Form W-7: how to file the Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
For people who need a US tax number but can't get a Social Security number. File Form W-7 with a US federal tax return unless an exception applies, and either mail it with original or certified identity documents, use a Certifying Acceptance Agent, or book an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center.
- Agency
- Internal Revenue Service
- Where it applies
- US federal
- How it's filed
- Paper form, mailed
- Fee
- Free
- How long it takes
- Allow 7 weeks for the IRS to send the application status.
The form, line by line
| Line | What goes there |
|---|---|
| Application type | Application typeApply for a new ITIN / Renew an existing ITIN |
| Reason | Reason you're submitting Form W-7a. Nonresident alien required to get an ITIN to claim tax treaty benefit / b. Nonresident alien filing a U.S. federal tax return / c. U.S. resident alien (based on days present in the United States) filing a U.S. federal tax return / d. Dependent of U.S. citizen/resident alien / e. Spouse of U.S. citizen/resident alien / f. Nonresident alien student, professor, or researcher filing a U.S. federal tax return or claiming an exception / g. Dependent/spouse of a nonresident alien holding a U.S. visa / h. OtherBox a also needs box h. With b, c, d, e, f or g, a U.S. federal tax return goes with the form unless an exception applies. |
| d | If d: relationship to the U.S. citizen/resident alien |
| d, e | If d or e: name of the U.S. citizen/resident alienTheir SSN or ITIN is written by hand on the form after the name; Placetta doesn't print it. |
| h | If h: the exception or other reason (see instructions)Also needed with box a, and with box f when claiming an exception: write the exception the instructions name. |
| a, f | Treaty country |
| a, f | Treaty article number |
| 1a | First nameAs on the passport. |
| 1a | Middle name |
| 1a | Last name |
| 1b | Name at birth, if different (first, middle, last) |
| 2 | Mailing address: street, apartment or rural route number; then city, state or province, country and ZIP or postal codeFor a P.O. box, see the instructions. |
| 3 | Foreign (non-U.S.) address: street; then city, state or province, country and postal codeNot a P.O. box. Put the street first, then a semicolon or new line. |
| 4 | Date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy) |
| 4 | Country of birth |
| 4 | City and state or province of birth (optional) |
| 5 | SexMale / Female |
| 6a | Country(ies) of citizenship |
| 6b | Foreign tax I.D. number (if any) |
| 6c | Type of U.S. visa (if any), number, and expiration date |
| 6d | Identification document submittedPassport / Driver's license/State I.D. / USCIS documentation / OtherFor Other, write "Other: " and the document. |
| 6d | Issued by |
| 6d | Document number (written by hand)The applicant writes the number by hand on the form; Placetta doesn't print it. |
| 6d | Document expiration date (mm/dd/yyyy) |
| 6d | Date of entry into the United States (mm/dd/yyyy) |
| 6e | Have you previously received an ITIN or an IRS Number (IRSN)?No/Don't know / Yes |
| 6f | ITIN and/or IRSN (written by hand)The applicant writes the number by hand on the form; Placetta doesn't print it. |
| 6f | Name under which it was issued (first, middle, last) |
| 6g | Name of college/university or company |
| 6g | City and state |
| 6g | Length of stay |
| Sign Here | Applicant's phone number |
| Sign Here | Name of delegate, if applicable |
| Sign Here | Delegate's relationship to applicantParent / Power of attorney / Court-appointed guardian |
Official links
Checked against the agency's own page.
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