Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Internal Revenue Service. (Discuss) |
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (or ITIN) is a United States tax processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service. It is a nine-digit number that begins with the number 9 and has a 7 or 8 in the fourth digit, i.e. 9xx-7x-xxxx or 9xx-8x-xxxx. The IRS issues ITINs to individuals who are required to have a taxpayer identification number but who do not have, and are not eligible to obtain, a Social Security Number.
ITINs are issued regardless of immigration status because both resident and nonresident aliens may have Federal tax return and payment responsibilities under the Internal Revenue Code. Individuals must have a filing requirement and file a valid federal income tax return to receive an ITIN, unless they meet an exception.
In 2006 1.4 million people used ITIN when filing taxes. Federal tax law prohibits the IRS from sharing data with other government agencies including the Department of Homeland Security, ensuring illegal immigrants that the tax information will be confidential and not be used to deport them.[1]
ITINs are also used by real estate brokers to facilitate mortgages for legal and illegal immigrants.[2]
[edit] References
 |
This article's citation style may be unclear. The references used may be made clearer with a different or consistent style of citation, footnoting, or external linking. (September 2009) |
- ^ U.S. Tax Program for Illegal Immigrants Under Fire NPR, March 5, 2007.
- ^ Politics Undercut Mortgages For Illegal Workers by Nancy Mullane. Morning Edition, National Public Radio. 4 Nov 2008.
4. NY Times, September 11, 2008
5. [1]
