Guide · US tax number
How to get an ITIN from Pakistan
An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is a US tax number for a person who needs one but cannot get a Social Security number. It is for you as a person; your company uses its own number, the EIN. This is who needs one, what it takes and what it costs.
Who needs an ITIN
- You have a US tax return to file, or a US tax treaty benefit to claim, as a person
- A bank, platform or payment provider asks you personally for a US taxpayer number
- You do not need an ITIN to form a US LLC or to get its EIN
How it works
The application is IRS Form W-7. It normally goes to the IRS together with a US federal tax return, unless one of the IRS exceptions applies. Your identity is proved with your passport: either the original, a copy certified by the issuing agency, or a copy verified by an IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent, so your passport does not have to leave Pakistan.
The IRS usually takes 7 weeks, and 9 to 11 weeks in the busy season (15 January to 30 April) or for applications from abroad. We tell clients to allow up to 3 months.
What it costs
- New ITIN: $399
- ITIN renewal: $399 (the same Form W-7 process)
- The IRS does not charge a fee for an ITIN
What we need from you
- Your passport (valid, not expired)
- Your address in Pakistan
- Why you need the ITIN: the tax return it goes with, or the exception that applies
- If it is for a US company: the company name and its EIN
When an ITIN expires
An ITIN that is not used on a US federal tax return at least once in three years in a row expires at the end of the third year. If yours has expired or is about to, it is renewed with a new Form W-7.
Common questions
- Do I need an ITIN to open a US LLC?
- No. You can form a US LLC and get its EIN without an ITIN or a Social Security number.
- How long does an ITIN take?
- Usually 7 weeks, and 9 to 11 weeks in the busy season or from abroad. Allow up to 3 months.
- Do I have to post my original passport?
- No. A Certifying Acceptance Agent can verify your passport, so the original stays with you.
- How much does an ITIN cost?
- Our fee is $399 for a new ITIN or a renewal. The IRS itself does not charge for an ITIN.
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