Where can i find my individual taxpayer identification number

What is an ITIN?

An Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) is issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which is the U.S. tax collection agency. The number is for nonresidents who need to file a tax return because of taxable income (like some scholarships) but are not eligible for a Social Security Number (SSN). SSN are only issued to nonresidents who are employed. For more information, review the IRS Publication 1915.

Who needs an ITIN?

You should apply for an ITIN if:

1. You are in F-1 or J-1 status; and
2. You do not have an SSN; and
3. You do not plan to work on campus or apply for CPT or OPT soon (if you work on campus or apply for off-campus work authorization through ISS, you will need to apply for an SSN); and
4. You receive a scholarship/fellowship stipend directly paid to you through Student Fiscal Services/the UW.
5. You receive non-employment income from a U.S. source that is taxable.
   • Non-employment income can be scholarships, fellowships, grants, or non-employment stipend payments. These can be taxable if they are greater than the cost of tuition and fees.
   • If you are allowed to study tuition free or for a reduced rate of tuition, you may not have to pay tax on this benefit. This is called a “tuition reduction.” Qualified tuition reductions aren’t taxable non-employment income. You won’t need an ITIN for this.

Note: the ISS office can only provide ITIN support letters for students receiving scholarships/fellowships from the UW. If you or your spouse need an ITIN to file a tax return because of other taxable non-employment income, you will need to apply for the ITIN directly to the IRS along with your tax return.

How to Apply

1. 1. Gather the necessary documents and information to complete the online request for ITIN support letters from ISS:
      1. Scan or photo of your UW scholarship/fellowship/grant letter
      2. Know the answer to whether you will claim a tax treaty benefit. If you are unsure, review the IRS “U.S. Tax Treaties” publication before proceeding with this request.  Please note ISS advisers cannot advise about tax treaty eligibility. We do not have expertise about taxes.
   2. Complete the online request for ITIN support letters from ISS:

F-1 Students: Request ITIN Support Letters
J-1 Students: Request ITIN Support Letters

1. Allow 15 business days for ISS processing. ISS will prepare ITIN support letters for you and have the original available to pick up once it is ready.
2. After you receive the ITIN support letter from ISS, review the FAQ on the UW’s ITIN office for additional information and next steps. The ITIN office at the UW can provide additional guidance on what you need to do to prepare for the ITIN application for the IRS.

What is an ITIN?
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a tax processing number issued by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). An ITIN consists of nine digits, beginning with the number nine (i.e., 9XX-XX-XXXX). The IRS issues ITINs to taxpayers and their dependents who are not eligible to obtain a Social Security number (SSN) so that they can comply with tax laws. An ITIN does not authorize a person to work in the U.S. or provide eligibility for Social Security benefits. An ITIN does not provide a person with immigration status.

Who uses an ITIN to file tax returns?
Taxpayers who file their tax return with an ITIN include undocumented immigrants and their dependents as well as some people who are lawfully present in the U.S., such as certain survivors of domestic violence, student visa holders, and certain spouses and children of individuals with employment visas. As of August 2012, the IRS had assigned 21 million ITINs to taxpayers and their dependents.

Can the IRS share ITIN information with other government agencies?
In general, privacy laws prevent the IRS from sharing personal taxpayer information with other government agencies.

Do I need to renew my ITIN?
The IRS requires certain taxpayers using ITINs to renew their ITINs before they submit their tax return and to claim certain tax credits. Check to ensure your ITIN is active before you file a tax return in 2022.

If your ITIN is expired, you will face a delay in receiving eligible tax refunds.

Your ITIN expired on December 31, 2021 if:

• it was not used on a federal tax return at least once in the last three years (i.e., 2018, 2019, or 2020 tax years);
• it has the middle digits of 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, or 88; or
• it has the middle digits of 90, 91, 92, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99, was assigned before 2013, and has not already been renewed.

How do I complete an ITIN application or renewal?
You can apply for an ITIN or ITIN renewal in person by using an IRS-authorized Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA). Unless you apply through a CAA, you will need to send your original, physical documents (i.e., Passport, Birth Certificate, Driver’s License) to the IRS, and they will hold onto the items until they have processed your ITIN application (6-8 weeks during the off-season, 9-11 weeks during the tax filing season).

How do I confirm if my ITIN is active?
You can confirm if your ITIN is active by visiting an IRS-authorized Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA).

Please see below for a list of NYC Free Tax Prep sites participating in the IRS Certified Acceptance Agent program.

Ariva
Address: 69 East 167th Street, Bronx, NY 10452
Hours of Operation: Monday: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.; Tuesday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Appointment Details: You must call 718-292-2983 or email to book an appointment.
Languages: English and Spanish

Urban Upbound
Address: 12-15 40th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101
Hours of Operation: MTuesday, Friday, and Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Appointment Details: You must call 718-784-0877, extension 7 or email to book an appointment.
Languages: English, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese – Cantonese, Chinese - Mandarin, Korean, Russian, and Urdu

Is my tax ID number my SSN?

How can I find my ITIN number online?