ITINNumber.io

ITIN for real estate investors

ITIN for U.S. property owners — so you can claim back what FIRPTA withheld

When a non-U.S. person sells U.S. real estate, the buyer generally withholds part of the price under FIRPTA and sends it to the IRS. To get credit for that withholding — and any refund — you file a U.S. return, and that takes an ITIN. Rental income works the same way. We prepare your W-7, certify your passport by video and file it with the right return or exception documents.

  • W-7 under Exception 4 for FIRPTA dispositions, or with your 1040-NR
  • Exception documents checked: Form 8288, 8288-A or 8288-B and the sale contract
  • CAA passport certification — no original mailed to the IRS
  • Tracking until the IRS assigns your ITIN
Start your applicationSee pricing
Case review
ITIN Readiness
Pre-filing check
Specialist review in progress
1–3
business days to prepare
  • Passport scan uploadedVerified
  • Reason for applying (W-7 box)Verified
  • Foreign address verifiedVerified
  • Tax return or exception documentsNeeds review
  • CAA video verificationPending
Who this is for

This service is built for these situations

You’re selling a U.S. property

FIRPTA withholding is taken at closing; you need an ITIN to claim credit for it on your U.S. return.

Too much was withheld on a sale

If the withholding exceeds the tax you actually owe, you file Form 1040-NR to claim the refund.

You want a withholding certificate

A Form 8288-B application to reduce withholding can be filed with your W-7 under Exception 4.

You collect U.S. rent

Rent paid to a non-U.S. owner is withheld at 30% of the gross unless you elect to be taxed on net income and file a return.

You have a U.S. mortgage

Exception 3 in the W-7 instructions covers mortgage interest reporting for a home loan on U.S. property.

You co-own with a spouse

Each non-U.S. co-owner who is a seller or files a return needs their own ITIN.

Why this is hard alone

Getting an ITIN from outside the U.S. is full of small traps

The IRS rejects a large share of ITIN applications, and most rejections and long delays come from a handful of avoidable mistakes: the wrong documents, a missing tax return or exception proof, or originals lost in the mail.

Common pitfalls

What usually goes wrong when filing alone

  • You close the sale without an ITIN, so the IRS can’t match the FIRPTA withholding to you and your refund waits.
  • You apply under Exception 4 without the sale contract or the 8288-series form the IRS expects, and the W-7 is rejected.
  • You mail your original passport to the IRS during a sale and have to wait for it to come back.
  • Your rental income is withheld at 30% of the gross because no net-income election or return was ever filed.

Our approach

How we prevent each of those problems

  • We prepare the W-7 early, so your ITIN is in progress before or right after closing.
  • We check your Exception 4 documents before filing: Form 8288, 8288-A or 8288-B and a copy of the sale contract.
  • Our CAA examines your original passport on a recorded video call and certifies a copy.
  • With ITIN Complete, a tax professional prepares the 1040-NR that claims your FIRPTA credit or reports your rent.
Our approach

What we actually do for you

  1. Find the right route

    Sale, rental or mortgage? We work out whether your W-7 goes with a 1040-NR or under Exception 3 or 4, and list the documents each needs.

  2. Prepare and certify

    We prepare the W-7, examine your original passport on a recorded video call, certify a copy and assemble the exception or return package.

  3. File and track

    We file with the IRS, track your application through the IRS wait and send you the CP565 so your return or refund claim can go ahead.

Compare what each package includes on our ITIN service pricing page.

Illustration of a house with a Sold sign, a 15% withholding receipt and a house key

ITIN for Real Estate Investors

Prepared and certified by our CAA team

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Get a clear next step for your case

Share your situation and a specialist will reply within one business day. The assessment is free.

  • Free to askThe assessment costs nothing. Our packages have fixed prices, fully refundable until we file your W-7.
  • Honest directionIf we're not the right fit, we'll say so and point you elsewhere.
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Frequently asked questions

Common questions from non-U.S. applicants

If your question isn't here, contact us — we'll answer honestly, even if the answer is 'this isn't a fit for our service.'

What is FIRPTA withholding?

Under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, when a foreign person sells a U.S. real property interest, the buyer generally must withhold 15% of the amount realized and pay it to the IRS. Lower rates or exemptions can apply in some cases, such as certain sales of a home the buyer will live in. The withholding is a prepayment of your tax, not the final tax.

Why do I need an ITIN to get my FIRPTA money back?

The withholding is credited to you when you file a U.S. tax return (usually Form 1040-NR) reporting the sale. That return needs a taxpayer ID. If you can’t get an SSN, that ID is an ITIN.

What is Exception 4?

Exception 4 in the Form W-7 instructions lets a foreign person who disposes of a U.S. real property interest apply for an ITIN without attaching a tax return. You attach the FIRPTA paperwork instead — typically Form 8288, 8288-A or 8288-B, together with a copy of the contract of sale.

I rent out a U.S. property. Do I need an ITIN?

Usually, yes. Rent paid to a non-U.S. owner is generally subject to 30% withholding on the gross amount. Many owners instead elect to treat the rental as effectively connected income and file a Form 1040-NR, which taxes net income after expenses. That return needs an ITIN.

Does an ITIN let me buy property or live in the U.S.?

No. You don’t need an ITIN to buy U.S. property, and an ITIN does not authorize work in the U.S., does not change immigration status and does not by itself make you eligible for Social Security benefits.

How long does the ITIN take?

We prepare and certify within 1–3 business days of complete documents and the video verification. The IRS says to allow 7 weeks for an ITIN decision, or 9–11 weeks if you apply during peak season (January 15 – April 30) or from overseas. Nobody — no agent and no paid service — can make the IRS process an ITIN faster. If you know a sale is coming, start early.

Related ITIN guides

Ready to get your ITIN without mailing your passport?

Tell us who needs an ITIN and why. A specialist will reply within one business day with the documents you need and a clear plan.

Start your applicationTalk to a specialist

Or email support@itinnumber.io

  • Reply within one business dayA specialist reviews your case and outlines a clear plan.
  • Free resubmissionPriority and Complete include one free resubmission if the IRS rejects your application.
  • Refund before filingChange your mind before we file your W-7? Full refund, no questions.

Two clocks apply to every ITIN. Ours: we prepare and certify your application within 1–3 business days of receiving your documents and completing the video verification. The IRS’s: it says to allow 7 weeks, or 9–11 weeks from January 15 to April 30 or when you apply from abroad — and nobody can speed that up. We track your application through the IRS wait, follow up once the IRS window has passed, and tell you as soon as your ITIN is assigned. All prices are listed in USD with no hidden fees, and payments are made securely by debit or credit card through Razorpay. The IRS charges nothing for the ITIN itself.