Identity Documents for Your ITIN Application
In your application, you must provide proof of identity and foreign status. An original passport is the only stand-alone document the IRS accepts that proves both, but other documents can be submitted instead of a passport. Additional rules for documentation may apply for dependents that need an ITIN.
You can submit 2 of the following documents instead of a passport:
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National identification card (Must be current, and contain name, photo, current address, date of birth and expiration date)
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Civil Birth Certificate
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Foreign Driver’s license
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Foreign Voter’s registration card
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Foreign Military registration card
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Medical records (only for dependents under 6 years old)
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School records (only for dependents and /or students under 18 years old)
Alternatively, you can submit 2 of these US documents (if applicable):
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US Driver’s License
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US State identification card
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US Military registration card
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US visa (to prove ineligibility for an SSN)
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US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) photo identification
Tax Return Requirements for Your ITIN Application
Unless you're filing to claim a tax treaty benefit, generally your US federal tax return must be attached to your ITIN application. Applications that must have a tax return include the following:
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Non-US citizen and nonresident filing a US tax return
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Non-US citizen resident filing a US tax return
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Dependent or spouse of a US-citizen or non-US citizen resident
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Non-US citizen resident student, professor, or researcher filing a US tax return or claiming an exception
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Dependent or spouse of a non-US citizen resident with a US visa
Tax Return Exceptions
There are some exceptions to the tax return requirement. These exceptions require other forms of documentation in lieu of a tax return. Exceptions include:
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Income from a partnership that invests in the US subject to information reporting or federal tax withholding
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A bank account connected to a US trade or business that earns interest subject to information reporting or federal tax withholding
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A personal bank account that earns interest subject to information reporting or federal tax withholding
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Passive income subject to third-party withholding, such as income from an annuity, pension, rental property, royalties, or dividends)
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Income from wages, salary, compensation, or honoraria payments, that qualify for tax treaty benefits
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Non-compensatory income from scholarships, fellowships, or grants that qualify (or do not qualify) for tax treaty benefits
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Gambling winnings from the US that qualify for tax treaty benefits
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Real property in the US with a home mortgage loan subject to third party reporting of mortgage interest
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Income from sold or exchanged real property located in the United States, subject to withholding by the buyer or transferee
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IRS reporting requirement as a non-US representative of a foreign corporation who needs to obtain an ITIN for the purpose of meeting e-filing requirements under TD 9363