Form W-7

Form W-7 (Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is the IRS form used by individuals who are required to have a U.S. taxpayer identification number but are not eligible for a Social Security Number — primarily non-resident and resident aliens, their spouses, and dependents. The ITIN obtained through Form W-7 is a nine-digit number beginning with the digit 9 and formatted like an SSN (9XX-XX-XXXX), used exclusively for federal tax reporting purposes. Form W-7 requires the applicant to submit the completed application along with a federal tax return (unless an exception applies) and original identity documents or certified copies from the issuing agency — typically a passport, national identification card, or a combination of documents proving both identity and foreign status. Processing takes 7–11 weeks during normal periods and 14–20 weeks during peak filing season (January through April). ITINs expire if not used on a federal tax return for three consecutive years, or if issued before 2013 according to the IRS rolling expiration schedule. For foreign founders, the ITIN serves as a prerequisite for online EIN application (bypassing the 4–14 week Form SS-4 fax/mail process), certain bank account applications, and personal tax return filing for U.S.-source income. The ITIN does not authorize employment in the United States, does not provide eligibility for Social Security benefits, and does not change immigration status. However, it is essential for establishing a U.S. tax compliance history that may be beneficial for future visa or immigration applications. doola provides end-to-end ITIN application support including document certification through IRS Certified Acceptance Agents (CAAs), eliminating the need to mail original passports to the IRS and reducing processing uncertainty.