North Carolina, Raleigh- If you are an immigrant living in the United States, it is essential that you know what an ITIN number, or Personal Taxpayer Identification Number, is.
This is a tax processing number intended for people who cannot obtain a Social Security number. For example, for non-resident foreigners and undocumented people.
The main reason why you should know what an ITIN number is and how to get it is that it can bring you enormous benefits. Among others, it will help you receive financial assistance from the government and will also be of great help if you seek to regularize your status and obtain permanent residence.
What is the use of having an ITIN number if I am undocumented?
The ITIN number allows undocumented people to be part of the official United States tax system.
As explained to Enlace Latino NC Alicia Wilson, coalition member Protecting Immigrant Families, that can generate “enormous benefits” for you.
Basically, the ITIN number will give you access to tax credits granted by the government. In other words, more money in your pockets.
Thats not all. It will also allow you to open a bank account to keep your savings safe. Along with the account, many banks will be able to give you a credit card and even a loan.
But the benefits of having an ITIN are not limited to financial issues. It may also be useful for people seeking to adjust their immigration status.
“If an undocumented immigrant has been paying taxes, this can demonstrate their responsibility and work, which can be a positive sign for immigration authorities,” Wilson added. That is, it can be especially useful for those seeking to apply for permanent residence.
Is it safe to take it out if I am undocumented?
Undocumented people often wonder if they Is it safe to get an ITIN? number, since it involves providing a series of personal data to the government.
However, it is completely safe since the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is prohibited from disclosing taxpayer information to other government agencies.
Indeed, not only is it safe to have an ITIN if you are undocumented, but it can also be of great help in regularizing your status. As we explained in the previous section, paying taxes helps demonstrate that you are financially stable and that you have been working in the country responsibly for years.
How to get an ITIN number?
One of the crucial points for the life of any immigrant, in addition to understanding what an ITIN number is, is knowing how to get it out.
There are several options to obtain an ITIN number.
The most traditional is to fill the W-7 form (in Spanish) of ITIN application. One-time completed, must be mailed to the following address: Internal Revenue Service, Austin Service Center, ITIN Operation, PO Box 149342 Austin, TX 78714-9342.
Along with the form, original documents proving your identity and your non-resident status must be sent.
This option means that you will be left without your original documents for several months. To avoid this, there is another alternative which consists of going to Certified Acceptance Agents (CAA, for its acronym in English). These are people certified by the government to receive the documents and verify the identity of the applicants. In that case, the verification of the documents is carried out on the spot, so you do not need to part with them.
What documents do I need to obtain an ITIN number?
To obtain an ITIN number, applicants must present original documents proving your identity and your status as foreigners.
The only document that proves both things is your passport from your country of origin. But there are other documents that can either. In those cases, both must be combined and presented.
The accepted documents are the following:
At what time of year can I get an ITIN number?
Despite what many people believe, it is not necessary to wait for tax season to obtain an individual taxpayer identification number. Can obtain an ITIN number at any time of the year.
However, one of the requirements to obtain an ITIN number is to demonstrate that the applicant needs it. This can be achieved by showing that you want to pay your taxes, for which it is necessary to have an ITIN. For this reason, many people fill out the form to pay their taxes and use that same form to demonstrate the need to apply for the ITIN.
Is it necessary to renew the ITIN number?
As provided by the IRS, in some cases it is necessary renew the ITIN number.
Specifically, you will need to renew your ITIN if you have not used it on any federal tax returns in the last three years.
Expired ITINs will not be accepted on any tax return.
To renew your ITIN, you will need to resubmit a Form W-7 along with your original documents. In this case, just as to obtain it for the first time, you can also go to a Certified Acceptance Agent to review your documents on the spot.
Where to get help?
In this article we have explained what an ITIN number is and how to obtain it. However, the process is somewhat complex and you may need more helps.
For assistance, the IRS offers free help in English and Spanish by calling 800-829-1040 if you are in the United States. If you are outside the United States, call 267-941-1000.
In case you also need assistance to do your taxes, you can go to the free tax preparation sites in North Carolina.
They also exist in state two “Taxpayer Assistance Centers” who can offer you help applying for the ITIN.
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