As a Guyana-based freelancer, Amazon seller, investor, or business owner earning income in the United States, you may require an ITIN – Individual Taxpayer Identification Number issued by the IRS.

The U.S.-Guyana Tax Treaty provides valuable tax incentives to Guyanese residents, including reduced or zero withholding tax on U.S.-source income such as dividends, interest, and royalties. To take advantage of these treaty benefits—or to receive payments smoothly on platforms like Stripe, Payoneer, Amazon, AdSense, Fiverr, or Upwork—you need a valid ITIN.

House of Bookkeepers is an IRS-Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA), we provide a secure and remote ITIN application service for Guyana, allowing applicants to obtain an ITIN without mailing their passports to the United States.

 

What Is an ITIN?

An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a nine-digit number (format: 9XX-XX-XXXX) issued by the IRS for individuals who need to file or report U.S. taxes but are not eligible for a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN).

🔍 What an ITIN is NOT:

  • Not a U.S. work permit
  • Not an immigration status
  • Not a substitute for an SSN
  • Not authorization to work in the U.S.

However, an ITIN is required for individuals in Guyana to file U.S. tax returns and receive payments legally from U.S.-based platforms including Stripe, Upwork, Fiverr, Amazon KDP, Amazon Seller Central, Google AdSense, Etsy, Payoneer, and more.

 

Who in Guyana Commonly Needs an ITIN

Freelancers & Digital Professionals

Designers, developers, consultants, writers, and digital creators in Guyana earning through Upwork, Fiverr, AdSense, Amazon KDP, or Payoneer often need an ITIN to:

  • File Form W-8BEN and comply with U.S. tax requirements

  • Avoid payment holds or account verification issues

  • File Form 1040-NR for compliance or to claim refunds

Amazon & E-Commerce Sellers

Guyanese sellers using Amazon FBA, Shopify, or Stripe Atlas need an ITIN to:

  • Complete W-8BEN or W-9 forms correctly

  • Avoid 30% default U.S. withholding

  • Handle tax filings for U.S. marketplaces or LLCs

Property Investors

If you rent or sell U.S. real estate, FIRPTA (Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act) withholds 15% of the sale price.

An ITIN allows you to file Form 1040-NR and reclaim excess withholding.

Filing Jointly with a U.S. Spouse

If your spouse is a U.S. citizen or green card holder, you’ll need an ITIN to file a joint return and access family-related tax benefits.

LLC Owners & Entrepreneurs

If you own or manage a U.S. LLC from Guyana, an ITIN is often required for IRS filings.

Typical documents include:

  • Articles of Organization

  • IRS EIN Confirmation Letter (CP575)

  • Operating Agreement (mandatory for multi-member LLCs)

Benefits of Having an ITIN from Guyana

    • File U.S. tax returns legally

    • Avoid or reduce 30% U.S. withholding

    • Claim refunds on overpaid U.S. taxes

    • Reclaim FIRPTA withholding on property sales

    • Open and maintain U.S. business or payment accounts

    • Build long-term credibility for U.S. business operations

 

U.S.-Guyana Tax Treaty Benefits

Guyana has a tax treaty with the U.S., allowing residents to benefit from reduced withholding. By obtaining an ITIN, applicants can file Form W-8BEN, claim tax treaty benefits, and receive payments from U.S. platforms like Stripe, Payoneer, and Amazon. ITINs are also needed for U.S. LLC or business tax filing, third-party reporting, and KYC/FATCA compliance.

 

Income Type Default Rate Treaty Rate(Thailand)
Dividends 30% 15%
Interest 30% 0-10%
Royalties 30% 5-15%

 

To claim treaty benefits, you need:

  • A valid ITIN
  • A properly completed Form W-8BEN
  • Form 8233 (for specific academic or research income)

 

How to Apply for an ITIN from Guyana in 2026

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Valid U.S. tax reasons for Guyanese residents include:

  • Filing a U.S. tax return (Form 1040-NR)
  • Claiming withholding relief via W-8BEN
  • Selling or renting U.S. property (FIRPTA)
  • Filing jointly with a U.S. spouse
  • Owning or managing a U.S. LLC
  • Receiving U.S. scholarships or research grants
  • Financial or banking compliance (KYC / FATCA)

If you only need to file W-8BEN for platform withholding or verification, you may qualify under an exception and may not need to attach a U.S. tax return.

 

ITIN Eligibility Scenarios for Guyana Applicants

Reason for Applying Description W-7 Box to Check Tax Return Required?
Filing a U.S. tax return Reporting freelance, investment, or property income b – Nonresident alien filing a U.S. tax return ✅ Yes (attach Form 1040-NR)
Claiming treaty benefits via W-8BEN Avoiding 30% withholding on platforms like Amazon, AdSense, Payoneer, Upwork h – Exception 1(d) ❌ No (treaty exception category)
U.S. rental or sale (FIRPTA) Reporting real estate sale or rental income b (if filing) or  h (if exception) ⚙️ Depends
Filing jointly with a U.S. spouse Joining a U.S. joint tax return e – Spouse of U.S. citizen/resident ✅ Yes (joint return)
Owning or managing a U.S. LLC Required for foreign reporting or EIN activation b or h (if treaty applies) ⚙️ Depends
Receiving U.S. scholarships or grants Nonresident student or researcher receiving taxable U.S. funds f – Nonresident alien student/professor/researcher ⚙️ Depends on institution
Bank or financial compliance Needed for U.S. banks, brokers, or FATCA purposes h – Exception 1(d) ❌ No (exception category)
Refund claim for excess withholding Claiming refund on U.S. source income b – Nonresident alien filing a U.S. tax return ✅ Yes (attach Form 1040-NR)

Note: Exception 1(d) applies to platform withholding, U.S. banking compliance, and LLC filings.

 

Step 2: Complete Form W-7

  • The official IRS ITIN application form
  • Accuracy is critical and even small errors can cause delays or rejection

Step 3: Gather Required Documents

  • Valid passport (scan works with a CAA; otherwise, original or certified copy)
  • U.S. tax return (Form 1040 / 1040-NR) unless exempt
  • Supporting proof such as W-8BEN, income statements, property documents, or scholarship letters

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

With House of Bookkeepers:

  • Passport stays in Guyana . No need to mail it to the U.S.
  • Identity verified locally
  • Certificate of Accuracy (COA) issued
  • Application submitted securely to the IRS

Why Choose House of Bookkeepers (IRS CAA)

  •  Your Passport stays secure and is verified locally
  •  Higher approval rate, fewer rejections
  •  Full support: W-7 form, COA, and IRS submission
  •  Official IRS-listed CAA
  •  Real-time updates until CP565 approval letter
  •  100% Money-Back Guarantee if rejected due to our error

ITIN Processing Timeline – 2026

  • Standard processing: 8–13 weeks
  • Peak season (Jan–Apr): 13–16 weeks

In many cases, we can retrieve your ITIN number within ~2.5 months, although the official IRS letter (CP565) may arrive later by mail.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Incomplete or incorrect W-7 entries
  • Using uncertified passport copies (if not via CAA)
  • Forgetting to attach a required tax return
  • Mailing originals via unreliable couriers
  • Assuming ITIN equals work authorization (it does not)

Quick FAQs for ITIN application from Guyana

Q1. Can I apply for an ITIN from Guyana?

Yes. With House of Bookkeepers as your IRS CAA, you can apply directly from Guyana, no need to send your passport to the U.S.

Q2. Does Guyana have a tax treaty with the U.S.?

No. Guyanese residents cannot claim reduced withholding under a treaty, but an ITIN is still required for compliance, refunds, and platform verification.

Q3. How will I know if my ITIN is approved?

You’ll receive IRS Letter CP565 once your ITIN is assigned. House of Bookkeepers notifies you as soon as it’s issued.

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 Guyanese address.

Q5. How will you verify my identity?

We’ll request a selfie holding your passport’s photo page, ensuring secure and compliant verification before submission.

 

Apply with Confidence

House of Bookkeepers makes ITIN applications for Guyana-based professionals simple, accurate, and fully IRS-compliant.

📍 IRS-Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) – Guyana Service

🌍 Website: https://www.houseofbookkeepers.com

Start your ITIN application today to ensure smooth payments, full compliance, and peace of mind with U.S.-source income.