Obtain Your ITIN Today 

ITIN Application & Renewal Services

Need to file a U.S. tax return but do not qualify for a Social Security number? Fiotax helps eligible individuals apply for or renew an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and prepare the related tax filing.

An ITIN is a tax-processing number issued by the IRS for certain individuals who need a U.S. taxpayer identification number but are not eligible for a Social Security number. An ITIN does not provide immigration status, employment authorization, or eligibility for Social Security benefits.

Serving ITIN applicants, families, nonresident taxpayers, spouses, dependents, and business owners who need professional tax support.

Who may need an ITIN?

You may need an ITIN if you have a U.S. tax filing or reporting requirement but are not eligible for a Social Security number. Common situations include:

• Nonresident individuals who must file a U.S. federal income-tax return
• U.S. resident aliens filing a federal tax return who cannot obtain an SSN
• A spouse or dependent claimed on a U.S. federal tax return, when eligible under IRS rules
• A foreign investor receiving U.S.-source income
• Individuals claiming a tax-treaty benefit
• Individuals who need to report U.S. rental income, business income, investment income, or a property sale
• Taxpayers renewing an ITIN that is expired or scheduled to expire

Fiotax begins with an eligibility review because the correct reason for applying must be selected on IRS Form W-7, and many applications are submitted with a federal tax return unless an IRS exception applies.

How the ITIN process works

1. Schedule a private consultation

We begin by understanding why you need an ITIN and whether an ITIN application is appropriate for your situation.

During the consultation, Fiotax reviews:

• Whether you are eligible for an ITIN
• Whether you may instead qualify for a Social Security number
• Whether you are applying for a new ITIN or renewing an existing one
• Your filing status and family situation
• Whether a federal tax return must be filed with the application
• Whether an IRS exception may apply
• Whether you are applying as an individual, spouse, dependent, investor, student, or business owner

This review helps us identify the proper Form W-7 reason code and the documents needed before anything is submitted to the IRS.

2. Gather your identification documents

The IRS requires documentation that proves both your identity and foreign status. Documents must generally be original or certified by the issuing agency; ordinary notarized copies are generally not accepted.

A valid, unexpired passport is generally the simplest document because it can establish both identity and foreign status. If a passport is not available, the IRS may require a combination of acceptable documents, which can include items such as:

• Foreign passport
• National identification card
• U.S. or foreign driver’s license
• U.S. state identification card
• Foreign birth certificate
• Foreign voter registration card
• U.S. visa
• USCIS photo identification
• U.S. military identification
• Foreign military identification
• Medical records for qualifying young dependents
• School records for qualifying student dependents

The document requirements can differ for dependents and may depend on the applicant’s age, country of residence, and reason for applying. Fiotax reviews your documents before filing to reduce avoidable IRS delays.

Important: Do not mail original passports or identity documents to the IRS until you have received clear instructions on the appropriate submission method.

3. Prepare Form W-7

Fiotax prepares or reviews IRS Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

The application generally includes:

• Your legal name and mailing address
• Date and country of birth
• Country or countries of citizenship
• Foreign tax identification number, if applicable
• U.S. visa information, when applicable
• The reason you need an ITIN
• Information about the identity documents being submitted
• Applicant signature and required certifications

Accuracy matters. A missing signature, incorrect reason code, incomplete document information, or inconsistent tax-return data can delay processing or result in a rejected application. Form W-7 is signed under penalties of perjury, so all information should be complete and accurate.

4. Prepare the required tax return or exception package

Most first-time ITIN applications are submitted with a completed U.S. federal income-tax return. The IRS uses the tax return to confirm the tax purpose for the ITIN request.

Fiotax can help prepare the appropriate filing package, which may include:

• Your federal income-tax return
• Form W-7 for each person applying
• Required identity and foreign-status documents
• Dependent-related documentation, when applicable
• Supporting statements or forms for an applicable IRS exception
• Tax-treaty documentation, if relevant
• Other tax forms related to rental income, investments, self-employment, or withholding

If you qualify for an exception to the tax-return filing requirement, Fiotax evaluates the applicable documentation and prepares the appropriate support package.

5. Verify documents and submit your application

Fiotax reviews the full application package for completeness before submission.

If Fiotax is acting as an IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent:
We may be able to authenticate eligible identity documents and submit the Form W-7 package to the IRS using the CAA process. A CAA can help complete Form W-7, authenticate certain supporting documents, submit the application, assist with IRS issues, and receive copies of ITIN notices. CAAs are subject to special rules, including limits involving certain dependent documentation.

If Fiotax is not acting as a CAA for your application:
We can still prepare and review the Form W-7 and tax-return package, then guide you through the appropriate IRS submission options. Depending on the method used, the IRS may require original documents or certified copies from the issuing agency. The IRS notes that it can take up to 60 days for original supporting documents submitted by mail to be returned.

The IRS, not Fiotax, makes the final determination on ITIN issuance.

6. Track notices and respond if needed

After the package is submitted, Fiotax helps you understand and respond to IRS correspondence related to your ITIN application.

Our support may include:

• Reviewing IRS notices
• Explaining requests for additional information
• Helping correct incomplete or inconsistent information
• Assisting with a resubmission when appropriate
• Updating your tax records after your ITIN is issued
• Advising when an ITIN renewal should be considered

Processing times can vary, particularly during tax season, when applications are incomplete, or when the IRS requests additional documentation.

7. File and maintain your tax compliance

After your ITIN is issued, Fiotax can continue to assist with your ongoing U.S. tax responsibilities.

Services may include:

• Federal and state income-tax return preparation
• ITIN renewal planning
• Individual tax planning
• Nonresident tax-return preparation
• Rental-property tax reporting
• Self-employment and small-business tax support
• Estimated-tax planning
• IRS notice assistance
• Recordkeeping guidance

An ITIN is for federal tax purposes. It does not change a person’s immigration status or authorize employment in the United States.

What to bring to your appointment

Please bring or upload the following, as applicable:

• Current passport and/or other identity documents
• Prior ITIN notice or prior-year tax return, if renewing
• U.S. mailing address and foreign address
• Date of entry into the United States, if applicable
• Spouse and dependent information
• Birth certificates and school or medical records for qualifying dependents, if applicable
• Wage statements, 1099 forms, investment statements, or other income documents
• Rental-property income and expense records, if applicable
• Information about U.S. bank accounts, withholding, scholarships, investments, or treaty claims
• Any IRS letters or notices received
• Documents supporting an exception, if applicable

Each applicant should have their own required documentation. For dependent applications, additional rules may apply.

Why work with Fiotax?

Applying for an ITIN is more than filling out Form W-7. The application must match the taxpayer’s actual filing position, supporting identification documents, and tax-return or exception requirements.

Fiotax provides:

• Tax guidance
• A structured, document-first process
• Form W-7 preparation and review
• Federal tax-return preparation when required
• Support for ITIN renewals
• Guidance for nonresident, family, investment, rental, and small-business tax situations
• Clear communication about documentation and submission options
• Ongoing tax support after the ITIN is issued
• Certified Acceptance Agent Authentication (CAA)

We help clients submit a complete, well-organized application package—while keeping the process understandable from start to finish.

Frequently asked questions

What is an ITIN?

An ITIN is an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number issued by the IRS to people who need a U.S. taxpayer identification number for federal tax purposes but are not eligible for a Social Security number.

Can I get an ITIN without filing a tax return?

Sometimes. Most applicants submit Form W-7 with a federal tax return, but the IRS recognizes limited exceptions, such as certain third-party reporting, treaty, mortgage-interest, withholding, or other qualifying situations. Fiotax can determine whether an exception may apply to your case.

Does an ITIN allow me to work in the United States?

No. An ITIN is a tax-processing number; it does not authorize employment, provide lawful immigration status, or create eligibility for Social Security benefits.

Do I need to send my original passport to the IRS?

It depends on the submission method and your documentation. IRS rules generally require original documents or certified copies from the issuing agency when applying by mail. Working through an eligible Certifying Acceptance Agent like Fiotax or applying in person through an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center may provide alternatives in appropriate cases.

Can Fiotax help renew my ITIN?

Yes. Fiotax can review your current ITIN status, determine whether renewal is appropriate, prepare the Form W-7 renewal application, and coordinate any related tax filing.

Can my spouse or child apply for an ITIN?

Possibly. Eligibility depends on the person’s tax situation and IRS rules, including rules related to dependents, residency, and tax benefits. Fiotax reviews each family member’s eligibility individually before filing.

Is Fiotax an IRS authorized Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA)?

Yes. Fiotax is an IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA), able to assist eligible individuals with applying for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). We help prepare and review the required Form W-7 and supporting identification documents, making the process more convenient for taxpayers who need an ITIN to meet U.S. tax filing and reporting requirements.

Important disclosure

Fiotax provides tax preparation, Form W-7 assistance, document review, and tax advisory services. The IRS issues ITINs and makes all final determinations. ITIN eligibility, documentation requirements, tax-return requirements, exceptions, and processing times are subject to IRS rules and may change. No ITIN approval, tax benefit, immigration outcome, or processing timeframe can be guaranteed.