le10

Hi,

Has anyone tried obtaining an ITIN for their kids recently. My wife and I both have SSN's, but obviously the kids don't.

In order for me to be able to secure a deduction for them on my tax return, my understanding is that we need to submit a W7 and that will result in an ITIN for them.

However, submitting the W7 would also require us to post their original passports. That is something I am not happy to do.

So, apparently I can go to a local Taxpayer Assitance Center where they can "certify" the kids passports and hand them back.

However, it appears the children have to go along in person as well. The assistance centers open at 8:30am and close at 4:30pm (Monday-Friday). There is not an appointment system.

That's not great when both of them are supposed to be at school !

Does anyone know if my understanding is correct ?

Also, does anyone know why this has to be so convoluted ?

Many thanks,

Paul.

Mr Weeze

Where are you based Paul? I went to the British Consulate in Houston, who certified that it was a British passport. I don't think (though I could be wrong) that the tax authority can certify it - I think it has to be the issuing authority (i.e. the British Government). I got an ITIN issued last year, just after they changed the rules on documentation.

Towards the bottom of this page it shows where there are consulates. I just phoned up and made an appointment. The child didn't have to go, just myself, my passport and child's passport.

https://www.gov.uk/government/world/usa

As to why it has to be so convoluted, well, this is gub'mint.

le10

This is what the NY consulate emailed to me;


The recommended method for those seeking to obtain a certified copy of a British passport to satisfy IRS ITIN requirements is through participating IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centres http://www.irs.gov/uac/TAC-Locations...on-is-Provided or local IRS Acceptance Agents http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Acceptance-Agent-Program who should be contacted in the first instance to make arrangements to obtain the necessary copies to support an application.

Please advise if you unable to schedule with the IRS but note we would need to have the children present at the appointment. We also need to conduct checks and require their full names, dates of birth and passport numbers.

Kind regards,

New York Consular Services

Mr Weeze

Houston was a lot simpler. As to why the difference, I have no idea.

Michael

According to the following link, prior to last year, notarized copies were acceptable but now certified copies are required. It appears the British consulate in New York doesn't want to be bothered since they stated recommended method.

Potential Solutions

•Apply for the Tax ID number in person at a local IRS “Taxpayer Assistance Center”. We understand that some applicants have been able to apply for the ITIN in person at a Taxpayer Assistance Center, presenting an original passport for inspection without needing to mail it to the IRS. However, the IRS has not officially stated that it would continue to follow this process. To locate a Taxpayer Assistance Center, please use this link: http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/index.html.

•Obtain a certified copy of the passport from the consulate office of your home country that is located within the U.S. IRS will accept a certified copy of the passport from the issuing agency. In other words, IRS will accept a certified copy of a passport from a Canadian consulate. We have spoken with a representative from a Canadian Consulate and were told it has have been receiving many requests to issue certified copy of passports.

•Obtain a certified copy of the passport in the home country before entering the US.

http://fcimmigration.com/2012/08/07/...tax-id-number/

British Consul

The process changed at all of our offices recently. We no longer offer a notarial service if it can be undertaken by an alternative provider. In this case the IRS can provide the service, but they may require a certified copy from us in certain, more complicated, cases.

If you get the service from us, the passport holder (including children) will need to be present.

Dean

Mr Weeze

Thanks Dean, that's really helpful.

Wibblypig

We went to our local IRS a few weeks ago, we got there at 7:30am, an hour before it opened and there were still 3 others in front of us! It was just me and my husband, the kids were left with a neighbour to go to school. We needed ITIN's for myself and the 3 kids, we took the passports, they photocopied them, stamped and signed the copies and also gave us copies of what they took. They said that they didn't need to keep the passports or send them off. However we are still waiting to hear back from them......they did say it could take up to 60 days!