An ITIN is a nine digit number that must be used on all statements and tax related documents if the individuals do not qualify for a Social Security Number in the US. To detail it further, both resident and nonresident alien individuals who are to get the benefits of a reduced rate of with holdings under the income tax treaty may have federal tax returns and payment responsibilities issued by the Internal Revenue Code or the nonresident aliens who are willing to file joint tax with their dependent spouses, the spouse being the resident of US need an ITIN.
The real estate brokers can use an ITIN to facilitate mortgages for unauthorized immigrants. This tax ID number is also needed by the foreign investors in the US real estate in order to file state tax returns to report the rental income. So does an alien spouse who is being claimed for exemption on the basis of US tax laws. Therefore ITIN is mandatory for all such alien taxpayers who are claimed as dependents on another person’s tax return and the non resident professors, students and researchers who want to apply for scholarships need an ITIN to claim an exception to the tax return filing requirement as well. The ITIN program was created so that millions of people can use it as an identity proof when opening a savings bank account or executing the other financial activities. Receiving an ITIN does not itself establish the right to work and receive income or provide eligibility for social security benefits. They are regarded as valid identity statements for the tax reporting only.
An individual who fulfills the eligibility requirements can apply for an ITIN but must reveal a federal tax purpose for seeking it. This involves submitting the IRS form W7, that contains a record of biographical information along with specified types of valid supporting national ID card, including name, address, date of birth, passport, US or foreign voter card, registration card, driving license and an original tax return attached to it. An ITIN application cannot be filed electronically. Also, any notarized copies of the documents are not accepted. Applications for ITIN along with two of the mentioned original documents are to be mailed to the designated address of IRS Taxpayers Assistance Centers in the United States. The ITIN issued to a person also expires if it is not used for three consecutive years. In all such cases the tax payers can reapply and get their ITIN renewed.
ITIN has played a major role in bringing more people into the US economy. Realizing the importance of ITIN in tracking the undocumented immigrants the federal government has also incorporated some individuals and business institutes as Certifying Acceptance Agents that work in a written agreement with the IRS for providing assistance to the taxpayers who need an ITIN help by verifying and returning back all the important papers while applying only. Also the applicants can call the IRS toll free numbers to check the status of their application or for further queries.
