If you are a Lebanese citizen earning income from U.S. sources, investing in U.S. property, freelancing for American clients, or filing taxes jointly with a U.S. spouse, you may need an ITIN from the IRS.

Currently, Lebanon does not have a tax treaty with the United States. This means U.S.-sourced income for Lebanese residents is usually taxed at the default 30% withholding rate. While an ITIN cannot reduce that rate by itself, it is still essential for:

  • Filing U.S. tax returns

  • Reclaiming overpaid taxes

  • Staying compliant with IRS requirements

At House of Bookkeepers, an IRS-Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA), we help applicants in Lebanon obtain ITINs securely — without mailing passports overseas.

What Is an ITIN?

An ITIN is a nine-digit tax processing 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)

What ITIN is not:

  • Not a work permit or visa

  • Not immigration status

  • Not a replacement for SSN

Who Commonly Needs an ITIN?

  • Nonresident aliens with U.S.-sourced income

  • Property investors covered by FIRPTA when selling U.S. real estate

  • Spouses and dependents of U.S. taxpayers

  • International students or researchers on U.S. scholarships or stipends

  • Freelancers, contractors, and Amazon sellers paid by U.S. companies

  • Responsible parties of U.S. LLCs

Who in Lebanon Should Apply for an ITIN?

Some common cases where Lebanese citizens require an ITIN:

  • Freelancers and Digital Workers
    Lebanese professionals working with U.S. clients or platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Amazon, PayPal, Stripe, or AdSense may face 30% default withholding. With an ITIN, you can file U.S. taxes and reclaim overpaid amounts.

  • Property Investors
    Selling U.S. property triggers FIRPTA withholding (15% of the gross sale price). An ITIN is needed to file a U.S. return and recover excess tax withheld.

  • Filing Jointly with a U.S. Spouse
    If your spouse is a U.S. taxpayer, you must have an ITIN to be included on their tax return and to qualify for spousal tax benefits.

  • Investors in U.S. Companies
    U.S. dividends for Lebanese investors are withheld at 30%. With an ITIN, you can file a return, report income, and reconcile withholding.

  • Responsible Party for a U.S. LLC
    If you own or manage a U.S. LLC, you may need an ITIN to meet IRS requirements. Required documents include:

    • Articles of Organization

    • Operating Agreement

    • IRS EIN Confirmation Letter (CP 575 Notice)

Benefits of Having an ITIN

  • File U.S. tax returns legally

  • Claim refunds for overpaid withholding taxes

  • Reclaim FIRPTA withholding when selling U.S. property

  • Be listed on a spouse’s or parent’s U.S. tax return

  • Ensure compliance with IRS rules

  • Build financial credibility with U.S. banks and institutions (when combined with an EIN/LLC)

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

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

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

  • Filing a tax return for U.S. income 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. return

Step 2: Complete Form W-7

This is the official IRS ITIN application form. Accuracy is important to avoid rejection.

Step 3: Gather Required Documents

  • Valid passport (scan copy works 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 contracts, scholarship letters, etc.)

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

With House of Bookkeepers, you don’t need to risk mailing your passport abroad. As an IRS CAA, we verify your documents locally in Lebanon and submit your application directly.

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 within ~2.5 months by contacting the IRS

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

Why Use House of Bookkeepers (IRS CAA)?

✅ Passport stays safe — verified locally in Lebanon

✅ Higher success rates, fewer rejections

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

✅ Official IRS authorization (listed CAA)

✅ Updates until your ITIN approval letter arrives

✅ 100% Money-Back Guarantee if rejected due to our process error

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting an incomplete or incorrect Form W-7

  • Using uncertified passport copies (if not applying with a CAA)

  • Forgetting to attach a U.S. tax return (unless exempt)

  • Mailing documents through unreliable services

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

Quick FAQs – ITIN from Lebanon

Q1. Can I apply for an ITIN from Lebanon?
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 Lebanon have a tax treaty with the U.S.?
No. Lebanon has no tax treaty with the United States. This means U.S. income is taxed at the 30% default rate, but an ITIN is still required to file returns and claim refunds.

Q3. How long does it take to get an ITIN?
8–13 weeks. At HOB, we can often retrieve your ITIN number earlier, though the IRS Letter CP565 will still take the full time to arrive.

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, if you have a U.S. residential address or a mail forwarding service, you may use it for convenience and faster delivery.

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.

Apply with Confidence

At House of Bookkeepers, we make ITIN applications simple and reliable for Lebanese applicants.

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

Apply today — and protect your U.S. income, refunds, and tax compliance.