Get an ITIN and enjoy the benefits of living in the USA

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issues Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) to people who are required to have a U.S. taxpayer identification number but who do not have, and are not eligible for, a Social Security number (SSN). ITINs are used by people who have tax filing or payment obligations under U.S. law, but who are not eligible for an SSN. ITINs are also used by dependents or spouses of U.S. citizens or resident aliens, as well as by dependents or spouses of nonresident aliens engaged in trade or business in the United States. An ITIN is not valid for employment purposes. If you have an ITIN and want to work in the United States, you must apply for an employment authorization document from the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. ITINs come with a lot of great benefits that can help you out in a number of different ways. For starters, ITINs allow you to open up an interest-bearing bank account. This can be a big help if you're trying to save up money and grow your finances. Additionally, ITINs can be used to get a driver's license in some states. This can be extremely helpful if you need to get around but don't have a SSN. Finally, ITINs can be used as proof of residency. This can come in handy if you need to show how long you've been in the United States. All in all, ITINs provide a lot of great benefits that can be extremely helpful for immigrants.

ITIN Frequently Asked Questions

What is an ITIN?

An ITIN allows foreign nationals and other individuals who are not eligible for a SSN to comply with U.S. tax laws

• The ITIN was created for tax purposes.

• ITINs are not SSNs.

• Many immigrants have ITINs.

Who needs an ITIN?

People who do not have a lawful status in the United States may obtain an ITIN. But other people who are lawfully present in the country and must pay taxes, but who may not be eligible for a SSN, may also obtain an ITIN, including:

• A foreign national legally residing in the United States who, based on number of days in the country, is filing a U.S. tax return.

• A foreign national who is a student, professor, or researcher in the United States and is filing a U.S. tax return, but does not qualify to receive a SSN.

• A dependent or spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

•  A dependent or spouse of a foreign national on a temporary visa.

Does an ITIN provide legal status or work authorization?

• An ITIN does not provide legal immigration status and cannot be used to prove legal presence in the United States.

• An ITIN does not provide work authorization and cannot be used to prove work authorization on an I-9 form.

Do ITIN holders pay taxes?

• ITINs allow people without SSNs pay taxes. 

• ITIN holders are not eligible for all of the tax benefits and public benefits that U.S. citizens and other taxpayers can receive but there are so many benefits for ITIN holders such as the child tax credit

Benefits to having an ITIN

• Build your credit. Individuals with an ITIN can apply for credit cards and start building their credit. This will open the door to so many other financial products on the market.

• Securing a driver’s license. Some states have allowed the ITIN to be used instead of a SSN in order to receive a driver’s license, driver’s permit, or state identification card.

• Providing proof of residency. At some point in the future, an immigrant may need to prove how long he or she has been in the United States and having a tax return filed using an ITIN is one way to show that.

• Buying a home. Home ownership is possible once you have an ITIN and you are paying your taxes. There are several mortgage companies who will grant you a loan to realize this dream.

• Health and Life Insurance. Get access to policies that improve your quality of life and help your loved ones even after.

• Starting a business. Get your business started with your ITIN and build the life you deserve even while you are out of status.
  

Is the ITIN a way for the government to track undocumented immigrants?

• The ITIN is not an immigration-enforcement tool. The application process is designed to facilitate tax payment, and the fact that the IRS does not generally share applicants’ private information with immigration enforcement agencies is key to tax compliance.

• Taxpayer privacy is an important cornerstone of the U.S. tax system. Because applicants provide the IRS with a great amount of personal information, privacy is critical to the success of the program. Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code states that the IRS is not authorized to release taxpayer information to other government agencies except for providing information to the Treasury Department for investigations that pertain to tax administration, or under a federal court order related to a non-tax criminal investigation. Expanding information-sharing beyond this would require a new law—an issue that arises often during legislative debates.