What are the benefits if I hire your firm for ITIN application?

Our accounting firm, Liou Accountancy Corporation, is a Certifying Acceptance Agent, which means that we are able to:

  1. Help you prepare the application form correctly;
  2. Advise you on the proper supporting documents to send along with your application, and
  3. Authenticate your personal ID so that you do not need to send your original ID to the IRS.

Am I eligible for an ITIN?

If you are NOT eligible for a social security number (SSN), and you have a valid reason to get a tax ID in the US, you may apply for the ITIN.

What are the valid reasons to obtain an ITIN?

The most common ground for an ITIN is that you need it to file a tax return. Other valid reasons include:

  • You are required to obtain an ITIN because you opened an interest-bearing bank account, or you are a partner of a partnership subject to withholding requirement when it pays you.
  • You are an international student who is exempt from tax withholding on scholarship and needs to submit Form W-8BEN to your education institution.
  • You are claiming a tax treaty benefit or reporting gambling winnings as a nonresident alien.
  • You have a home mortgage loan in the US and will receive Form 1098.
  • You are selling real property located in the US and the proceed is subject to withholding by the escrow.

How do I prove that I have one of the above valid reasons to obtain an ITIN?

For those who needs an ITIN for the first time in order to file a tax return, generally that tax return must be filed along with your ITIN application. IRS provides a guideline of the proper documents to send when your reason is other than filing a tax return, which we will discuss in details with our clients.

What if I need to renew my ITIN?

You may renew your ITIN if it has expired or if you received a letter from the IRS reminding you that your ITIN is expiring soon. Based on new IRS guidelines, you do not need to attach your tax return when renewing your ITIN, although you still have to indicate a valid reason to get it renewed.

What are the documents I need to bring to you for authentication?

You will need to present one or more documents to establish 1. your foreign status and 2. you personal identity. Your documents must be current (not expired) at the time f application.

If you have a current foreign passport, you may use it to establish BOTH your foreign status and your personal identity. This is the only stand-alone document that serves both purposes.

If you do not have a passport or if your passport expired, you may choose a combination from the lists below from each category to satisfy IRS rules:

A. Documents supporting your foreign status:

  • Photo ID issued by the USCIS;
  • Visa issued by the US Department of State;
  • Foreign Military ID Card;
  • Foreign Cational ID Card which contains your name, photo, address, date of birth, and expiration date (such as the Matrícula Consular for Mexican nationals);
  • Foreign Voter’s Registration card;
  • Foreign Civil Birth Certificate;
  • Medical Records (valid only for dependents under age 6), and
  • School Records (valid only for dependents under 18).

B. Documents supporting you personal identity:

  • US States Driver’s License;
  • US Military ID Card; and
  • One more document from the list A above.

Do I have to bring the original documents to you?

Yes, the IRS requires us to examine your foreign status and personal ID documents physically. You may bring your ID for an office appointment, or ship it to us through UPS, DHL, or US mail if you cannot make it.