If you are a foreign citizen earning an income in the United States, you will most likely require an ITIN (Individual taxpayer identification number) associated with your tax liabilities in the U.S.
The good news is that if you follow the right procedures, streamlined application processes starting in 2025 will allow you to acquire your ITIN more easily and faster than ever before.
This guide will show you the steps on how to get an ITIN, along with providing background information, ensuring that there are no unnecessary delays or confusion.
What is an ITIN?
An individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) is a form of ID number that the IRS assigns to an individual who meets the criteria for filing a tax return within the United States. An ITIN is allocated to persons who do not qualify for a Social Security Number (SSN).
- An ITIN does not grant eligibility for legal work within the United States.
- Does not establish eligibility to claim Social Security benefits.
- Does not give immigration status nor authorize employment.
Even persons who are foreign nationals gain the right to comply with the United States tax laws if they are provided the ITIN. The number guarantees that the individual can file tax returns even if they do not qualify for a Social Security number.
Summary:
Having an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) will help you pay the tax smoothly and legally, if you are earning income, investing, owning property, or even conducting business in the us.
Who Should Obtain An ITIN?
If you do not meet the criteria for a Social Security Number, then you would need an ITIN, provided that you have to file taxes for the United States.
Some categories of people who usually have to accomplish an ITIN include:
- Non-resident foreigners who need to submit a tax return.
- Resident aliens filing for taxes based on the number of days spent in the US and do not have a Social Security number.
- Family members or partners of US citizens, green card holders, or non-resident visa holders.
- International business investors with an interest in American real estate, partnerships, or other business ventures that yield profit.
- Foreign nationals in teaching, research, or student programs who are eligible under certain visa categories but have no access to a Social Security number.
- Companies owned by foreigners who need to meet tax submission requirements in the United States.
In addition, many foreign entrepreneurs forming LLCs within the US use ITINs for filing tax returns, opening business bank accounts, and ensuring that they stay compliant with American taxation laws.
If you are in any of the described groups, you need an ITIN urgently to avoid facing penalties and for the smooth receipt of financial services.
How to Get an ITIN by 2025 (Step-by-Step)
The acquisition of an ITIN has a meticulous application procedure. Here is a timeline on how to obtain one efficiently:
1. Collect Necessary Documents
To access a certain document, you must need to prove your identity and your foreign status.
For this reason, these are the required documents:
- Completed Form W-7 Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
- Valid passport. This document remains the solitary passport with a US visa.
- Other documents include national identity cards, US visas, birth certificates, or driver’s licenses. If they are your only means of valid identification, you must produce them.
Notice for 2025:
- All documents should be up to date and valid.
- Only original documents or certified copies released by the original issuing agency are accepted; no notarized copies are allowed.
- Additional medical record or school record documents must be provided if dependents are under 18 years.
Being meticulous with the documentation helps to eliminate any possible delays one may experience.
2. Instructions for Completing Form W-7
Actually, it’s Form W-7 that does the magic of requesting an ITIN; hence, it is necessary to fill out this form carefully, as it must accompany documents worthy of an ITIN. Even the smallest of details can be the reason so many ITIN applications get rejected.
While filling the form, do not forget to do the following:
- Give the application an appropriate reason, for instance, putting in “Nonresident alien required to get an ITIN to claim tax treaty benefit” works perfectly.
- Make sure you have an accurate name, birth date, and foreign addresses that are relevant to the passport or national ID document you possess.
- Examine your signature on the W-7 and the date left on it.
In case of a family applying for several ITINs, each person would need a W-7 of their own.
Helpful tip: Vertices in a polygon are classified as separate from the side, and as a result of mistakes in W-7, such as a mark made in the sign box or choosing the wrong financial year, most applicants are flagged for rejection or delays.
3. Submit Your Application
In 2025, your ITIN application can be submitted using one of three primary methods:
Send it to the IRS by mail at:
IRS ITIN Operation
P.O. Box 149342
Austin, TX 78714-9342
(Submission requires Form W-7, a tax return if one exists, and original or certified documents.)
Apply In-Person via a Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA)
CAAs, or Certified Acceptance Agents, are authorized by the IRS to verify your documents, assist in completing Form W-7, and can file your application electronically for you.
Advantage: With a CAA, you don’t have to send original documents to the IRS.
Make a reservation at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC)
Widely available in many US cities. Reservations are limited, so early booking is necessary if this is your preferred choice.
👉 Fastest method: If you wish to have your ITIN processed the fastest and safest way, it is highly encouraged that you work with a Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) in 2025.
4. Wait for Processing
How you submit your application dictates how long it will take to process:
By Mail: Regular processing is 6 to 8 weeks, but could take longer during tax season.
Through a CAA: usually faster at 2 to 4 weeks.
Via an IRS Office: Timeline is the same as the CAA if all documents are correct.
Starting in 2025, priority processing lanes will be available to foreign investors, treaty claimants, and others when their applications are submitted through IRS-approved CAAs.
If the ITIN is not received within 8 weeks, the IRS ITIN hotline can be called to check the status.
Tips to Get Your ITIN Faster in 2025
To prevent any aggravating holdups, here are a few tips from the inside:
Contact a Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA):
CAAs make certain that your application is complete, all of the necessary documents are included, and your identity is verified through an electronic process, with no risk of your original passport being misplaced.
Apply at the Start of Tax Season:
Applying from May through November means that you can file without encountering the common backlogs the IRS experiences in March and April.
Complete Every Detail:
Applications that are devoid of vital information or details that are incorrect will require resubmission. Make sure that all the documents you are submitting together with the W-7 Form are correct and accurate.
Attach Your Federal Tax Return If Necessary:
One of the common requirements for an ITIN is to attach one’s federal tax return. You will be exempt from fulfilling this if you’re qualifying under specific treaty benefits or other particular situations.
Always Monitor Your Application:
After waiting eight weeks and assuming that you received no response, feel free to dial the IRS ITIN hotline 1-800-829-1040 and inquire about the current status of the application.
In total, it is possible to reduce the amount of time, waiting, and stress involved in receiving your ITIN if the steps laid out above are followed.
Avoid these common mistakes
It is incredibly easy to overlook and omit simple things that can lead to your ITIN application being rejected and delayed. These are the things that you need to keep an eye on:
Using documents that are expired: No ID or Passport should be submitted that is expired.
Not including a tax return: A tax return error constitutes a mistake if you don’t meet one of the listed exceptions and submit a tax return with Form W-7.
Picking the incorrect reason for application: It’s one of the ticked boxes; this can result in automatic rejection. Make sure the reason you tick matches your circumstance.
Missing signature and/or date: Each W-7 form has to be signed and dated as required.
Names that have not been filled or do not match correctly: Your name is supposed to be as it appears on the passport or any other identification document you provide.
Not using a CAA when it could be: Trying to do it personally raises the chances of errors, as CAs seek to ensure the process is smooth.
Avoiding these blunders can save you a lot of weeks or even months worth of time spent waiting.
EasyFiling’s Guide to Obtaining Your ITIN The Fastest Way in 2025
At EasyFiling, we focus on aiding foreign individuals and business proprietors with ITIN applications and ensure that the process is hassle-free and straightforward.
Here’s how you can file an ITIN application faster with EasyFiling’s services:
Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) Services:
We negotiate with the authorized CAA. Our partnership guarantees that we will validate your documents, process your application accurately, and submit it fully to the IRS without requiring you to send your original passport!
Step-by-Step Support:
From preparing Form W-7, our dedicated team ensures that you have all the documentation needed to meet all the requirements.
Faster Processing Times:
Because of the priority handling given to applications filed through EasyFiling’s CAA network, most clients receive their ITIN within 2–4 weeks.
No Risk of Rejections:
Our specialists conduct an in-depth review of your documents to avoid any mistakes that could delay the application process.
Fully Remote And Secure:
With EasyFiling, you don’t have to travel, wait at the IRS, and risk losing documents. Every step of the filing process is safely completed through the internet from the comfort of your home.
Affordable Pricing:
There are no additional charges or hidden fees attached to ITIN services with us. Every tax and payment policy issued offers transparency and a competitive market.
Selecting EasyFiling gives you the competitive edge to avoid application delays while guaranteeing your application is filed correctly.
Final Thoughts
As mentioned previously, with the right procedures and prep work in 2025, obtaining an ITIN number can be done quickly and effortlessly.
Even though the IRS is improving efficiency year after year, you have to ensure that you do not make any minor errors.
If you want optimal chances of fast approval, do not forget to:
✅ Compile the required documents.
✅ Complete Form W-7.
✅ Use a Certified Acceptance Agent for submission.
✅ Apply early to avoid the last-minute rush.
✅ Do not make careless errors.
Do you need professional assistance in obtaining your ITIN number?
We help you get and navigate through Certified Acceptance Agents for faster approval, eliminating hassles and making the whole process enjoyable.
Give us a call today, and the first time you reach out to us, we will get your ITIN done right.
Swostika Silwal
