If you are a citizen of Botswana earning income from U.S. sources, investing in U.S. property, or planning to file taxes jointly with a U.S. spouse, you may need an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) issued by the IRS.

Currently, Botswana does not have a tax treaty with the United States. This means U.S. income for Botswana residents is typically subject to the default 30% withholding tax. While an ITIN cannot reduce this rate by itself, it is still essential for filing U.S. tax returns, reclaiming overpaid taxes, and staying compliant with IRS regulations.

We are an IRS-Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA). We help applicants in Botswana apply for ITINs securely, without mailing passports overseas.

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)

What ITIN is not:

  • Not a U.S. work permit or visa

  • Not immigration status

  • Not a replacement for SSN

Who Commonly Needs an ITIN?

  • Nonresident aliens with U.S.-sourced income

  • Real estate investors subject to FIRPTA when selling U.S. property

  • Spouses and dependents of U.S. taxpayers

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

  • Freelancers, contractors, and entrepreneurs paid by U.S. clients

Who in Botswana Should Apply for an ITIN?

Here are common scenarios for Botswana citizens:

  • Freelancers and Digital Workers
    Batswana professionals working through Upwork, Fiverr, PayPal, Stripe, Amazon, or AdSense often face 30% default withholding. With an ITIN, you can file U.S. taxes and reclaim overpaid amounts.

  • Property Investors
    Selling U.S. real estate triggers FIRPTA withholding (15% of the gross sale price). An ITIN is required to file a tax return and claim a refund if the withholding exceeds your actual liability.

  • Filing Jointly with a U.S. Spouse
    If you are married to a U.S. taxpayer, you’ll need an ITIN to be included on their return and access spousal tax benefits.

  • Investors in U.S. Companies or Stocks
    Dividends for Botswana residents are taxed at 30%. An ITIN ensures the income is properly reported and allows you to claim refunds.

  • Responsible Party for a U.S. LLC
    If you own or manage a U.S. LLC, you may need an ITIN for IRS compliance. Commonly required documents:

    • 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 included on a U.S. spouse’s or dependent’s return

  • Stay compliant with IRS rules

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

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

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

You must have a valid U.S. tax reason such as:

  • Filing a 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

The official IRS ITIN application form. Must be completed carefully 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 exempt

  • 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 sending your passport abroad. As an IRS CAA, we verify your documents locally in Botswana and submit your ITIN 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) will still take the full processing time by mail.

Why Use House of Bookkeepers (IRS CAA)?

✅ Passport stays safe — verified locally in Botswana

✅ Higher approval success rates, fewer rejections

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

✅ Official IRS authorization (listed CAA)

✅ Real-time 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 inaccurate Form W-7

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

  • Forgetting to attach a tax return (unless exempt)

  • Mailing important documents through unreliable services

  • Assuming ITIN provides immigration or work rights (it does not)

Quick FAQs – ITIN from Botswana

Q1. Can I apply for an ITIN from Botswana?
Yes. With House of Bookkeepers as your IRS CAA, you don’t need to travel or mail your passport.

Q2. Does Botswana have a tax treaty with the U.S.?
No. Botswana has no U.S. tax treaty, so income is taxed at the flat 30% rate. An ITIN is still essential 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 (~2.5 months), but the official IRS letter CP565 still requires the full timeline.

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 ensure faster and more secure delivery of your IRS correspondence.

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 safe and efficient for applicants in Botswana.

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

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