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TheITINapp

Apply for a US ITIN online, from any country

We prepare your Form W-7, check your documents and submit everything to the IRS. Then we follow the application until your ITIN letter reaches you.

Start applicationHow it works
Price
$299, all in
Not eligible?
Full refund
IRS processing
7 to 11 weeks

Application

ITN-24817

With the IRS
Applicant
Ananya R.
Lives in
Bengaluru, India
W-7 reason
(b) Nonresident alien filing a US tax return
Identity
Passport, certified copy
  1. Application receivedSep 2
  2. Form W-7 and documents preparedSep 4
  3. Filed with the IRS ITIN unit, Austin TXSep 5
  4. IRS processingUsually 7 to 11 weeks
  5. ITIN letter (CP565) mailed to you9XX-XX-XXXX
An example application and where it is in the process.

Who needs an ITIN

The IRS gives ITINs to people who have to file or report US taxes but can’t get a Social Security number. These are the usual reasons.

  • You have to file a US tax return, such as Form 1040-NR, and you can’t get a Social Security number
  • You want back US tax that was withheld from your income, which means filing a US return
  • You’re the spouse or dependent of someone who files a US tax return
  • You want to claim a tax treaty benefit that asks for a US taxpayer ID
  • You own or are selling US real estate

Getting paid by a US platform usually doesn’t need one: a Form W-8BEN with your own country’s tax number is often enough. And if you can get a Social Security number, get that instead (ITIN vs SSN).

How it works

The IRS has no online ITIN application, so the paperwork still goes in on paper. You do your part online with us; we prepare it and handle the submission.

  1. 1

    Answer a few questions

    One short form about you, your passport and why you need an ITIN.

    About 10 minutes

  2. 2

    We prepare your W-7

    We fill in Form W-7 and put together the supporting documents it has to go with.

    2 to 3 business days

  3. 3

    You sign, we submit

    You review and sign. We sort out your documents, including passport verification by our partner CAA where it fits, and submit to the IRS.

    Same week

  4. 4

    The IRS processes it

    We keep track of the application and help you answer any letter the IRS sends.

    7 to 11 weeks

  5. 5

    Your ITIN arrives

    The IRS mails your number in a CP565 letter. You can use it on tax forms right away.

    By post

IRS processing time comes from the IRS: 7 weeks, or 9 to 11 weeks from outside the US or between January 15 and April 30. Source: IRS

One price

$299USD

Paid once, after you fill in the form. Nothing else to pay us later.

  • Form W-7 prepared for you
  • Document review before anything goes to the IRS
  • Passport verified by our partner Certifying Acceptance Agent, where that route fits, so you don’t mail the original
  • Submission to the IRS
  • Status updates until your ITIN arrives
  • Help with any IRS letter about your application
  • Full refund if you turn out not to be eligible
  • Free refiling if the IRS rejects it because of our mistake
Start applicationPricing details

How the routes compare

There are several ways to file a W-7. Here’s what each one involves.

OptionCostWhat’s involved
Apply yourself by mailFreeFill in Form W-7 and mail it to the IRS in Austin, Texas, with your original passport or a copy certified by the office that issued it.
IRS Taxpayer Assistance CenterFreeIn person, in the US, by appointment. Staff can check your documents on the spot.
Certifying Acceptance AgentVariesAn IRS-authorized agent verifies your passport, so the original doesn’t have to be mailed.
TheITINapp$299Includes a Certifying Acceptance Agent: our partner CAA verifies your passport, so the original stays with you. We prepare the forms, review your documents, submit, and follow the application to your ITIN.

Read before you apply

Plain-English guides, checked against IRS instructions.

Questions people ask first

See all questions

Is TheITINapp part of the IRS?
No. We’re an independent service that prepares and submits ITIN applications. The IRS issues the number itself, and applying directly with the IRS is free.
How long does it take to get an ITIN?
We prepare your application within 2 to 3 business days of receiving your documents. After that, the IRS says to allow 7 weeks, or 9 to 11 weeks if you apply from outside the US or between January 15 and April 30.
Do I have to send my original passport?
Often not. The IRS accepts your original passport, a copy certified by the agency that issued it, or verification by a Certifying Acceptance Agent. We work with a partner CAA who can verify your passport where that route fits, so the original stays with you. We tell you which route applies before you send anything.
Do I need to file a US tax return as well?
A Form W-7 usually has to go in with a US federal tax return, unless you meet one of the IRS exceptions, which cover many non-residents with US income that a payer withholds tax from. Our fee covers the ITIN application, not preparing a tax return. We tell you which applies to you.
What if I’m not eligible for an ITIN?
If it turns out you don’t qualify, we refund the full $299.
What happens if the IRS rejects my application?
If the rejection comes from a mistake we made, we fix it and refile at no charge. If the IRS asks for more information, we help you reply.
Can I work in the US with an ITIN?
No. An ITIN is for federal tax purposes only. It doesn’t give you the right to work in the US, change your immigration status or make you eligible for Social Security benefits.

Get your ITIN without the paperwork

We prepare your Form W-7, check your documents and file with the IRS. One price of $299, with a full refund if it turns out you're not eligible.

Start applicationSee what's included