ITIN Number For Illegal Immigrants: What Is ITIN and How to Get It?

Recent estimates put the number of illegal immigrants in the United States at around 11 million. Many of them have jobs and work and actively participate in the greatest economy in the world, the US economy. This active participation also includes paying US taxes, and the only way to do that is by having an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

In this article we’ll discuss ITIN number for illegal immigrants, we’ll talk about how to get one and what are the required documents. We’ll also share the main benefits of having an illegal immigrant tax ID, as well as the three main ways to apply for ITIN for undocumented immigrants.

Let’s start.

ITIN Number for Illegal Immigrants: What Is It?

Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a unique 9-digit tax processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to people who are legally obligated to pay taxes in the US but don’t fulfill all the requirements to receive a Social Security Number (SSN). ITIN is more limited than SSN and always starts with the number 9.

ITIN is issued to people with various legal statuses, including:  

• Legal nonresidents who must pay taxes due to them passing the Substantial Presence Test (SPT)
• Legal nonresidents who own a US business that generates US source income 
• Illegal or undocumented immigrants who work in the US
• Dependants of illegal immigrants or resident aliens

Can an Illegal Immigrant Get an ITIN Number?

Yes, illegal immigrants, often referred to as undocumented migrants or individuals without legal immigration status, can apply for and get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). ITIN is issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and is used for tax purposes. It doesn’t impact immigration status and is not affected by it. Meaning that you don’t have to be in the US legally to get an ITIN. 

Need help getting an ITIN? For a fixed price of $400 NRI, you will be guided through the entire process of getting an ITIN number.   

ITIN Number for Immigrants: Main Benefits

ITIN can be used for many different reasons, including:

Opening a US Bank Account

Certain financial institutions in the US (e.g., commercial, savings, investment banks, etc.) will accept ITIN as a form of identification. This allows illegal immigrants to open a US bank account and gain access to various banking and financial services. 

Filing Tax Returns and Building US Credit Score

Undocumented immigrants can use an ITIN number to file individual tax forms (1040 or 1040NR) and report their income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). And, by regularly reporting their income and paying federal taxes, illegal immigrants can effectively use ITIN to build credit scores in the US.  

Applying for Mortgage Loans and Buying a Home in the US

ITIN gives illegal immigrants the opportunity to participate in the US financial system and gain access to various services that it offers. One of the services that ITIN opens a door for undocumented immigrants is getting a mortgage loan. There are many different types of home loans in the US. And, just by having an ITIN, illegal immigrants can get access to them and use them to finance their home in the US. 

Claiming Tax Credits

With ITIN, illegal immigrants can claim different tax credits, which directly reduce their taxable income. For example, if an illegal immigrant has children who qualify as dependents, they can claim a Child Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit. The Child Tax Credit allows people to lower their tax bill by up to $2,000 per year.

Legally Renting a US Property

A lot of US landlords or property management firms will require a taxpayer identification number (either SSN or ITIN) before signing a lease agreement. When illegal immigrants have an ITIN number, they can legally rent properties in the US.

Getting a Driver’s License in Certain States

Specific states in the US allow illegal immigrants to use ITIN to get a driver’s license, which can later serve as a valid form of ID. This gives undocumented immigrants the opportunity to legally drive vehicles in the USA and can help them get jobs that require a driver’s license (truck driver, delivery driver, etc.). 

States in the US that allow illegal immigrants to get a driver’s license with just an ITIN number are:

• California, 
• Colorado, 
• Connecticut, 
• Delaware, 
• Hawaii, 
• Illinois, 
• Maryland, 
• Massachusetts, 
• Minnesota, 
• Nevada, 
• New Jersey, 
• New Mexico, 
• New York, 
• Oregon, 
• Rhode Island, 
• Utah, 
• Vermont, 
• Virginia and 
• Washington. 

Looking to get an ITIN number for illegal immigrants? NRI can help you with the entire process for a fixed fee of $400.

ITIN Number for Illegal Immigrants: Required Documentation

ITIN for undocumented immigrants will require them to have at least some of the following types of documents:

• A valid passport and a copy 
• Identification Card for their country of origin
• A valid driver’s license from their country of citizenship
• A birth certificate
• A valid US Visa (it can be a tourist Visa)
• Medical or school records for children 
• A W-7 Form

We should mention here that illegal immigrants will most likely only need one form of identification. For example, if they have a birth certificate from their country of origin, they probably won’t need a valid passport, an ID card, or any other type of identification document.

How to Get ITIN as an Illegal Immigrant?

There are three ways for undocumented immigrants to apply for ITIN. They are:

ITIN For Undocumented Immigrants: Applying in Person

Illegal immigrants can apply for an ITIN in person by physically going to one of the many IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers located all over the United States. Before going, they should prepare and fill out all the necessary documentation. 

Getting an ITIN can take between 7 and 11 weeks. Because of that, it’s important to have all the required documents filled out and ready to go before visiting the IRS assistance center to avoid any processing delays.

ITIN For Undocumented Immigrants: Applying via Mail

Another way illegal immigrants can apply for an ITIN number is through regular mail. They can do that by sending all the required documentation (including an accurately completed W-7 form) to the IRS’s mailing address.

ITIN For Undocumented Immigrants: Applying Certified Acceptance Agent

An Acceptance Agent is a legal entity (a person or an agency) that is certified by the IRS and can help get ITIN for illegal immigrants. Getting an ITIN through an Acceptance Agent can significantly speed up the entire process. Additionally, Acceptance Agents will ensure that every form and legal document necessary for applying for ITIN number for illegal immigrants is prepared according to the US law and the latest IRS regulations and guidelines.

NRI works directly with Certified Acceptance Agents. For a fee of $400, we can help you get an ITIN faster and easier.

FAQ

Can you use ITIN to prove legal residency or citizenship?

No, ITIN is a tax processing number and can not be used as proof of legal residency or citizenship. 

How much does an ITIN number for illegal immigrants cost?

The IRS does not directly charge for the ITIN application process. However, there are certain costs that are associated with ITIN, such as the cost of acquiring required documentation (e.g. birth certificate, valid passport, etc.) and learning how to fill out the appropriate forms.