRS to certify your identification documents ourselves. Because we offer in-house IRS CAAs, you do not have to physically mail anything yourself.
Lastly, We handle your paperwork. Save time by letting us complete your paperwork. Our 24/7 Customer Service ensures your get processed quickly.
How it works:
You can use Jumpstart with confidence because our ITIN service comes with a 100% Money Back Guarantee. Our guarantee is simple: if for any reason, your ITIN application gets rejected, we will immediately issue you a full refund, no questions asked. That way we take on all of the risks for you. 100% Risk-Free.
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