You must pay taxes if you intend to work in the United States. You’ll need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) if you’re not qualified for a Social Security Number (SSN) (ITIN).
The Internal Revenue Service, which collects and processes taxes in the United States, issues an ITIN. Your ITIN is a nine-digit number that starts with a nine and ends with either a seven or an 8. It’s a nine-digit number that always begins with a nine and ends with either a seven or an 8. An ITIN assures that you follow all of the United States’ tax laws. It also allows the IRS to process and account for your taxes, including your tax return paperwork and payments, in a more effective manner.
If you (1) do not have an SSN and (2) are ineligible yet must file a federal income tax return, you must obtain an ITIN. You must be one of the following to be eligible for an ITIN:
- Filing a tax return in the United States by a foreign national who is a resident of the United States.
- In the United States, a non-resident foreign national must file a tax return.
- The Claimant is a non-resident foreign national claiming a tax treaty benefit.
- On a U.S. tax return, a resident or non-resident foreign national who a U.S. citizen cannot claim as a dependant or a resident foreign national
- The Foreign national spouse who can be claimed as a dependent of a U.S. citizen on a tax return but is not filing a federal tax return, whether resident or non-resident
- If you are the spouse of a U.S. citizen and plan to file a joint federal tax return with your spouse, you must be a resident or non-resident foreign national.
- Non-resident professors, students, and researchers filing a federal tax return or claiming an exemption
- The Foreign nationals can be claimed as dependents or spouses of non-resident foreign nationals who are U.S. visa holders, whether resident or non-resident.
What are the ITIN’s limitations?
Yes, ITINs have restrictions. An ITIN can only submit federal income taxes; it can’t be used for anything else. The following are the limits of an ITIN:
- Social Security payments are not available to you because you are ineligible.
- Eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit is not available.
- This does not indicate employment authorization in the United States.
- You must have a federal income tax filing requirement, and you must file a proper income tax return unless you fulfill one of the exclusions.
- ITINs are only used for tax identification and do not act as acceptable identification for any other reason. Despite these restrictions, ITIN holders may qualify for the Child Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit, depending on their circumstances.
When is the best time to apply for an ITIN?
Fill out an application for an ITIN when you’re ready to file your first federal income tax return. Your tax return will be mailed in with your application.However, if you are not required to file a tax return because you qualify for one of the exceptions, you can submit Form W-7 and the supporting documents as soon as you can after determining that you are eligible.