ITIN applications
Form W-7 preparation
We fill out the W-7 itself with your information, the reason you're applying, and the tax return it's tied to. Each box has to match exactly what's on the supporting documents.
ITIN applications
ITIN applications, filed without sending originals.
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number lets people who can't get a Social Security Number still file a U.S. tax return. We prepare Form W-7, organize the documentation, and file alongside the return — without you having to mail your passport to the IRS.
What this is
A taxpayer ID for people who can't get a Social Security Number.
An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is a nine-digit number the IRS issues to taxpayers who aren't eligible for a Social Security Number but still need to file or be claimed on a U.S. tax return. Common situations: a non-resident spouse, a foreign-national dependent, a foreign investor receiving U.S. income, an international student, or a foreign business owner with U.S. tax obligations. The application is Form W-7, and it has to be filed with the actual tax return it relates to — not as a standalone request.
What's involved
The pieces of an ITIN application.
Form W-7 is short, but the documentation requirements are strict and the IRS rejects applications with the smallest paperwork errors.
ITIN applications
Identity + foreign-status documents
You need to prove both identity AND foreign status. A passport does both. Without a passport, you'll need two documents (one for each). We walk you through what counts.
ITIN applications
Avoiding the 'mail-your-passport' trap
The default IRS process requires you to mail original identity documents (including passports) to Austin, Texas. There are two ways to skip that — Certifying Acceptance Agents (CAAs) and IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers. We coordinate with one of these so you keep your documents.
ITIN applications
Tax return preparation alongside the W-7
The W-7 must be filed with the actual return it supports. We prepare both — usually a 1040 with the ITIN applicant claimed as a spouse or dependent — so they go in together.
ITIN applications
Renewals
ITINs expire if not used on a federal return for three consecutive years. We handle renewals on the same Form W-7 process.
ITIN applications
Family applications
Often we file W-7s for multiple family members at once (spouse + kids). Each has its own form and documentation, but we package them together with the family return.
Why this matters
An ITIN unlocks the rest of your tax return.
Without an ITIN, a non-resident spouse can't be claimed on a U.S. return, foreign investors can't properly report U.S. income, and many tax credits (like the Child Tax Credit for an eligible child) can't be claimed. The application process is its own small project — typical IRS processing is 7–11 weeks for new applications, longer during tax season. Filing it correctly the first time matters because the IRS rejection rate is high for self-prepared W-7s. We've watched friends and family go through three rounds of paperwork on their own — and once with a CAA it's usually one round.
Common questions
What people ask us about this.
Often paired with
Related services on the menu.
Crypto tax
Cryptocurrency Tax Preparation
Five exchanges, three wallets, a few NFT trades, and some staking rewards.
ExploreTrust returns
Trust and Estate Tax Return Preparation (Form 1041)
A parent passed, a revocable trust became irrevocable, and now you're the trustee.
ExploreEntity setup
Business Entity Setup and Formation
Most entity setup is templated and fine — until the first tax return reveals you elected the wrong structure for your income.
ExploreKeep your passport. File correctly the first time.
ITIN applications are easy to get wrong and hard to fix once the IRS rejects them. We do it with the right paperwork and the right process.