If you’re a non-resident alien (congratulations on your interplanetary status!) or a resident who can’t get an SSN, you likely have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). This is a nine-digit number that starts with the number 9. It looks like a SSN’s weird cousin who shows up to family reunions uninvited.
Where is it? Check that CP565 Notice the IRS mailed you when you first got it. You probably threw it away thinking it was a coupon for a free stapler. Don’t worry—the IRS still has it. You can call them (1-800-829-1040) and wait on hold until you develop a new hobby, like counting ceiling tiles. Or, ask the bank that processed your foreign account—they love paperwork almost as much as you love sleep.
4 Ways to Find a Federal Tax ID Number - wikiHow
Surprising Fact That Will Blow Your Mind
Did you know that the IRS assigns Tax ID numbers to dead people? Yes, deceased individuals still get tax IDs because apparently, taxes are eternal. You could be a ghost with a filing requirement. Don’t worry—your number doesn’t have a tombstone emoji next to it on the form.
Also, historically, Social Security Numbers were originally not for taxes at all. They were created in 1936 to track your earnings for retirement. Today, that number is the key to everything—from getting a mortgage to proving you’re not a time-traveling robot (though, if you are a robot, take my number: 000-00-0000—it works great, trust me).
