An ITIN is an individual federal tax number, not a business formation number. We help you check whether you need one before you buy anything.
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is issued by the IRS to certain individuals who need a U.S. taxpayer identification number for a federal tax purpose but are not eligible for a Social Security number. An ITIN does not provide immigration status or work authorization.
| Number | Issued and used for | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| EIN | Federal business tax identification, issued by the IRS | Identifies a business or other entity for federal tax administration |
| SSN | A personal Social Security number | Personal identifier. An EIN is not a replacement for an SSN |
| ITIN | An IRS individual taxpayer identification number | For certain individuals who need a U.S. taxpayer ID and are not eligible for an SSN |
Myth: you need an ITIN before you can form an LLC or get an EIN. Fact: not automatically. ITIN rules and EIN rules are separate, and an ITIN depends on your own federal tax purpose.
EIN Without an SSNCheck first, then apply.
Allow several weeks
Step 1 of 4
It comes down to a federal tax purpose, for example:
Eligibility is the IRS's decision. We help you check it before you apply.
An ITIN is for federal tax reporting only:
It is for federal tax reporting only, such as a federal income tax return.
The IRS lets you apply by mail or in person, and through a Certifying Acceptance Agent in the U.S. or abroad.
The IRS says to allow about 7 weeks, and 9 to 11 weeks during tax season (January 15 to April 30) or when you apply from overseas. IRS timing can change.
An ITIN must be used on a federal income tax return at least once every three consecutive tax years, or it will expire. An expired ITIN can be renewed when you need to file.
A remote worker in Kenya kept her original passport while we filed her ITIN application. Read the case study.
The IRS list is long. These are the usual ones.
Documents, Form W-7 and IRS status together. Select a tile to see what it shows.
ITIN application Example
Eligibility Check: Whether you have a federal tax purpose for an ITIN.
Not automatically. ITIN eligibility is tied to a qualifying federal tax purpose, not simply LLC ownership.
No. An ITIN does not authorize employment in the United States.
No. An ITIN is for an eligible individual. An EIN is a federal tax ID for a business or other entity.
Not automatically. EIN and ITIN requirements are separate. A foreign responsible party who does not have and is ineligible for an SSN or ITIN may use the Form SS-4 treatment the IRS specifies.
The IRS says to allow about 7 weeks, and 9 to 11 weeks during tax season or when applying from overseas. IRS timing can change.
Yes, through a Certifying Acceptance Agent, who can verify original documents. Ask us which route fits where you live.
Yes. An ITIN that is not used on a federal income tax return at least once every three consecutive tax years will expire, and it can be renewed when you need to file.
Related reading: What Is an EIN? ITIN Case Study
Tell us where you live, what you own and what the ITIN would be for. We will tell you whether you need one before you pay for anything.
ITIN eligibility depends on your own federal tax purpose. This page is general information, not tax advice.
