Nonresident taxpayers
U.S.-source income, federal filing obligations or treaty-related tax matters can create an ITIN need when an SSN is not available.
Explore ITIN support →
ITIN SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
A clearer way to prepare your U.S. ITIN application.
Form W-7 guidance, supporting-document review and practical filing options for people who need a U.S. Individual Taxpayer Identification Number and are not eligible for a Social Security Number.
✓ ITINs are issued only by the IRS. We help organize the application, supporting documents and filing route before submission.
U.S. ITIN application support
Form W-7 · ITIN · CAA
01
Form W-7 focused
Application reason, return or exception
02
International applicants
U.S. and overseas filing situations
03
Document-first review
Identify and foreign-status requirements
WHO WE HELP
Who may need an ITIN
An ITIN is tied to a federal tax purpose. The exact Form W-7 reason, tax-return requirement and supporting documents depend on the applicant’s situation.
Spouses and dependents
Certain spouses and dependents may need an ITIN for an allowable tax benefit or for their own federal filing requirement.
Investors and property owners
U.S. investment or real-property transactions can create federal reporting or withholding requirements that call for an ITIN.
Students and researchers
Certain scholarship, withholding, treaty or tax-filing situations may require an ITIN when the applicant is not eligible for an SSN.
CAA PROCESS
Know the document process before you begin
A Certifying Acceptance Agent can review Form W-7, authenticate many identity documents within IRS limits, conduct the required interview and prepare the package for the applicable IRS filing route.
See the CAA process →
01
Form W-7 review
Check the application reason, required fields and consistency with the tax filing basis.
02
Document authentication
Review eligible identity and foreign-status documents under current IRS authentication rules.
03
Applicant interview
Complete the required interview while the CAA has the required original documents or issuing-agency certified copies in hand.
04
Certificate and submission
Prepare the certification and submit the completed ITIN package through the appropriate IRS route.
7
weeks
IRS PROCESSING TIME
Timing guide →
Current ITIN processing guidance
The IRS currently advises applicants to allow about 7 weeks for an ITIN status notification. It may take 9–11 weeks during peak filing season or when the application is filed from overseas.
9–11 weeks · peak season / overseas
FILING OPTIONS
Three ways to submit an ITIN application
The right route depends on your location, supporting documents and whether you are comfortable mailing original identity documents.
Mail directly to the IRS
Send Form W-7, the federal tax return or qualifying exception documents, and the required originals or issuing-agency certified copies.
↗IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center
Selected IRS offices can authenticate certain supporting documents by appointment.
↗Certifying Acceptance Agent
A CAA can review Form W-7 and authenticate most eligible supporting documents within IRS limits.
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RESOURCES
Useful ITIN guides
Focused pages for common filing questions.
RESOURCES
Read the guide →
Applying for an ITIN from outside the United States
Understand the filing routes and document options available to applicants outside the U.S.
01
ITIN renewal
When an ITIN expires, when renewal is required and how Form W-7 is used.
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02
Supporting documents
Passport rules, certified copies and accepted document types.
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03
Apply from abroad
Mail, CAA and document options for applicants outside the United States.
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04
Form W-7 exceptions
When an ITIN application may be filed without attaching a federal tax return.
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05
Foreign property & ITIN
ITIN issues connected with FIRPTA and U.S. real-property transactions.
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IRS FACTS
What should you know before applying for an ITIN?
These IRS rules are useful checkpoints before choosing a filing route or sending identity documents.
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Federal tax purpose
An ITIN is a federal tax-processing number for people who need a U.S. taxpayer identification number but are not eligible for an SSN. -
13 document types
The IRS accepts 13 types of supporting documents. A passport is generally the only stand-alone document proving both identity and foreign status. -
7 weeks
The IRS advises allowing about 7 weeks for an ITIN status notice; it can take 9–11 weeks during peak season or for applications filed from overseas. -
IRS makes the decision
A CAA can review Form W-7 and authenticate eligible documents within IRS rules, but only the IRS issues an ITIN.
Official IRS references
Primary-source links used for the key facts above.
Start with your filing reason and the documents you already have.
Send a short case summary by email. Sensitive identity documents do not need to be included in the first message.