How International Students Can Obtain An Ein

As an international student in the United States, you may need to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to pay taxes. If you are employed, you are eligible to apply for an SSN. If you are not working but have non-wage income to report, you will need to apply for an ITIN. An ITIN can be applied for at any time of the year and can be used to access U.S. financial products and file taxes.

Can international students get an EIN?

International students can get an ITIN

International students can get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). An ITIN is a unique tax-processing number issued by the IRS for those who pay taxes but are not eligible for a Social Security Number (SSN). International students who are not working but still have non-wage income to report on their taxes will need to apply for an ITIN. Common examples of taxable non-wage income for international students include taxable scholarships, grants, or fellowships received.

To apply for an ITIN, international students must submit Form W-7, "Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number," with a U.S. tax return. The IRS accepts Form W-7 by mail, accompanied by original documents or certified copies of the documents from the issuing agency to establish the identity and foreign status of the ITIN applicant. A foreign passport can stand alone as proof of identity and foreign status. If a passport is not submitted, a combination of at least two other documents, with at least one containing a photograph, must be submitted with the ITIN application. Applicants can also submit their W-7 by scheduling an appointment at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center while in the United States or through a Certifying Acceptance Agent in the United States or abroad.

International students can coordinate with their international student office to collect, verify, and submit their ITIN application once they have arrived on campus. It typically takes the IRS around 7-11 weeks to issue an ITIN. Having an ITIN allows international students to access U.S. financial products like bank accounts and credit cards.

It is important to note that filing taxes is required for nonresident alien students and scholars who have taxable scholarships, grants, or fellowships, income partially or totally exempt from tax under a tax treaty, or any other income that is taxable under the Internal Revenue Code. On the other hand, nonresident alien students and scholars may not need to file taxes if their income is only from specific sources, such as U.S. savings and loan institutions, U.S. credit unions, U.S. insurance companies, or certain types of investments.

International students are eligible for SSN

International students with F-1 or J-1 visa status are eligible for an SSN if they are employed in the United States. This includes on-campus jobs, off-campus work, and OPT or CPT. Students must first obtain valid employment authorization and meet the eligibility requirements for F-1 employment. This can include obtaining a letter from the university confirming an on-campus job offer. J-1 students must provide evidence of employment and be in valid J-1 status, registered for a full course of study, and have a letter of permission to work from their sponsor.

International students who are not eligible for an SSN, but who have a tax filing requirement, can apply for an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number). This includes students with non-wage income, such as taxable scholarships, grants, or fellowships. The ITIN can be used for tax filings and accessing U.S. financial products like bank accounts and credit cards.

It is important to note that simply having an SSN does not grant legal authorization to work in the U.S. However, if an international student has legal authorization to work, they are required to apply for an SSN. The SSN is used for tax and employment reporting purposes and is valid for life.

International students should carefully review the eligibility requirements and application processes for SSNs and ITINs, as they may differ based on immigration status and individual circumstances. They can coordinate with their international student office for guidance and support.

International students can apply for EIN via phone, fax or mail

As an international student, you will need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to pay taxes on non-wage income if you do not have a Social Security Number (SSN). You can apply for an ITIN at any time of the year if you have a tax-filing requirement.

International students can apply for an ITIN (also known as EIN) via phone, fax, or mail. Here is some more information on each of these methods:

Phone:

International applicants can apply for an EIN by calling the IRS at the number designated for international applicants on the IRS website. The person making the call must be authorized to receive the EIN and answer questions regarding Form SS-4. The IRS no longer issues EINs by telephone for domestic taxpayers. Only international applicants can receive an EIN by telephone.

Fax:

International applicants can fax a completed Form SS-4 to the IRS. If they provide a return fax number, the IRS can generally send the EIN within four business days.

Mail:

International applicants can submit a completed Form SS-4 to the IRS by mail. This method is the slowest, taking about four weeks to obtain an EIN. If the entity's address is outside the United States or its territories, the applicant must enter the city, province or state, postal code, and the name of the country.

Please note that the online application method is reserved for entities with a US address, and international applicants typically cannot apply for an EIN online.

International students need to file tax forms each year

International students in the United States are required to file tax forms annually with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the US agency responsible for collecting federal taxes. The IRS categorises international students as nonresident aliens for tax purposes.

International students on F-1 visas are considered nonresident aliens and are required to file a US tax return (Form 1040-NR) for income from US sources. They are also exempt from FICA taxes on wages for services performed in the US. Additionally, they are exempt from social security and Medicare taxes for the first five years of their stay.

To fulfil their tax filing obligations, international students must determine their federal tax filing status as either nonresident or resident tax filers. This status dictates the applicable tax rates and forms to be completed. It is worth noting that an individual can be a resident tax filer while maintaining a nonimmigrant visa status.

International students with taxable scholarships, grants, or fellowships are required to file tax returns. However, those with tax-free scholarships or fellowships and income only from specific sources, such as US savings and loan institutions or US credit unions, may not need to file taxes.

To report taxable non-wage income, international students who do not have a Social Security Number (SSN) will need to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). This number is used for tax filings and can also provide benefits like applying for US financial products.

International students can apply for an ITIN at any time

International students in the United States are required to file tax forms each year with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If you are an international student with non-wage income to report on your taxes but do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), you will need to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Common examples of taxable non-wage income for international students include scholarships, grants, or fellowships received.

You can apply for an ITIN at any time of the year where you have a tax filing requirement. To apply, you will need to complete Form W-7, which can be found on the IRS website, and assemble original documents to establish your foreign status and identity. This can be done by using your valid passport or a passport containing your valid US visa. These original documents will be returned to you within 9-11 weeks from when your application was received by the IRS.

Once you have all of your documents in order, mail them to the IRS. You can coordinate with your international student office to collect, verify, and submit your application once you have arrived on campus. It will take the IRS approximately 7-11 weeks to issue your ITIN. You can check the status of your ITIN number application by calling the IRS toll-free at 1-800-829-1040.

In addition to filing taxes, having an ITIN can provide other benefits, such as applying for US financial products like bank accounts and credit cards.

Frequently asked questions