Tax Identification Number

[aalam2 0]

Hi Guys,

Do you know if I can apply for Tax Identification number (TIN) for my spouse while her application (I-130) is being processed. I know I can not apply for SSN until she is here. But I would be able to include her in my tax return if she has a TIN number. Any one tried?

[sharif 0]

I have the same question too. I was reading the W-7 today and it said it should be filed with TAX paper which and it drove me crazy because I thought we should be used in the Tax paper. I know it can be done

[trailmix 77]

Who needs an ITIN?

IRS issues ITINs to foreign nationals and others who have federal tax reporting or filing requirements and do not qualify for SSNs. A non-resident alien individual not eligible for an SSN, who is required to file a U.S. tax return only to claim a refund of tax under the provisions of a U.S. tax treaty, needs an ITIN.

Examples of individuals who need ITINs include:

Non-resident alien filing a U.S. tax return and not eligible for an SSN

U.S. resident alien (based on days present in the United States) filing a U.S. tax return and not eligible for an SSN

Dependent or spouse of a U.S. citizen/resident alien

Dependent or spouse of a non-resident alien visa holder

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.html

It says you need to attach it to your return, so do your return for the year and attach the W7.

[simple_melanie 0]

I have the same question too. I was reading the W-7 today and it said it should be filed with TAX paper which and it drove me crazy because I thought we should be used in the Tax paper. I know it can be done

Yes I applyed for a ITIN for my foreign wife with my tax return last year (2006 tax year). You will need to send her passport in with your tax return. They will return her passport to your filing address in about six weeks with her ITIN number.

[sharif 0]

I have the same question too. I was reading the W-7 today and it said it should be filed with TAX paper which and it drove me crazy because I thought we should be used in the Tax paper. I know it can be done

Yes I applyed for a ITIN for my foreign wife with my tax return last year (2006 tax year). You will need to send her passport in with your tax return. They will return her passport to your filing address in about six weeks with her ITIN number.

what if I don't have her passport. On the form they put other document like USCIS and others

[simple_melanie 0]

I have the same question too. I was reading the W-7 today and it said it should be filed with TAX paper which and it drove me crazy because I thought we should be used in the Tax paper. I know it can be done

Yes I applyed for a ITIN for my foreign wife with my tax return last year (2006 tax year). You will need to send her passport in with your tax return. They will return her passport to your filing address in about six weeks with her ITIN number.

what if I don't have her passport. On the form they put other document like USCIS and others

They only seem interested in a passort (no copies). I tried with a BC and marriage cert. 1st which they sent back to me and ask for a passport. I had my wife express mail her passort to me via UPS and I gave it back to her next trip.

[ktmracer 0]

You do not have to send the passport. Just get the passport and make a copy of it and have it notarized here in the states, then send the copy.

[lubezee 0]

My husband applied for an ITIN number in order to file our taxes jointly for 2006.

I was not in the US yet, and had to have a copy of my passport notarised at the US Consulate in my country, which was accepted by the IRS and I was issued an ITIN number thereafter.

The first time round I just sent a copy of my passport notarised by an notary from my country, but that was not accepted by the IRS.

[prpplague 0]

we applied for a ITIN for my wife prior to her visa approval. here is a summary of what we learned 3 years ago, no idea if the rules have changed:

1. the return has to filed in paper format, it can not be electronically filed.

2. the section where your spouses SSN or ITIN is suppose to be filled in should be left blank or in the case of H&R block they had to put in "APPLIED" in the space provided so their software wouldn't complain.

3. the completed W-7 needs to be included and....

4. here is the kicker, you have to either include the passport with the application OR go to an IRS where they will photocopy the passport when accepting the tax return.

i went directly to the IRS office to file our return. the offices won't tell you but the office supervisor is authorized to make certified copies of foreign passports. i wait in line for about 30 minutes, the irs rep took the return, had the supervisor do the photocopy and said that was it. if you do go to the IRS office, make sure you record the date and time as well as the IRS rep's id number. there have been reports of "misplaced" returns with W-7's attached.

here is also a giant warning, after your spouse gets their SSN number you MUST, i repeat, MUST notify the IRS that the ITIN needs to be revoked in favor of the SSN. the IRS will not automatically void the ITIN after a SSN is assigned. i've been told that using the new SSN without voiding the ITIN will case a flag for getting audited.

[prpplague 0]

You do not have to send the passport. Just get the passport and make a copy of it and have it notarized here in the states, then send the copy.

i tried like 15 different notary services, none would certify a copy of a foreign passport. i don't know if it was just my bad luck or if there some rule regarding foreign documents.

[ktmracer 0]

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.html

What documents are acceptable as proof of identity and foreign status?

IRS has streamlined the number of documents the agency will accept as proof of identity to obtain an ITIN. There are now 13 acceptable documents.

An original, or a certified or notarized copy, of an UNEXPIRED passport is the only document that is accepted for both identity and foreign status.

[simple_melanie 0]

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.html

What documents are acceptable as proof of identity and foreign status?

IRS has streamlined the number of documents the agency will accept as proof of identity to obtain an ITIN. There are now 13 acceptable documents.

An original, or a certified or notarized copy, of an UNEXPIRED passport is the only document that is accepted for both identity and foreign status.

I recieved a letter from the IRS in Sept. 2007 that for a foriegn spouse I must submit a valid passport. Some of those acceptable ID's in the instructions do not apply for foreigners. They did reject a certified copy of her passport from DFW office in the Philippines. Here is the number for ITIN information 215-516-4846. I hope this will help.

[ktmracer 0]

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.html

What documents are acceptable as proof of identity and foreign status?

IRS has streamlined the number of documents the agency will accept as proof of identity to obtain an ITIN. There are now 13 acceptable documents.

An original, or a certified or notarized copy, of an UNEXPIRED passport is the only document that is accepted for both identity and foreign status.

I recieved a letter from the IRS in Sept. 2007 that for a foriegn spouse I must submit a valid passport. Some of those acceptable ID's in the instructions do not apply for foreigners. They did reject a certified copy of her passport from DFW office in the Philippines. Here is the number for ITIN information 215-516-4846. I hope this will help.

I got same letter for rejection and called that # and was told to just send in copy of bio page notarized here in the states. My spouse now has ITIN and we did file joint tax return. Oh yeah, good luck in trying to cash check since your spouse has to sign the refund check also and has to be present when trying to cash or you just have a joint bank account to deposit it in.

[prpplague 0]

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.html

What documents are acceptable as proof of identity and foreign status?

IRS has streamlined the number of documents the agency will accept as proof of identity to obtain an ITIN. There are now 13 acceptable documents.

An original, or a certified or notarized copy, of an UNEXPIRED passport is the only document that is accepted for both identity and foreign status.

I recieved a letter from the IRS in Sept. 2007 that for a foriegn spouse I must submit a valid passport. Some of those acceptable ID's in the instructions do not apply for foreigners. They did reject a certified copy of her passport from DFW office in the Philippines. Here is the number for ITIN information 215-516-4846. I hope this will help.

yea we went round and round about who could make a certified or notarized, it finally boiled down to either i had to send the passport in with the income tax return or take it in to the IRS office.

[rjp44 1]

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.html

What documents are acceptable as proof of identity and foreign status?

IRS has streamlined the number of documents the agency will accept as proof of identity to obtain an ITIN. There are now 13 acceptable documents.

An original, or a certified or notarized copy, of an UNEXPIRED passport is the only document that is accepted for both identity and foreign status.

I recieved a letter from the IRS in Sept. 2007 that for a foriegn spouse I must submit a valid passport. Some of those acceptable ID's in the instructions do not apply for foreigners. They did reject a certified copy of her passport from DFW office in the Philippines. Here is the number for ITIN information 215-516-4846. I hope this will help.

yea we went round and round about who could make a certified or notarized, it finally boiled down to either i had to send the passport in with the income tax return or take it in to the IRS office.

Here is another thing that can effect an ITIN. I called IRS because we sent in DS-230 in Oct. '07 and checked the box that we wanted a SSN issued. Found out the IRS considers this a SSN applied for and aliens can not hve both SSN and ITIN applied for. Since we won't be coming through POE until late March, there will not be enough time to get SSN before filing deadline of April 15th. IRS specialist advised me to make sure enough tax had been paid in to avoid owing anything and just file for automatic extension, then file taxes when SSN arrives. He told me "applied for" is no longer accepted in the SSN/ITIN box.