If you earned money in the United States, you may have an obligation to file a tax return, even if you do not have a Social Security number. The information below will show you how to file a tax return if you do not have a Social Security number and are not eligible for one.

I want to file a tax return, but I don’t have a Social Security number. What should I do?

If you don’t have a Social Security number, you should prepare your tax return and apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). An ITIN is a nine-digit number that the IRS can give to people who do not have a Social Security number and are not eligible to receive a Social Security number. This means that if you have an immigration status that allows you to apply for a Social Security number, you cannot get an ITIN. But if you have an immigration status that does not allow you get a Social Security number, you can get an ITIN.

An ITIN is intended to help you file a federal tax return with the IRS only. An ITIN does not

• Authorize you to work in the U.S.
• Change your immigration status.
• Allow you to qualify for public benefits or the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Why should I have an ITIN?

Having an ITIN can benefit you for both tax- and non-tax-related reasons. The tax-related benefits of an ITIN are that:

• If you have earned income, it may be against the law not to file an income tax return.
• It is the only way for you to file an income tax return if you do not have any immigration status.
• It can allow you to claim a tax refund from the IRS.
• It can allow you to claim the child tax credit from the IRS.
• It can allow you to file a joint tax return with a spouse.
• It can allow you to obtain tax exemptions for minor children.

The non-tax-related benefits of an ITIN are that it can:

• Help you prove good moral character and your physical presence in the United States if you ever become eligible to apply for an immigration status.
• Allow you to open a bank account at some banks.

How do I apply for an ITIN?

There are three basic requirements in applying for an ITIN.

1. Complete IRS Form W-7. The W-7 is a one-page form. It takes about 20 minutes to complete. It asks for basic information about you, such as your name, country of citizenship, address, and your date and place of birth. It also asks you to identify the reason you are applying for an ITIN.
2. File a valid federal income tax return. This will probably be IRS Form 1040. You generally cannot apply for an ITIN unless you also send the IRS a completed income tax return together with the Form W-7.
3. Provide the IRS with identification documents. The IRS requires the document or combination of documents that you send with your ITIN application to show your name and photograph, and establishes that you are not a citizen of the United States. The most common forms of identification that the IRS accepts are a passport, a foreign driver’s license, a foreign military card, a national identification card, or a birth certificate. If you are applying for an ITIN for a child under 14, then you can also use school or medical records. You should normally submit original identification documents or certified copies of these documents from the issuing agency. A certified copy is one that the original issuing agency provides and certifies as an exact copy of the original document and contains an official stamped seal from the Agency. These documents will be returned within 65 days. Notarized copies of documentation will not be accepted.

Are there any alternative options if I do not want to mail my original documents to the IRS?

Instead of sending original documents, applicants have the option to use a Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA), designated IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs), and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Centers that use CAAs, who can certify that they have reviewed and verified the original or certified copy of identification documents. However, you will still have to mail in documentation for dependents.

When should I apply for an ITIN?

You should apply for an ITIN as soon as you are ready to file a federal income tax return. You can apply for an ITIN at any time of the year. But if the tax return that you attach to your ITIN application is filed after the due date, then you may owe extra money to the IRS.

Where should I send my ITIN application and tax return?

Because your tax return is an attachment to your ITIN application, you should not mail the tax return separately. You must mail both the Form W-7 and the tax return together.

If you send your ITIN application by U.S. mail, you must send it to:

Internal Revenue Service
ITIN Operations
P.O. Box 149342
Austin, TX 78714-9342

If you send your ITIN application through an overnight delivery service, then you should send it to:

Internal Revenue Service
ITIN Operations 
Mail Stop 6090-AUSC 
3651 S. Interregional,
HWY 35
Austin, TX 78741-0000

How long does it take to get an ITIN?

Processing times have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. After you have mailed your ITIN application to the IRS, it will probably take a minimum of six weeks, but may take as long as four months or more.

How Do I Renew My ITIN?

To renew your ITIN, you will need to submit Form W-7 (from IRS.gov) along with the required original or certified documentation. Check the box that says “renewal” and follow the instructions on the form. If you are submitting a tax return with your renewal, attach it to Form W-7. If you are not submitting a tax return at this time, you may ignore that instruction and send the renewal form at any time. In fact, if your ITIN has already expired, you should send in a renewal form as soon as possible, rather than waiting until you file your tax return, to increase your chance of having a valid ITIN before you file your tax return. You may mail the form with original identification documents or copies that have been certified by the issuing agency. Mail your documents to the IRS address listed on the form. The IRS will return your identification documents within 60 days.

You may also take your form and documents to an IRS authorized Certified Acceptance Agents. See Acceptance Agent Program (from IRS.gov) for a list of these agents.

If you do not wish to mail your original documents to the IRS, you may visit an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center instead of mailing original identification documents. A list of the Taxpayer Assistance Centers can be found at Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) Locations Where In-Person Document Review is Provided (from IRS.gov).

Special Family Option

If several people in your family have ITIN numbers, the IRS offers an opportunity for families to renew their ITINs at the same time. If you, your spouse, or a dependent is due for their renewal and receives a renewal letter from the IRS, the entire family can renew their ITINs at the same time.

Can I get help preparing an ITIN application?

Yes. Probably the best way to get help in completing your ITIN application is to contact a Low Income Tax Clinic in your area or to go directly to a local IRS office. The IRS has local offices throughout New Jersey. See the IRS Local Office Locator to find the New Jersey IRS office nearest you. An IRS local office can help you complete the IRS Form W-7, review your identification documents, and send your application to the ITIN processing center.

Another way to get help is to go to what is called an “Acceptance Agent.” An Acceptance Agent is a person or organization that the IRS has authorized, after receiving training, to help people apply for ITINs. Be careful of notaries! They may advertise that they perform this service, but they may not be authorized by the IRS. Also, an Acceptance Agent will probably charge you a fee for the work that they do for you.

If I apply for an ITIN, will the IRS report me to the immigration authorities?

No. Privacy laws prevent the IRS from reporting you to the immigration authorities if you have applied for an ITIN.

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This information last reviewed: Apr 7, 2022