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

Currently, Namibia does not have a tax treaty with the United States. This means U.S.-sourced income for Namibians is generally taxed at the default 30% withholding rate. While an ITIN cannot reduce this rate directly, it is still critical for:

  • Filing U.S. tax returns

  • Reclaiming excess withholding (such as from property sales under FIRPTA)

  • Accessing refunds you may be owed

  • Staying compliant with U.S. tax laws

At House of Bookkeepers, an IRS-Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA), we help applicants in Namibia obtain their ITIN letters safely — without mailing passports overseas.

What Is an ITIN?

An ITIN is a nine-digit number (format: 9XX-XX-XXXX) issued by the IRS for people 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 an SSN

Who Commonly Uses ITINs?

  • Nonresident aliens with U.S.-sourced income

  • Real estate investors under FIRPTA rules when selling U.S. property

  • Spouses and dependents of U.S. taxpayers

  • Students or researchers receiving U.S. scholarships or stipends

  • Freelancers, digital workers, and contractors working with U.S. clients

  • Responsible parties for U.S. LLCs

Who in Namibia Should Apply for an ITIN?

Here are typical cases where Namibians apply for ITINs:

  • Freelancers and Digital Workers
    If you earn through platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, PayPal, Stripe, Amazon, or AdSense, you may face the 30% withholding rate. With an ITIN, you can file taxes and request refunds.

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

  • Filing Jointly with a U.S. Spouse
    If your spouse is a U.S. taxpayer, you’ll need an ITIN to be included on their tax return and claim family tax benefits.

  • Investors in U.S. Companies
    Without a treaty, dividends for Namibians are withheld at 30%. With an ITIN, you can properly file with the IRS and reconcile your tax position.

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

    • Articles of Organization

    • Operating Agreement

    • IRS EIN Confirmation Letter (CP 575 Notice)

Benefits of Having an ITIN

  • File U.S. tax returns legally and avoid penalties

  • Claim refunds for overpaid taxes

  • Reclaim FIRPTA withholding on U.S. real estate transactions

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

  • Build credibility with U.S. banks, payment processors, and platforms (when paired with an EIN/LLC)

  • Keep your U.S. income tax affairs compliant and stress-free

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

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

You need a valid U.S. tax 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

The official IRS form to apply for an ITIN. Accuracy is key to avoid delays.

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 contracts, scholarship letters, etc.)

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

With House of Bookkeepers, you don’t need to send your passport abroad. We verify your documents locally in Namibia and handle the full ITIN submission directly with the IRS.

ITIN Processing Timeline in 2025

  • Standard processing: 8–13 weeks

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

  • At HOB, we can retrieve your ITIN number within ~2.5 months by contacting the IRS directly

    • Note: The official IRS Letter CP565 still takes the full timeline to arrive by mail

Why Use House of Bookkeepers (IRS CAA)?

✅ Passport stays safe — verified locally in Namibia

✅ 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 letter arrives

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

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting 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 immigration or work rights (it does not)

Quick FAQs – ITIN from Namibia

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

Q2. Does Namibia have a tax treaty with the U.S.?
No. Namibia does not currently have a treaty with the U.S. This means the default 30% withholding applies. An ITIN is still necessary for filing tax returns and requesting refunds.

Q3. How long does it take to get an ITIN?
Typically 8–13 weeks. At HOB, we can often retrieve your ITIN number earlier (~2.5 months), but the official IRS CP565 letter 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, safe, and reliable for Namibian applicants.

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

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