What is an ITIN?

The ITIN was introduced to allow foreign nationals, and migrants awaiting lawful status, to pay the correct taxes in the US. It’s not an immigrant enforcement tool, and the IRS never shares applicant information with any other government agency.

An ITIN is a 9-digit number that always begins with the number 9, and is formatted like this:

9XX-XX-XXXX.

ITINs shouldn’t be confused with a Social Security Number (SSN), another 9-digit number issued by the Social Security Administration.

What is an ITIN used for?

An ITIN is used by the IRS to process and track tax payments made by individuals not eligible to receive an SSN.

Although an ITIN doesn’t entitle holders to Social Security benefits or Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), it does allow them to claim Child Tax Credit. This is useful to know, particularly for young families, as it entitles children under the age of 6 to $3,600 in credit and children aged 7-18 to $3,000. This does, though, also depend on an applicant family’s income.

An ITIN also allows individuals without an SSN to open a bank account – for more information on this, take a look at our blog: How to Open a Bank Account in the US as a Non-Citizen. What’s more, an ITIN can be used to obtain a driver’s licence or permit, and it can also be used to indicate proof and duration of residency in the US.

However, an ITIN does not provide work authorisation, and cannot be used on a I-9 employment form.

Who needs an ITIN?

An ITIN works in place of an SNN, and allows foreign nationals, either lawful or unlawful, to comply with US tax laws. Any foreign national living, working, and filing tax returns in the US needs an ITIN.

If you’ve received an ITIN number, your spouse and dependents are also eligible for an ITIN.

ITIN vs. SSN: what’s the difference?

An SSN, or Social Security Number, is an official identification number granted to US citizens and some other residents for taxing income, and calculating benefits. An SSN is issued by the Social Administration, after the completion of an SS-5 form, and used to track a citizen’s yearly income and number of years worked. These figures are then used to determine potential state-backed financial benefits, including pension, disability income, and health insurance.

An SSN can also be used as identification when applying for a bank account, a loan, unemployment benefits, passport, driver’s licence, as an identifier on tax returns, and when enrolling in health insurance.

Although an ITIN can be used in place of an SSN, it cannot be used by foreign nationals to apply for a passport - or to claim any Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Social Security benefits.

How do I apply for an ITIN?

There are 3 ways to apply for an ITIN:

1. Via an IRS-authorised Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA)

These agents are both national and international, and you can find a list here. Simply book an appointment, and make sure you bring the correct documents (more on this below).

2. At a designated IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC)

Book an appointment at a center within your US state of residence – you’ll find a list of designated centers here. Again, make sure you bring the correct documents.

3. Mail your application

If you’d rather not visit a CAA or TAC in person, you can simply download, print, and then mail a completed W-7 form. You’ll need to include original or certified copies of documents proving your identity. We also recommend checking on the IRS site for the latest ITIN information.

What documents do I need for my ITIN application?

There are currently 13 different documents the IRS will accept as proof of identity and foreign status, which they need in order to grant you an ITIN number. Each document must be valid, and within the expiration date, and must also show your foreign status.

A passport is the only standalone document that proves both identity and foreign status – otherwise, a combination of 2 or more documents must be submitted. Here are the accepted documents:

• Passport (standalone document)

• National identification card (must show photo, name, current address, date of birth, and expiration date)

• US driver's licence

• Civil birth certificate (required for dependents under 18 years of age)

• Foreign driver's licence

• US state identification card

• Foreign voter's registration card

• US military identification card

• Foreign military identification card

• Visa

• US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) photo identification

• Medical records (dependents only, under 6)

• School records (dependents only, under 14, under 18 if a student)

Again, we recommend checking on the IRS site for any recently updated ITIN information.

How much does it cost to get an ITIN number?

Good news, an ITIN number is completely free. All you need to do is complete the form and supply the correct documents.

How long does it take to get an ITIN?

If your application is completed correctly, and you qualify for an ITIN, you’ll usually receive a letter from the IRS assigning your ITIN number within 7 weeks.

Where can I find my ITIN number?

You can find your ITIN number on your tax returns, and any correspondence from the IRS. If you’re unable to find these documents, you can contact the IRS directly, and they’ll disclose your ITIN number to you.

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ITIN numbers: FAQs

Can a non-US citizen receive an ITIN?

Yes, ITINs are issued for foreign nationals not eligible for an SSN. ITINs allow foreign nationals living in the US to comply with tax laws, and can also be issued for a recipient’s spouse and dependents.

Can I have both an ITIN and an SSN?

No, an ITIN is issued in place of an SSN. If you’re eligible for an SSN, you don’t need an ITIN.

What are the benefits of an ITIN?

An ITIN can be used in place of an SSN to open a bank account. It can also be used to obtain a driver’s licence or permit, indicate proof of residency in the US, and apply for Child Tax Credit.

Disclaimer: The contents of this blog post does not constitute legal or financial advice and is provided for general information purposes only. If you require specific legal and / or financial advice you should contact a specialist lawyer or financial advisor. Information true at time of publishing.