For a non-resident, or any other aliases who need to file their income tax in the United States, being unqualified to get an SSN means verification of the Individual Taxpayer ID Number is much needed.
This is to make sure that the processing of taxes won’t delay because of incorrect or invalid ITINs.
Verification of your ITIN Number Online Complete Guide In this complete guide, we will take you through the steps to verify your ITIN number online.
We will explain what ITIN is, steps one need to take to verify it online, and some troubleshooting tips if you meet any issues along the way.
What is ITIN?
An ITIN is the Internal Revenue Service’s identification number for tax processing, assigned to people in need of a U.S. taxpayer identification number who do not possess, and are not eligible to acquire, an SSN.
ITIN is mainly used by non-resident aliens, resident aliens, their spouses, and dependents who cannot get an SSN but must file a tax return. It is also a nine-digit number that starts with a “9”, formatted like an SSN: XXX-XX-XXXX.
Can I verify my ITIN number online?
The Internal Revenue Service hosts a significant number of services to the taxpayer on their website, including identity verification. Still, verification of any ITIN number directly through the website is not as simple as one would think.
You can’t, through their online services, directly verify your ITIN as you can your SSN. You can, however, access their online services and, using them, check that your identity and the data on tax filing are corect and up-to-date.
For verifying identity, the IRS gives a toll-free number, 1-800-829-1040, where the taxpayer can call to verify identity and assist them with respect to their ITIN.
This becomes very helpful in case you are having problems either using the tools available for verification online or seeking clarification regarding the status of your ITIN.
Why can’t my identity be verified online?
There may be many factors as to why your identity is not verified online:
- Incorrect Information: The system will be unable to verify your identity if information you keyed in does not match information the IRS has.
- ITIN Expiration: ITINs that have not been used on a federal tax return at least once in the past three consecutive years expire.
- Technical Problems: A technical issue from the IRS system may at times lead to verification failure.
Accessing IRS Online Services
Begin the process of verifying your ITIN online at the IRS Online Services platform.
- Visit: The IRS Website is irs.gov.
- On the start page of the website, there is a section called ‘Online Tools’.
- Click on this section.
- Log in or Register: Log in using your username and password or register in case you are not registered yet.
Accessing the Online ITIN Verification Tool
Once you open the IRS Online Services, follow these steps to access the ITIN verification tool and proceed:
- Click ‘Identity Verification’ located under the Online Tools section.
- Select ITIN Verification: From the options given, select the ITIN verification option.
Enter ITIN Information
Once you select the ITIN verification option, you will be required to fill your ITIN information. The following steps need to be carried out:
- Enter Your ITIN: Enter your nine-digit ITIN very carefully in the space given.
- Personal Information: Enter your personal information, like your name, birth date, and address, in the very same way as it entered in tax documents.
- Submit Information: Once the information is provided correctly, submit the form for verification.
Troubleshooting and Further Help
If you experience difficulty in verifying online your ITIN, go through the following steps:
- Double-Check Information: Ensure that the information you have keyed into the system is an exact match to your records and that it shows no variance from your tax files.
- Clean Browser’s Cache: Some issues of web forms are resolved by cleaning your browser’s cache and cookies.
- Try Using a Different Browser: If this is still a problem on your end, then you can try another browser on your computer or any other device you have.
As usual, you can directly contact the IRS regarding your problem:
- Call the IRS: 1-800-829-1040; the IRS helpline is open, and you can discuss your problem in person.
- Visit an IRS Office: There is also a provision for in-person assistance, and you can take an online appointment for your nearest IRS Office.
Conclusion
Your ITIN number can be verified online to ease the process of filing your taxes, making sure everything is OK with regard to your taxes.
Though the IRS does not offer a tool for checking ITINs directly online, his/her identity verification online services can help you check the ITIN status.
In case of any complications or questions about what’s being needed, there is more assistance available, such as a contact hotline and localized IRS offices.
Completing the process of verifying an ITIN step by step, using this guide will enable you to complete it successfully, and you can fix any mishaps that might happen on time.
For further assistance with ITIN applications, check out our ITIN page.