Individual Taxpayer Idenfication Number
In 1996 the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued regulations to create the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) system for foreigners to use as a unique identification number on their Federal tax returns. The ITIN is a nine-digit number issued by the internal revenue service to individuals who do not have and are not eligible to obtain a Social Security number (SSN), but who must have a taxpayer identification number, because they may have income to declare. Taxpayers can also include their dependents and spouses on their returns and request an ITIN for them.
Advantages to otaining an ITIN and filing a tax return:
- You may get a cash refund on your tax returns
- You can prove that you have lived in the United States
- Filing taxes is considered “good moral character” by the USCIS
- You comply with U.S. tax laws by filing and paying taxes
- Tax returns can be requested by banks and mortgage companies when applying for a loan
- Filing taxes may help you to apply for US residency in the future
- Some banks and credit card companies may let you open an account with an ITIN, in lieu of a Social Security Number
- You are establishing a credit history by obtaining an ITIN and filing taxes
- Filing taxes with an ITIN can help you apply for legal immigration status if the proposed is approved by the U.S. government
To apply for an ITIN you must provide the following documents:
- Completed Form W-7
- Your original completed tax return
- Original, cerfitied, or notarized documents verifying your identity
If you cannot provide any identification documents you must provide any two of the following original documents:
- National Identification card
- U.S. driver's license
- Civil birth certificate
- Foreign driver's license
- US state identification card
- Foreign voter's registration card
- U.S. military identification card
- Foreign military identification card
- Visa
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS photo identification)
- Medical records (dependents only)
- School records (dependents and/or students only)
You can apply for an ITIN at 
El Paso Affordable Housing
6801 Viscount Blvd
El Paso TX 79925
(915)838-9608
