Apply for a US ITIN Online
Non-US citizens need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to file US taxes and open financial accounts. Our partner is a Certified IRS Acceptance Agent and handles the full process for you, so you never mail your original passport.
What is an ITIN and do you need one?
An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is a tax processing number issued by the IRS to individuals who are not eligible for a Social Security Number. As a non-US citizen running a US business, you may need an ITIN to:
- File your US federal tax return
- Open a US business or personal bank account
- Claim tax treaty benefits
- Establish credit history in the US
Note: An ITIN is different from an EIN (Employer Identification Number). If you need an EIN for your business, BusinessAnywhere handles EIN applications in-house.
Partner
EIN-ITIN
CERTIFIED IRS ACCEPTANCE AGENT, EXPERT ITIN PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION
EIN-ITIN is an IRS Certified Acceptance Agent, which means they can verify your identity documents in-house and submit your application directly to the IRS. You do not need to mail your original passport or identity documents.
- IRS Certified Acceptance Agent status (no mailing of original documents)
- Expert W-7 form preparation and review
- Document verification completed in-house
- Step-by-step guidance throughout the process
- Processing time: 8 to 14 weeks, depending on IRS volume
Service fee: $245
IRS Certified Acceptance Agent
How the ITIN Application Process Works
Step 1: Submit your details
Complete the application form on EIN-ITIN's website.
Step 2: Document verification
EIN-ITIN verifies your identity documents. No originals required to be mailed.
Step 3: Application submitted to IRS
Your W-7 form is prepared and submitted directly to the IRS.
Step 4: Receive your ITIN
Processing typically takes 8 to 14 weeks, depending on IRS volume.
Who Needs an ITIN
The IRS issues an ITIN when you have a federal tax purpose and you are not eligible for a Social Security number. For non-resident founders that usually means one of these situations:
- You must file a US federal tax return or are named on one.
- You are a partner or member in a US LLC or partnership that reports income to you.
- You need to claim a benefit under a US tax treaty with your country.
- You have US source income subject to withholding and need to file or claim a refund.
- A bank or platform requires a US taxpayer identification number from you personally.
What an ITIN does not do. The IRS is explicit that an ITIN is for federal tax purposes only. It does not qualify you for Social Security benefits or the Earned Income Tax Credit, does not provide or change immigration status, does not authorize you to work in the United States, and does not serve as identification outside the federal tax system.
Source: IRS guidance on the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number and About Form W-7.
How Long an ITIN Takes
The IRS asks applicants to allow 7 weeks for notification of the application result. It states that this stretches to 9 to 11 weeks during filing season, which runs January 15 to April 30, or when the application is submitted from outside the United States.
Our partner quotes 8 to 14 weeks end to end, which accounts for document handling on top of IRS processing. Neither BusinessAnywhere nor the partner controls IRS processing time.
Applying through a Certified Acceptance Agent. A Certified Acceptance Agent verifies your identity documents directly, so your original passport stays with you. Applying on your own means mailing original documents or certified copies from the issuing agency to the IRS.
Need an EIN instead of an ITIN?
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is different from an ITIN. An EIN is a tax ID for your US business entity. You need it to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file business tax returns. An ITIN is a personal tax ID for you as an individual.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an ITIN and an EIN?
An ITIN is a personal tax ID for an individual who is not eligible for a Social Security number. An EIN is a tax ID for a business entity. If you are a non-resident founder with a US LLC, you may need both: an EIN for the company and an ITIN for your own US tax filings.
Who is eligible for an ITIN?
You are eligible when you have a federal tax purpose and you are not eligible for a Social Security number. Filing a US federal tax return, being a partner in a US LLC or partnership, or claiming a tax treaty benefit are the common reasons.
Do I have to mail my passport to apply for an ITIN?
Not when you apply through a Certified IRS Acceptance Agent. The agent verifies your identity documents directly and submits the application, so your original passport stays with you. Applying on your own means mailing original documents or certified copies from the issuing agency.
How long does it take to get an ITIN?
The IRS asks applicants to allow 7 weeks for notification, and says it takes 9 to 11 weeks during filing season from January 15 to April 30 or when applying from overseas. Our partner quotes 8 to 14 weeks end to end. IRS processing time is outside our control.
What does an ITIN not allow me to do?
The IRS issues an ITIN for federal tax purposes only. It does not qualify you for Social Security benefits or the Earned Income Tax Credit, does not provide or change immigration status, does not authorize you to work in the United States, and does not serve as identification outside the federal tax system.
Does an ITIN expire?
An ITIN that goes unused on a federal tax return for a period of years is deactivated by the IRS. If yours has expired and you need to file a return, it has to be renewed. Check your status against current IRS guidance before you file.
Can I open a US bank account with just an ITIN?
It depends on the bank. Some US banks accept an ITIN as the taxpayer identification number for a personal account, and others require more. For a business account the bank asks for the company EIN and formation documents rather than your personal ITIN.
How much does the ITIN application cost?
Our partner EIN-ITIN charges a service fee of $245. The IRS does not charge a fee to issue an ITIN itself.
Can I apply for an ITIN without filing a tax return?
Form W-7 is normally submitted together with the federal tax return that creates the need for the number. The IRS allows exceptions for certain situations, such as treaty benefit claims and some third party withholding cases. The partner reviews which applies to you before filing.
Ready to get your ITIN?
Create your BusinessAnywhere account and access EIN-ITIN directly from your dashboard.