Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN)
An ITIN is needed in some cases to file taxes
If you had U.S. income (such as a scholarship or fellowship) and you are not eligible for a social security number (SSN), you will need to apply for an ITIN. To apply for an ITIN you need to complete the form W-7. You can complete it on your own (for free) or pay $19.95 to Sprintax so that they will prepare it. Instructions for completing the form can be found here. For the reason you are applying you will use b. Nonresident alien filing a U.S. federal tax return.
If you are applying for an ITIN during tax season, you will complete your federal tax return using the Sprintax program. You must complete your tax return and file it with your ITIN application (W-7). In order to complete your tax return with Sprintax you will have to make up an SSN for yourself such as 999-99-9999. Then after you print out the completed tax forms you are going to have to remove this number from the first page and write “Applied.”
We recommend using Sprintax to complete your ITIN application. However, we do not recommend sending your Passport to the IRS. Our office can certify a copy of your Passport for you. Please reach out to oia@iu.edu if you need assistance.
Please note you can also apply for an ITIN for your eligible dependents. Your dependents are only eligible if you are from Canada, Mexico, Korea, or India (for India—students only) and you are filing a federal tax return which includes them. They must have lived with you in the U.S. for at least 183 days in 2025.
In review the steps are:
- Complete form W-7 with Sprintax.
- Complete your tax return using Sprintax. You will have to add a fake SSN that you then remove and write “Applied.”
- Contact oia@iu.edu so that we can provide you a form to certify your Passport.
- Make copies of all of your documents.
Send original forms and supporting documents to:
Internal Revenue Service
ITIN Operation
P.O. Box 149342
Austin, TX 78714-9342
