How to Obtain an ITIN Number from Abroad

People, who live outside of the United States, but plan to reside there permanently, need an ITIN number. Fortunately, they do not need to travel to the country to obtain an ITIN number, as they can do it from abroad. They will need to submit their application to the Internal Revenue Service or IRS who then, after processing their application, will issue them and their dependants with an ITIN number.

Who is Eligible for an ITIN Number?

An individual can be living in the United States as a resident alien or non-resident alien, but in both cases will be eligible for an ITIN number. In order to qualify for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, they need to file for a legitimate federal income tax return. Keep in mind that this only applies to resident aliens only. The reason non-resident aliens cannot apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number from abroad is because they are undocumented.

How Can You Apply for an ITIN Number from Abroad?

Individuals living across the pond from the United States can apply for an ITIN number by visiting a public accounting firm situated abroad. The public accounting firms are known as Authorized Acceptance Agents who you can visit to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

Another method you can use to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number is to send your application to the Internal Revenue Service by mail. The IRS will accept your Form W-7, only if you send original or certified copy of the documents issued by the agency along with it.

How Many Documents Will You Need to File?

In total, there are thirteen documents listed in the Form W-7 that you can use to prove your identity and foreign status. If you submit a passport, you will not need to submit any other documents to prove your foreign identity. In the instance you do not submit a passport, you will need to submit a minimum of two documents along with a picture to prove your foreign identity.

Remember that the documents need to be certified by the government agency, domestic or foreign, which issued the copies or the employees working in the U.S. State Department situated in the consulates or U.S. embassies abroad. Moreover, you should know that your ITIN number would expire after five years from the date it was issued. If your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number expires, you will need to reapply for it once again. In doing so, it will give the Internal Revenue Service an opportunity to interact with people on options to refresh or cancel information mentioned in their previous ITIN. The practice of renewing your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number was not established to cause inconvenience to resident and non-resident aliens, but it was to ensure that people with valid tax purposes apply for an ITIN.

People who have plans to reside in the United States should consider applying for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. If your ITIN has expired, you should renew and update it, if necessary.

If you want to apply for an, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or ITIN tax number and have any other questions, please feel free to contact us at 888-509-3616. If you have any suggestions please share those with us as well. Freedomtax ITIN Number has a professional team of IRS Certifying Acceptance Agents, and tax accounting professionals with more than 16 years of experience, helping immigrants with their ITIN application. Freedomtax can also help immigrant entrepreneurs incorporate a business in the USA. Freedomtax ITIN Tax Number Online services provides Quality, Professional Service with a Family Feel.