Getting An ITIN Abroad – What American Expats Need To Know

Hugo Lesser

ITIN, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, is a 9 digit number that is issued by the IRS that allows individuals who are not eligible for or who don’t have a social security number to file a U.S. tax return. Before such individuals can file their U.S. tax return though, they need to apply for an ITIN.

It’s important to note though that ITINs don’t qualify their holders to work in the U.S. or claim U.S. Social Security benefits; they are simply used to file U.S. taxes.

Who needs one?

Alongside foreigners who may need to file a U.S. tax return (because they have U.S. sourced income or spent enough time in the U.S. to qualify for tax residency perhaps), there are several scenarios in which Americans may need to apply for an ITIN:

  • When a U.S. citizen or green card holder needs to apply for an ITIN for their foreign spouse, as it’s advantageous for them to file a joint U.S. tax return.
  • When a U.S. citizen or green card holder needs to apply for an ITIN for their dependents, to enable them to claim Child Tax Credits.
  • When someone who has U.S. citizenship but has never lived in the U.S. as an adult, including so-called Accidental Americans (born abroad to U.S. parents), discover they need to file a U.S. tax return.

How can expats obtain one?

To obtain an ITIN from abroad, expats should attach a completed form W-7 along with the required supporting documentation (to prove their identity) to their U.S. tax return and post it to the ITIN Operations center.

Documentation must be original or certified, as specified in the IRS W-7 instructions.

Alternatively, expats who are near one can meet with an IRS authorized Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) who will check their documentation and return it to them before posting their completed form W-7 to the ITIN Operations center.

Completing form W-7

Form W-7 is one of the less intimidating U.S. expat tax forms. It requests the applicants’ name, address, and birth information, along with the reason for the application. Please note that all fields must be completed for the form to be accepted, so if a field isn’t relevant expats must still write ‘n/a’ in it.

Filing US taxes from abroad

All American citizens and green card holders are required to file a U.S. tax return and declare their worldwide income, wherever in the world they live, and including dual citizens and anyone with the right to U.S. citizenship, even if they’ve never had a U.S. passport. There are several IRS exemptions that allow expats to expats to avoid double taxation on the same income, while expats who didn’t know that they had to file U.S. taxes can catch up without facing penalties using an IRS amnesty program called the Streamlined Procedure. Expats may also have to file an FBAR to report their foreign bank and investment accounts.

With clients in over 150 countries, Bright!Tax is a leading provider of US tax services to the estimated 9 million Americans living abroad. I’m responsible for client experience, communications, and branding. Since I joined, turnover has been growing at a rate of 80% per annum.

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2 comments on “Getting An ITIN Abroad – What American Expats Need To Know

  • I have clients in Paris France who have had trouble getting an ITIN Issued. 2 questions:
    1. What is the name of the French gov’t entity that must certify a copy of their French passport as a true and accurate copy?
    2. Can you provide me a list of CAA that are in Paris?
    Thank you.

  • Your post includes the following as an example of who may need an ITIN:

    “When someone who has U.S. citizenship but has never lived in the U.S. as an adult, including so-called Accidental Americans (born abroad to U.S. parents), discover they need to file a U.S. tax return.”

    A person who “has U.S. citizenship” is not eligible for an ITIN and must get a Social Security number.

    The W7 asks about the “place of birth”. Those born in the USA will have difficulty obtaining an ITIN because the a U.S. place of birth creates a presumption of U.S. citizenship.

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