IRS Tax ID Number (ITIN) for Foreign Investors

ITIN Letter from the IRS
A sample ITIN from the IRS

Once you start receiving rental income from your properties you will need a tax ID number from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If you are a US citizen, then you will already have your social security number, but for investors outside the US you will need the following form for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN):

Form W-7, IRS Application for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (.PDF)

I applied for my ITIN by going to the IRS office at the US Embassy in London and took the Form W-7, with proof of my property ownership. I then received the form shown opposite a few weeks later. It can take around 12 weeks to get your ITIN number, so do it as soon as you can! Your ITIN number will be a 9-digit number, starting with a '9'.

Having a ITIN will save taxes being withheld by your property manager and it will allow you to make your annual tax returns. Also as you build up good credit, this number will be used when applying for loans and credit cards.

You can also apply for your ITIN when you file you Tax Return.


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Please Note - The information contained in this section is only my opinion and should not be regarded as legal or tax advice