Timothy Lewis an IRS Certified Acceptance Agent in New York City, which enables him to certify original identification documents (typically a passport) so that a nonresident alien applying for an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) can avoid sending their original passport or a government certified copy of their passport to the IRS office in Austin, Texas that processes ITIN Applications.
Since 2011, it is no longer a valid reason to use an ITIN for banking purposes in the future or to merely want to file a Federal income tax return at some future time. We have to provide a current Federal tax reason, most commonly filing of a signed US income tax return and sometimes remittance of FIRPTA withholding tax or a FIRPTA withholding certificate application. It is also possible for foreign partners in a US investment fund to obtain an ITIN to associate with their interest in the fund. Sometimes, an interest-bearing US bank account can also work as the Federal tax reason.
Our current fee for ITIN advice, application and follow-up if needed is typically $975 per applicant. This does not include preparing an income tax return or other filing to accompany the application, which can be done for a separate fee if requested. We can also include a properly-prepared tax filing from another preparer in the envelope with your ITIN application.
If you need help applying for an ITIN, filing a U.S. tax return, or having your identification (typically, passport) certified to be submitted along with your existing ITIN application, contact Timothy Lewis at (212) 785-7600 or twl@twllaw.com .