If you’re a freelancer, Amazon seller, or business owner in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) earning income from U.S. sources such as through Upwork, Fiverr, Amazon, Stripe, Payoneer, Etsy, or Shopify — you may need an ITIN Number issued by the IRS.

Unlike some countries, the UAE does not currently have a tax treaty with the United States. This means U.S. payers or platforms automatically withhold 30% tax on your earnings — unless you file a U.S. return and claim a refund. Having an ITIN helps you stay tax-compliant, claim refunds, and maintain smooth payment operations.

At House of Bookkeepers, an IRS-Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA), we help UAE residents apply for and obtain ITINs 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 Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for individuals who:

  • Need to file or report U.S. taxes

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

🔍 What an ITIN is not:

  • Not a visa or immigration status

  • Not authorization to work in the U.S.

  • Not a substitute for an SSN

However, it’s essential for receiving payments legally from U.S. companies and global platforms like Stripe, Payoneer, Amazon, and Google AdSense.

Why Freelancers and Entrepreneurs in the UAE Need an ITIN

Many professionals in the UAE — especially freelancers and business owners — work remotely for U.S. based clients or platforms. Without an ITIN, U.S. payers automatically withhold 30% of your income, which is often higher than your actual tax liability.

Having an ITIN helps you:

  • File Form W-8BEN (instead of W-9) to reduce or recover U.S. withholding

  • File a U.S. tax return (Form 1040-NR) for refund claims or reporting

  • Avoid payment holds or verification issues on platforms like Upwork or Stripe

  • Open or link U.S. bank accounts or payment systems

  • Build a verified U.S. tax record for your business

Who in the UAE Commonly Needs an ITIN

  • Freelancers, Creators & Digital Workers

UAE professionals earning from platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, Payoneer, AdSense, Amazon KDP, or Stripe may face 30% default withholding.
With an ITIN, you can:

    • File W-8BEN to avoid or reduce U.S. tax withholding

    • File Form 1040-NR to claim refunds

    • Ensure faster, uninterrupted payments on global platforms

  • Property Investors

Selling or renting U.S. real estate triggers FIRPTA (Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act) withholding (15% of sale price). An ITIN lets you file a return and reclaim excess tax withheld.

  • Filing Jointly with a U.S. Spouse

If your spouse is a U.S. taxpayer, you need an ITIN to file a joint return and access tax benefits such as spousal exemptions or credits.

  • LLC Owners & Entrepreneurs

If you own a U.S. LLC, you’ll need an ITIN for IRS compliance, especially if your LLC is used for Stripe, Shopify, or Amazon operations.
Required documents may include:

    • Articles of Organization

    • IRS EIN Confirmation Letter (CP575 Notice)

    • Operating Agreement (required for multi-member LLCs)

If your LLC is single-member, an operating agreement may not be necessary.

Benefits of Having an ITIN

✔️ File U.S. tax returns legally
✔️ Claim refunds for overpaid taxes
✔️ Avoid permanent 30% withholding on your U.S. income
✔️ Stay compliant with U.S. IRS regulations
✔️ Qualify for refunds from FIRPTA withholding
✔️ Improve business credibility with U.S. banks, clients, and platforms
✔️ Get paid faster on Stripe, Amazon, or Payoneer

How to Apply for an ITIN from the UAE in 2025

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

You need a valid tax-related reason such as:

  • Filing a U.S. tax return (Form 1040 or 1040-NR)

  • Claiming a refund for over-withholding

  • Managing a U.S. LLC or investment property

  • Filing jointly with a U.S. spouse

Step 2: Complete Form W-7

This is the official IRS ITIN application form. Ensure accuracy — even small mistakes can delay approval.

Step 3: Gather Required Documents

  • Valid passport (scan copy works if applying via a CAA; otherwise, the IRS requires originals or certified copies)

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

  • Supporting documents (U.S. income proof, visa, property contracts, or business documents)

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

With House of Bookkeepers, you don’t have to mail your passport to the U.S.
We verify your documents locally in the UAE, prepare your Certificate of Accuracy (COA), and submit your application directly to the IRS.

Why Use House of Bookkeepers (IRS CAA)?

✅ Passport verified safely — no mailing required
✅ Higher approval rates, fewer rejections
✅ End-to-end service: W-7 form, COA, tax return, and submission
✅ Official IRS-listed Certified Acceptance Agent
✅ Real-time updates until you receive your ITIN approval letter (CP565)
✅ 100% Money-Back Guarantee if rejected due to our error

ITIN Processing Timeline in 2025

  • Standard processing: 8–11 weeks

  • Peak filing season (Jan–Apr): 13–16 weeks
    House of Bookkeepers can often retrieve your ITIN number within ~2.5 months by contacting the IRS, though the physical Letter CP565 takes the full time to arrive.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

🚫 Incomplete or inaccurate Form W-7
🚫 Submitting uncertified passport copies (if not applying through a CAA)
🚫 Forgetting to attach a tax return (unless exempt)
🚫 Mailing documents through unreliable courier services
🚫 Believing an ITIN is a visa or work permit

Quick FAQs – ITIN from UAE

Q1. Can I apply for an ITIN from the UAE?
Yes. With House of Bookkeepers as your IRS CAA, you can apply entirely from the UAE — no need to travel or mail your passport to the U.S.

Q2. Does the UAE have a tax treaty with the U.S.?
No. There’s currently no US-UAE tax treaty, meaning income is subject to the 30% default withholding rate. However, having an ITIN allows you to file a tax return and claim refunds where eligible.

Q3. How will I know if my ITIN is approved?
The IRS issues Letter CP565 once your ITIN is assigned. If you haven’t received it within 13 weeks, contact us — we’ll follow up and update you immediately.

Q4. Do I need a U.S. address?
A U.S. address is not mandatory. The IRS can send your ITIN letter to your foreign (UAE) address listed on your application.
However, having a U.S. residential address or a reliable mail forwarding service can help ensure faster and safer delivery.
Alternatively, we can receive the letter at our address and send you a scanned copy by email (not recommended though).

Q5. How will you verify my identity?
We’ll ask you to provide a selfie of yourself holding your passport’s information page. This quick step helps verify your identity securely and ensures your application is IRS-compliant.

Apply with Confidence

At House of Bookkeepers, we make ITIN applications simple, safe, and fully IRS-compliant for UAE residents.

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

Start your ITIN application today — and enjoy faster payments, IRS compliance, and peace of mind when working with U.S. clients or platforms.