Taxpayer asks:
¿Cómo puedo obtener un ITIN?
(How can I get an ITIN?)
Taxgirl says:
Since I get a lot of variations on the theme of this question (SSN/EIN/ITIN), I will answer a bunch of them at one time:
To get an SSN (Social Security Number), you will need to complete Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card (available online or by calling 1.800.772.1213). You also must submit evidence of your identity, age, and US citizenship or lawful alien status.
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is also known as a federal tax identification number and is used to identify a business entity. To get an EIN, you will need to complete form SS-4 (you can apply online).
IRS issues ITINs (Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers) to foreign nationals and others who have federal tax reporting or filing requirements and do not qualify for SSNs. An ITIN is a tax processing number only available for certain nonresident and resident aliens, their spouses, and dependents who cannot get an SSN. An ITIN is a 9-digit number, beginning with the number “9”, formatted like an SSN. To obtain an ITIN, you must complete IRS Form W-7, IRS Application for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. You will have to show proof of foreign/alien status.
If you have questions about which number is most appropriate for you, contact your tax professional. If you cannot afford legal or accounting services, do not ignore the ITIN requirement – you may be missing out on tax or other benefits that you would be entitled to receive. Contact legal services in your town or county – you might be eligible for free legal aid.
Before you go: be sure to read my disclaimer. Remember, I’m a lawyer and we love disclaimers.
If you have a question, here’s how to Ask The Taxgirl.
hi, i have been reading your comments and i am wondering if the person who has an ITIN don’t qualify for the tax rebate, what about the other people who do have a valid SS# and are US CITIZENS BY BIRTH. My daughters and I are US CITIZENS but my husband is not.Do we qualify or because my husband USES/HAS an ITIN WE LOSE OUT!
IF A PERSON WORKS FOR A COMPANY UNDER THE NAME OF JOE BUT IN REALLTY THE PERSON’S REAL NAME IS TOM AND THE ITIN IS UNDER THE NAME OF TOM AND W2 UNDER THE NAME OF JOE. CAN TOM DO HIS TAXES WITH JOE’S W2.
my spouse is a us citizen and he files for taxes but we got married on juli 28 2007 and we had file papers for a green card but they got lost and we need to refile so i haven’t receive a ssn and my husband can’t file tax with me and he is suppose to receive about $7.000 of return tax but since he can’t claim me because i don;t have a ssn he won’t get any of it back, i was told that i can apply for a itin so he cn file taxes with me as a married person and father but i don’t know if i am aligable for an itin, what do you think?
If you have not yet filed for a SSN and you are not eligible for a SSN, you do need to file for an ITIN; if your spouse is a citizen, you would qualify. If your SSN application is pending (I can’t tell from your comment), you should not file for an ITIN.
Mel: No, the IRS will catch this. And I think you’re begging for trouble. You need to consult with an attorney.
Denise, I think you do lose out since folks who use ITINs don’t qualify. If you have income, you might want to consider filing separately to take advantage of your SSN. Of course, this could also result in a greater tax liability depending on your situation – make sure that you check with your tax preparer.
i am married to a us citizen but i havent apply for my residence yet for economic causes.. and i wanna apply for a itin number and possibly get some tax returns….but getting a itin number it would be bad for the day when i apply for my residence?..it would cause me any trouble?…and what kind of documents should i send to the irs to get a itin number?..
Wow Taxgirl, thanks for making a really confusing issue clear. Lucky I found your site because I was about to apply only for an EIN thinking it was easier than the ITIN. Guess I’ll just have to wait for all the ITIN paperwork.
Already read the IRS guidelines….. argh! Now I have new found appreciation for the New Zealand tax system which is much simplier.
Blessings,
K.
I need to file my taxes for 2009 (even though I was unemployed)because I cashed out my 401k for approx. $8300. In years past, I always filed head of household as I have a dependent child. However, I am now married and have been living with my husband since 2008-so I need to include my husband. BUT my husband is not eligible for a ITIN (Ind. Taxpayer ID No.) and although he is a green card holder-a SS no. was never sent to him. He cannot get a SS no. unless he appears stateside in person and he cannot do that because we are physically in Spain. How do I file my taxes? I no longer qualify for head of household and I cannot file married filing seperately without mentioning my spouse. PLEASE HELP!!!
Teresa, if your husband is a green card holder, it’s likely that he needs to file, too. You should check with the SSA – and consider getting an extension until you get this sorted out.
My fiance at one point years ago had an itin. He has not been working for a couple of years but what I want to know is when we get married being that I am US citizen and we have son do I need to file with him as my husband and use the same itin he had or does he have to get a new itin since his was years ago and now status changed. I now am head of household but after we get married how do we file. We are both in US.
i am currently using my itin for filling taxes as i dont have ssn yet. my question is can i declare my 4 children dependent?..i just got an itin number for each of them but they are not leaving with me. they are in our hometown/other country schooling and sending them support every month.