Certified ITIN Assistance

ITIN Assistance

Not sure whether you need a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)? It all depends on your immigration status and whether you are authorized to work in the United States. People who are not eligible for an SSN — such as nonresident aliens without work authorization, dependents, or spouses who only need to be claimed on another return — must apply for an ITIN to meet their tax filing requirements.

You need an ITIN if you do not qualify for a Social Security Number (SSN) but you are:

✔️ A nonresident alien claiming a tax treaty benefit
If you live outside the U.S. but are entitled to a tax benefit under a treaty between your country and the U.S., you’ll need an ITIN to claim it.
Example: Ana lives in Spain and earns dividends from U.S. investments. To reduce her U.S. withholding tax under the U.S.–Spain tax treaty, she must get an ITIN.
✔️ A nonresident alien filing a U.S. tax return
If you are not a U.S. resident but you have U.S. income (for example, from investments, rental property, or business activities), you’ll need an ITIN to file your return.
Example: José is a Mexican citizen who owns rental property in Texas. He must file a U.S. tax return and needs an ITIN.
✔️ A resident alien based on days in the U.S. (substantial presence test)
Example: Li stayed in the U.S. for more than 183 days on a visitor visa. She is treated as a U.S. resident for tax purposes but cannot get an SSN, so she applies for an ITIN.
✔️ A student, professor, or researcher on an F, J, M, or Q visa who must file a return
Example: Ravi is an F-1 student receiving a taxable scholarship. He doesn’t qualify for an SSN and must get an ITIN to file his return.
✔️ A dependent or spouse of a nonresident alien visa holder (e.g., H-4, F-2, J-2)
Example: Ahmed is in the U.S. on an H-1B visa and is considered a nonresident alien for tax purposes. His wife and son are with him on H-4 visas. Since they can’t get SSNs, they each need an ITIN to be listed on his tax return.
✔️ A dependent of a U.S. citizen or resident alien
Example: Mark is a U.S. citizen living abroad with his child, who isn’t eligible for an SSN. To claim the child as a dependent, Mark must apply for an ITIN for the child.
✔️ A spouse of a U.S. citizen or resident alien
Example: Sarah is a U.S. citizen married to Alex, a French citizen who isn’t eligible for an SSN. To file jointly, Alex needs an ITIN.