If you are a Saudi Arabian citizen earning income from U.S. sources, investing in U.S. property, or filing jointly with a U.S. spouse, you may need an ITIN  Number issued by the IRS.

Unlike some countries, Saudi Arabia does not have a tax treaty with the United States. This means U.S. income is usually subject to the default 30% withholding tax. An ITIN won’t eliminate that rate, but it is still essential for filing U.S. tax returns, reclaiming overpaid taxes, and staying compliant with the IRS.

At House of Bookkeepers, an IRS-Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA), we help applicants in Saudi Arabia obtain their ITIN letters securely – without mailing passports to the U.S.

What Is an ITIN?

An ITIN is a nine-digit number (format: 9XX-XX-XXXX) issued by the IRS to individuals who:

  • Need to file or report U.S. taxes

  • Are not eligible for a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN)

Who Commonly Uses ITINs?

  • Nonresident aliens with U.S.-sourced income

  • Property investors subject to FIRPTA when selling U.S. real estate

  • Spouses and dependents of U.S. taxpayers

  • International students or researchers on U.S. scholarships

  • Freelancers and contractors paid by U.S. clients or platforms

 

Other Reasons Saudis Apply for an ITIN

Beyond filing a standard tax return, many Saudis apply for an ITIN to:

  • Get paid on U.S. platforms: PayPal, Stripe, Amazon, eBay, Etsy, AdSense, Upwork, Fiverr

  • Reduce withholding tax: Required for W-8/W-9 forms to avoid default 30% withholding

  • Be the responsible party of a U.S. LLC: Needed for IRS compliance and business banking

  • Claim refunds of withheld taxes: On freelance income, dividends, or property sales

  • Be listed on a spouse’s or dependent’s return: For joint filing and family-related benefits

 

Who in Saudi Arabia Needs an ITIN?

Here are common cases where Saudi citizens require an ITIN:

  • Freelancers and Digital Workers
    If you work with U.S. clients or platforms (Upwork, Fiverr, Amazon, etc.), payments may be subject to 30% withholding. An ITIN allows you to file U.S. taxes and reconcile overpayments.

  • Property Investors
    Selling or renting out U.S. real estate triggers FIRPTA (Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act) rules. An ITIN is required to file taxes and recover excess withholding.

  • Filing Jointly with a U.S. Spouse
    If your spouse is a U.S. taxpayer, you’ll need an ITIN to file jointly and claim marriage-related tax benefits.

  • Investors in U.S. Stocks or Businesses
    U.S. dividends and other income are taxed at 30%. With an ITIN, you can file a return and claim refunds where applicable.

Benefits of Having an ITIN

  • File U.S. tax returns legally

  • Claim refunds for overpaid taxes

  • Comply with FIRPTA when selling property

  • Avoid permanently losing 30% of income to the IRS

  • Be included on a spouse’s or family tax return

  • Build smoother financial relationships with U.S. banks and institutions (when paired with an EIN/LLC)

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for an ITIN from Saudi Arabia in 2025

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

You need a U.S. tax-related reason such as:

  • Filing a U.S. tax return for income, investments, or freelance work

  • Selling or renting U.S. property

  • Filing jointly with a U.S. spouse

  • Being listed as a dependent on a U.S. tax return

Step 2: Complete Form W-7

The official IRS application form for an ITIN. Accuracy is crucial to avoid rejection.

Step 3: Gather Required Documents

  • Valid passport (scan copy is fine with a CAA; otherwise, IRS requires original or certified copy)

  • U.S. federal tax return (Form 1040 or 1040-NR), unless you qualify for an exception

  • Supporting documents (visa, U.S. income statements, property sale contract, scholarship letters, etc.)

👉 If you already have a U.S. LLC, you’ll also need:

  • Articles of Organization

  • Operating Agreement

  • IRS EIN Confirmation Letter (CP 575 Notice)

Step 4: Apply Through a Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA)

With House of Bookkeepers, you don’t need to mail your passport to the U.S. We verify your documents locally in Saudi Arabia and submit your application directly to the IRS.

ITIN Processing Timeline in 2025

  • Standard processing: 8–13 weeks

  • Peak season (Jan–Apr): up to 13–16 weeks

  • At HOB, we can retrieve your ITIN number by phone within ~2.5 months.

    • Note: The official ITIN letter (CP565) will still take the full processing time to arrive by mail.

Special Cases: Saudi + U.S. Spouse Filing Jointly

If the husband is a U.S. citizen or SSN holder and the wife is a nonresident, the IRS requires a paper filing process for the ITIN.

Here’s the process step-by-step:

  1. Prepare Joint Tax Return

    • Leave the ITIN field blank for the nonresident spouse.

  2. Prepare ITIN Application Package

    • Form W-7 (for the spouse)

    • W-7 COA (Certificate of Accuracy, issued by us as CAA)

    • Verified passport copy (we handle verification, no need to mail originals)

  3. Submit Together

    • Send the ITIN package + tax return to the IRS together.

  4. IRS Review & Issuance

    • IRS processes the return + ITIN application in one step

    • Accepts the tax return and issues the ITIN simultaneously

✅ No original passport required
✅ Single process — tax return + ITIN handled together
✅ Faster approval

Working with Your Accountant

If you already have an accountant:

  1. Ask your accountant to prepare the joint tax return and sign it (must be a handwritten signature — IRS does not accept e-signatures).

  2. Send us the signed return.

  3. We prepare the W-7, W-7 COA, and handle passport verification.

  4. We submit everything together to the IRS.

👉 Alternatively, we can prepare and send you the verified ITIN documents, which you can combine with your accountant’s filing and send to the IRS yourself.

Why Use House of Bookkeepers (IRS CAA)?

  • ✅ Passport stays safe — verified locally in Saudi Arabia

  • ✅ Higher approval rates, fewer rejections

  • ✅ End-to-end service: W-7 form, tax return, and IRS submission

  • ✅ Officially listed IRS Certified Acceptance Agent

  • ✅ Updates until your ITIN approval letter (CP565) arrives

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting incomplete Form W-7

  • Using uncertified passport copies (if not applying via CAA)

  • Forgetting to attach a tax return (unless exempt)

  • Mailing documents through unreliable couriers

  • Believing ITIN = U.S. work or immigration rights (it does not)

Quick FAQs – ITIN from Saudi Arabia

Q1. Can I apply for an ITIN from Saudi Arabia?
Yes. With House of Bookkeepers as your IRS CAA, you don’t need to travel or send your passport to the U.S.

Q2. Does Saudi Arabia have a tax treaty with the U.S.?
No. Saudi Arabia currently has no tax treaty with the U.S., so income is subject to the 30% default withholding rate.

Q3. How long does it take to get an ITIN?
8–13 weeks for the ITIN letter. The ITIN number may be retrieved earlier (~2.5 months) by phone.

Q4. Do I need a U.S. address?
A U.S. address is not mandatory. The IRS can send your ITIN letter directly to your foreign (non-U.S.) address as listed on your application. However, having a U.S. residential address or a reliable mail forwarding service is beneficial, as it can help delivery of your IRS letter more securely and faster.

Alternatively, we can also receive the letter at our address and send you a scanned copy by email.

Q5. How will you verify my identity?
As part of the IRS verification process, we’ll ask you to provide a selfie of yourself holding the passport’s information page. This simple step confirms that the passport belongs to you and helps us complete your identity verification securely.

Q6. How do I know if my ITIN is approved?
Once your ITIN is assigned, the IRS issues an official Letter CP565 confirming your number. If you haven’t received your ITIN within 13 weeks, contact us. We’ll follow up with the IRS and update you on the status.

Apply with Confidence

At House of Bookkeepers, we make ITIN applications safe and straightforward for applicants in Saudi Arabia.

📍 IRS-Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) – Saudi Arabia Service
🌍 Website: https://www.houseofbookkeepers.com

Start your ITIN application today – and secure compliance, refunds, and peace of mind.