How to get an ITIN number Without an SSN?

The Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN number) is for individuals who do not have a Social Security Number, and the process of obtaining an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is important in accessing various financial services and fulfilling tax obligations. Social Security Number (SSN) and Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) serve different purposes in the United States tax system. An ITIN number is a unique identification number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to individuals who are required to have a taxpayer identification number for tax purposes but are not eligible to receive a Social Security Number.

What is SSN?

SSN stands for Social Security Number. It is a unique nine-digit identification number issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in the United States. The primary purpose of the number is to track individuals for Social Security purposes such as retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.

Social Security Numbers are typically issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to individuals who are authorized to work in the United States. Main groups of people who typically receive SSNs:

• U.S. Citizens
• Permanent Residents (Green Card Holders)
• Non-Citizen Residents: This includes individuals with certain types of visas, such as those with employment authorization (e.g., H-1B visa holders), refugees, and asylees.
• Temporary Workers: Individuals with temporary work visas, such as H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, or L-1 visas.
• Dependents of Social Security Number. Holders

The Social Security Number is also commonly used as a form of identification in a variety of other contexts, such as employment, opening a bank account, obtaining loans, applying for government benefits, and filing taxes. Many businesses and organizations use Social Security Numbers to verify a person’s identity and establish financial or legal relationships.

What is the ITIN Number?

An individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a tax processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS issues ITINs to individuals who are required to have a U.S. taxpayer identification number but do not have and are ineligible to receive a Social Security number.

ITIN number help individuals comply with U.S. tax laws. Immigration status is not important for obtaining an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers are required for federal tax reporting.

Requirements to have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number;

• Nonresident alien who must file a U.S. tax return
• U.S. resident alien who files a U.S. tax return (based on days in the United States)
• Dependent or spouse of a US citizen/resident alien
• Dependent or spouse of the non-resident alien visa holder
• Non-resident alien claiming tax treaty benefits
• Nonresident alien student, professor, or researcher filing a U.S. tax return or claiming an exemption

How to get the ITIN number

To obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), follow these steps:

• Determine Eligibility:
• Complete Form W-7:
• Gather Supporting Documents:
• Attach Tax Return (if required):
• Submit Application to IRS:
• Follow-up and Waiting Procedures:
• Use your ITIN

To avoid delays or issues with your ITIN application, it is important to ensure that you follow the instructions carefully and provide all required documentation.

Required Documents

The number of documents accepted as identity and foreignness documents to obtain ITIN is determined by the IRS as 13 documents.

All documentation must be current and include an expiration date. If there is no expiration date, the Revenue Administration will accept documents submitted within 12 months of the application.

All documents must include name and photograph. The documents must also support your request for alien status. If your original documents are needed for any purpose within 60 days of submitting an ITIN number application, an in-person application must be filed with the IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center or CAA.

Acceptable documents:

• Passport (stand-alone document) 
• National identification card (must show photo, name, current address, date of birth, and expiration date)
• U.S. driver’s license
• Civil birth certificate (required for dependents under 18 years of age)
• Foreign driver’s license
• U.S. state identification card
• Foreign voter’s registration card
• U.S. military identification card
• Foreign military identification card
• Visa
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) photo identification
• Medical records (dependents only – under 6)
• School records (dependents only – under 14, under 18 if a student)

What is the w-7 Form

Those who are not eligible for an SSN must file a federal tax return with the IRS. For non-US citizens, Form W-7 is used to apply for an individual taxpayer identification number.

Form W-7 includes questions such as:

Why the applicant needs an ITIN

Applicant’s name, postal address, and foreign address if different

Applicant’s date of birth and place of birth

Country of citizenship of the applicant

Foreign tax identification number of the applicant, if any

Applicant’s US visa number, if applicable

Details of documents submitted to verify the applicant’s identity

A tax return accompanied by one or more W-7 forms cannot be submitted electronically. You can send it in person to any IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center.

W-7 forms can be sent to:

Internal Revenue Service

Operation ITIN

P.O. Box 149342

Austin, Texas 78714-9342

It takes 6 to 10 weeks to receive the ITIN number. If the ITIN number has not been used to file a federal tax return within the last 3 years, it will expire at the end of the current year.

Verification and supporting documents

The verification process must go smoothly. Different documents may also be needed to complete the verification process.

Among these documents

E-mail address

Smartphone or computer with camera

ITIN number

Proof of ITIN: CP565 Statement or bank statement showing full ITIN

Two additional documents: one primary document and one secondary document or two primary documents; One of them must prove your address.

If you are submitting your ITIN renewal application by mail, you must include originals or issuer-certified copies of your identification documents and any other required attachments. You must also include the ITIN number assigned to you and the name under which it was issued online.

Mistakes to Avoid

It is necessary to avoid mistakes in the ITIN number application process. Applying without errors ensures that the processes continue quickly and easily.

Mistakes made may delay the ITIN application. These errors may result from missing information or insufficient supporting documentation. Failure to renew the ITIN on time may result in delays in receiving your refund.

Mistakes to avoid while applying to ITIN number include;

• Missing W-7 Applications
• Did not indicate the reason for applying 
• Missing a completed foreign address 
• Mailing the incorrect identification documents 
• Insufficient supporting documentation
• Did not include a tax return to validate a tax benefit 

To file a tax return, you must enter your ITIN number in the Social Security Number  field on the tax form, fill out the rest of the return, and submit your tax return (along with any additional forms) to the IRS.

How Much Does ITIN Application Coast?

ITIN number application is free. The first thing you need to do to obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is to submit Form W-7 to the IRS. The IRS does not charge any fee to apply for or receive an ITIN. If you have already filed and are trying to find a copy of the number, you should contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

There may be indirect costs related to the process that requires a fee. For example;

Certified Copies of Supporting Documents or postage costs.