Anyone who is unable to obtain the Social Security Number (SSN) but is required to furnish a federal tax identification number, or to file a federal tax return and falls into one of the following categories.
- Non-resident alien required to file US tax return
- US resident alien who is filing a US tax return
- Dependent or spouse of US citizen/resident alien or of a non-resident alien visa holder
- Non-resident alien claiming a tax treaty benefit, or student, professor or researcher filing a US tax return or claiming an exception
Please note that ITIN doesn’t approve you to work in the USA, doesn’t enable you for Social Security benefits, nor qualify as dependent for Earned Income Tax Credit purposes.
You also have to file a U.S federal tax return with Form w-7 unless you meet one of the exceptions listed below.
EXCEPTION #1
NOTE: FEDERAL TAX WITHHOLDING AND/OR INFORMATION REPORTING MUST TAKE PLACE WITHIN THE CURRENT TAX YEAR
Third-Party Withholding on Passive Income
1(a) Individuals who are partners of a U.S. or foreign partnership that invests in the United States and that owns assets that generate income subject to IRS information reporting and federal tax withholding requirements; or
1(a-r) A copy of the portion of the partnership or LLC agreement displaying the partnership’s employer identification number and showing that you’re a partner in the partnership that is conducting business in the United States.
1(b) Individuals who have opened an interest-bearing bank deposit account that generates income that is effectively connected with their U.S. trade or business and is subject to IRS information reporting and/or federal tax withholding; or
1(b-r) A signed letter from the bank on its official letterhead, displaying your name and stating that you’ve opened a business account that is subject to IRS information reporting and/or federal tax withholding on the interest generated during the current tax year.
1(c) Individuals who are “resident aliens” for tax purposes and have opened an interest-bearing bank deposit account that generates income subject to IRS information reporting and/or federal tax withholding; or
1(c-r) A signed letter from the bank on its official letterhead, displaying your name and stating that you’ve opened an individual deposit account that is subject to IRS information reporting and/or federal tax withholding on the interest generated during the current tax year.
1(d) Individuals who are receiving distributions during the current tax year of income such as pensions, annuities, rental income, royalties, dividends, etc., and are required to provide an ITIN to the withholding agent (for example, an investment company, insurance company, or financial institution, etc.) for the purposes of tax withholding and/or reporting requirements.
1(d-r) A signed letter or document from the withholding agent, on official letterhead, showing your name and verifying that an ITIN is required to make distributions to you during the current tax year that are subject to IRS information reporting and/or federal tax withholding. Self-generated income statements will only be accepted with a copy of the contract or a letter with a postmarked envelope addressed from the withholding agent.
EXCEPTION #2
NOTE: FEDERAL TAX WITHHOLDING AND/OR INFORMATION REPORTING MUST TAKE PLACE WITHIN THE CURRENT TAX YEAR
2(a). Wages, Salary, Compensation, and Honoraria Payments
Claiming the benefits of a tax treaty
Persons who are eligible to claim Exception 2(a) include:
Individuals claiming the benefits of a tax treaty who:
– Are either exempt or subject to a reduced rate of withholding of tax on their wages, salary, compensation, and honoraria payments;
and
– Will be submitting Form 8233 to the payer of the income.
Documentation you must submit if you’re eligible to claim Exception 2(a-r):
– A letter of employment from the payer of the income, or
– A copy of the employment contract, or
– A letter requesting your presence for a speaking engagement, etc.;
along with:
– Evidence (information) on the Form W-7 that you’re entitled to claim the benefits of a tax treaty, and
– A copy of the completed withholding agent’s portion of Form 8233 attached to the Form W-7.
2(b). Scholarships, Fellowships, and Grants
Claiming the benefits of a tax treaty
Persons who are eligible to claim Exception 2(b) include:
Individuals claiming the benefits of a tax treaty who: other individual);
and
Will be submitting Form W-8BEN to the withholding agent.
Note: Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-approved institutions for nonresident alien students and exchange visitors and their spouses and dependents classified under section 101(a)(15)(F), (M), or (J) of the Immigration and Nationality Act {8 U.S.C. 1101(a) (15)(F), (M), or (J)}: A certification letter is required for each Form W-7 application: primary, associated secondary (spouse), and dependent(s).
The certification letter from an SEVP-approved institution serves as a substitute for submission of original supporting identification documents with Form W-7. The certification letter must:
– Be on original, official college, university, or institution letterhead with a verifiable address;
– Provide the applicant’s full name and Student Exchange Visitor’s Information System (SEVIS) number;
– Certify the applicant’s registration in SEVIS;
– Certify that the student presented an unexpired passport, visa, or other identification documents for review;
– List the identification documents provided to verify identity and foreign status;
– Be signed and dated by a SEVIS official: Principal Designated School Official (PDSO), Designated School Official (DSO), Responsible Officer (RO), or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) of a certified school exchange program with a verifiable contact telephone number;
– Attach copies of documents used to verify the applicant’s identity and foreign status from the approved list of documents presented in the Form W-7 instructions (passport must include copy of valid visa issued by the U.S. Department of State); Attach a copy of DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (J-1) Status and/or a copy of the I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status;
– Attach a copy of the Form W-8BEN submitted to the withholding agent;
– Form W-7 must include the treaty country and article number that supports claiming a tax treaty benefit; and
– Include a letter from the DSO or RO stating that the applicant won’t be securing employment in the U.S. or receiving any type of income from personal services.
Documentation you must submit if you’re eligible to claim Exception 2(b-r):
– A letter or official notification from the college or university awarding the noncompensatory scholarship, fellowship, or grant; or
– A copy of a contract with a college, university, or educational institution;
along with:
– A copy of your passport showing the valid visa issued by the U.S. Department of State,
– Evidence (information) on the Form W-7 that you’re entitled to claim the benefits of a tax treaty,
– A copy of the Form W-8BEN that was submitted to the withholding agent, and
– A letter from the Social Security Administration2 stating that you’re ineligible to receive a social security number (SSN).
If you’re a student on an F-1, J-1, or M-1 visa who won’t be working while studying in the United States, you won’t have to apply for an SSN. You will be permitted to provide a letter from the Designated School Official (DSO) or Responsible Officer (RO) stating that you won’t be securing employment in the United States or receiving any type of income from personal services.
2(c). Scholarships, Fellowships, and Grants
Not claiming benefits of a tax treaty
Persons who are eligible to claim Exception 2(c) include:
Individuals receiving noncompensatory income from scholarships, fellowships, or grants (that is, foreign students, scholars, professors, researchers, or any other individual) that is subject to IRS information reporting and/or withholding requirements during the current year.
Documentation you must submit if you’re eligible to claim Exception 2(c-r):
– A letter or official notification from the educational institution (that is, college or university) awarding the noncompensatory scholarship, fellowship, or grant; or
– A copy of a contract with a college, university, or educational institution;
along with:
– A copy of your passport showing the valid visa issued by the U.S. Department of State,
– A letter from the DSO or RO stating that you’re receiving noncompensatory income from scholarships, fellowships, or grants that is subject to IRS information reporting and/or federal tax withholding requirements during the current year (this letter must be attached to your Form W-7 or your application for an ITIN will be denied), and
– A letter from the Social Security Administration3 stating that you’re ineligible to receive a social security number (SSN).
If you’re a student on an F-1, J-1, or M-1 visa who won’t be working while studying in the United States, you won’t have to apply for an SSN. You will be permitted to provide a letter from the DSO or RO stating that you won’t be securing employment in the United States or receiving any type of income from personal services.
EXCEPTION #3
NOTE: FEDERAL TAX WITHHOLDING AND/OR INFORMATION REPORTING MUST TAKE PLACE WITHIN THE CURRENT TAX YEAR
Third-Party Reporting of Mortgage Interest
Persons who are eligible to claim Exception 3 include:
Individuals with a home mortgage loan on real property located in the United States
Documentation you must submit if you’re eligible to claim Exception 3:
A copy of a contract of sale indicating mortgage used for purchase of a home.
EXCEPTION #4
NOTE: FEDERAL TAX WITHHOLDING AND/OR INFORMATION REPORTING MUST TAKE PLACE WITHIN THE CURRENT TAX YEAR
Third-Party Withholding—Disposition by a Foreign Person of U.S. Real Property Interest
A withholding obligation generally is imposed on a buyer or other transferee (withholding agent) when the buyer acquires a U.S. real property interest from a foreign person. In some instances, the foreign person may apply for a withholding certificate to reduce or eliminate withholding on the disposition of real property.
If you’re eligible to claim Exception 4, you must submit:
– A completed Form 8288, or Form 8288-A, and/or Form 8288-B; and
– A copy of the real estate sales contract.
Note: For the seller of the property, copies of the sales contract, and copies of Forms 8288 and 8288-A submitted by the buyer need to be attached to Form W-7.
EXCEPTION #5
NOTE: FEDERAL TAX WITHHOLDING AND/OR INFORMATION REPORTING MUST TAKE PLACE WITHIN THE CURRENT TAX YEAR
Reporting Obligations under TD 9363
If you’re eligible to claim Exception 5, you must submit Form W-7 and Form 13350 along with a letter from your employer on corporate letterhead stating you have been designated as the person responsible for ensuring compliance with IRS information reporting requirements.