The five kinds of TIN
| TIN | Stands for | Who gets it |
|---|---|---|
| SSN | Social Security number | U.S. citizens and people admitted for permanent residence or U.S. employment. Issued by the SSA.IRSIRS |
| EIN | Employer Identification Number | Businesses and other entities, including some trusts and estates.IRS |
| ITIN | Individual Taxpayer Identification Number | Certain non-resident and resident aliens, their spouses and dependents, who cannot get an SSN.IRS |
| ATIN | Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number | A child in a pending U.S. adoption.IRS |
| PTIN | Preparer Taxpayer Identification Number | Paid tax return preparers.IRS |
Only the first three matter to most readers. See what is an ITIN and our EIN service.
When a TIN is required
The IRS says a TIN must be on returns, statements and other tax-related documents, for example when you file a return or claim treaty benefits.IRS A TIN must also be on a withholding certificate if the beneficial owner claims tax treaty benefits (other than for income from marketable securities), an exemption for effectively connected income or an exemption for certain annuities.IRS
How to know which TIN you have
- You are a U.S. citizen or have a green card: an SSN. It is on your Social Security card.
- You run a business, trust or estate: an EIN. The IRS confirmation letter shows it.IRS
- You are a foreigner who files U.S. taxes without an SSN: an ITIN. It begins with 9 and is on your CP565 notice.IRSIRS
- You only have a number from your own country: that is a foreign TIN, not a U.S. TIN. The W-7 asks for it on line 6b.IRS
Not sure? Our guide to finding your ITIN shows where it is printed.
What a foreign TIN is
A foreign TIN (FTIN) is the tax ID your country of tax residence issued to you. Form W-7 asks for it on line 6b if you have one.IRS Form W-8BEN has a line for it too, and requires it for certain accounts at a U.S. office of a financial institution unless an exception applies.IRS Our W-8BEN guide explains.
Nolly.com charges US$199 for a Standard ITIN application and US$265 for Priority, one time. Most applicants also need a U.S. tax return: from $199, quoted before you pay. Money back if the IRS rejects your ITIN application. Terms apply. The IRS says to allow about 9 to 11 weeks when you apply from overseas or during tax season. Timing depends on the IRS.IRS
Your questions answered
A number the IRS uses to identify a taxpayer. Issued by the SSA (an SSN) or by the IRS (EIN, ITIN, ATIN, PTIN).IRS
It depends on who you are: an SSN if you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, an EIN if you are a business, an ITIN if you are a foreigner who needs a U.S. tax ID and cannot get an SSN.IRS
An SSN is one kind of TIN. The others are the EIN, ITIN, ATIN and PTIN.IRS
File Form W-7 with your U.S. tax return, or an exception, and proof of identity. Nolly.com charges US$199 for a Standard ITIN application and US$265 for Priority, one time. Most applicants also need a U.S. tax return: from $199, quoted before you pay. Money back if the IRS rejects your ITIN application. Terms apply.
More questions? See the full Nolly.com FAQ.
How we checked this
Every IRS fact on this page comes from IRS.gov or the other official pages listed below and was checked on October 2, 2026. Nolly.com's own prices are the only exception. Nolly.com is a private company and is not part of the IRS.
Nolly Services Inc, d/b/a Nolly.com, appears on the IRS page Acceptance agents – Canada. Nolly.com is a private company and isn't part of the IRS.
- Instructions for Form W-7 (Rev. 12-2024)https://www.irs.gov/instructions/iw7
- Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)https://www.irs.gov/individuals/individual-taxpayer-identification-number
- Understanding your CP565 noticehttps://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-cp565-notice
- Instructions for Form W-8BEN (Rev. October 2021)https://www.irs.gov/instructions/iw8ben
- Get an employer identification numberhttps://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/get-an-employer-identification-number
- Taxpayer identification numbers (TIN)https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/taxpayer-identification-numbers-tin
Checked against IRS.gov on October 2, 2026. General information, not tax advice.
