If you operate from Norway as a freelancer, Amazon seller, investor, or business owner and receive income connected to the United States, you will likely need an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) issued by the IRS.
Because Norway has a U.S. tax treaty, certain U.S. income can qualify for reduced or exempt withholding. To properly claim these treaty benefits, confirm your foreign tax status, and avoid payment blocks from platforms like Stripe, Payoneer, Amazon, Google AdSense, Fiverr, and Upwork, a valid ITIN is essential.
As an IRS-Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA), House of Bookkeepers helps Norway applicants apply for an ITIN from Norway through a fully remote process, keeping passports safely in Norway while handling IRS verification and submission.
What Is an ITIN?
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a nine-digit number (format 9XX-XX-XXXX) assigned by the IRS to individuals who need to report or file U.S. taxes but do not qualify for a Social Security Number (SSN).
🔍 What an ITIN Does Not Do:
- It is not a work visa or permit in the U.S.
- It does not grant immigration or residency status
- It does not replace a Social Security Number
- It does not authorize employment in the U.S.
That said, an ITIN is necessary for people in Norway who want to receive payments from U.S. platforms like Stripe, Upwork, Fiverr, Amazon KDP, Amazon Seller Central, Google AdSense, Etsy, Payoneer, and others legally and without interruptions.
Why Norway Freelancers and Business Owners Need an ITIN
If you are a Norway-based freelancer, creator, entrepreneur, remote worker, or investor earning U.S.-sourced income, having an ITIN helps you to:
- Complete Form W-8BEN accurately to confirm your foreign status
- Avoid the standard 30% U.S. withholding on payments
- Prevent payment delays, account freezes, or verification issues
- Receive faster payouts from Stripe, Payoneer, and Amazon
- File U.S. tax returns (Form 1040-NR) when required
- Stay compliant with IRS regulations and platform requirements
Who in Norway Commonly Needs an ITIN
Freelancers & Digital Professionals
Designers, developers, writers, consultants, and other online creators in Norway earning via Upwork, Fiverr, Google AdSense, Amazon KDP, or Payoneer typically need an ITIN to:
- Submit Form W-8BEN correctly
- Avoid account verification delays or payment interruptions
- File Form 1040-NR for refunds or compliance purposes
Amazon & E-Commerce Sellers
Norway-based e-commerce operators on Amazon FBA, Shopify, or Stripe Atlas generally require an ITIN to:
- Fill W-8BEN or W-9 forms accurately
- Prevent automatic 30% withholding
- Handle U.S. LLC or marketplace tax reporting
Property Investors
If you own or sell U.S. real estate, FIRPTA requires 15% withholding on the sale.
Having an ITIN lets you file Form 1040-NR to reclaim any excess taxes withheld.
Filing Jointly with U.S. Spouse
If your spouse is a U.S. citizen or green card holder, you will need an ITIN to file a joint U.S. tax return and access applicable family-related tax benefits.
LLC Owners & Entrepreneurs
Norwegian residents who manage or own a U.S. LLC often need an ITIN for IRS reporting and business taxes. Typical documents include:
- Articles of Organization
- IRS EIN Confirmation Letter (CP575)
- Operating Agreement (mandatory for multi-member LLCs)
Benefits of Having an ITIN from Norway
- Legally file U.S. tax returns
- Minimize or remove 30% U.S. withholding
- Claim refunds on overpaid U.S. taxes
- Recover FIRPTA withholding from property transactions
- Open and maintain U.S. business or payment accounts
- Build credibility for long-term U.S.-based operations
U.S.-Norway Tax Considerations
Norway does not have a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States. Nevertheless, an ITIN is still necessary for:
- Platform withholding and reporting (Stripe, Payoneer, Amazon)
- U.S. LLC or business tax filings
- Banking, KYC, and FATCA compliance
Submitting Form W-8BEN with a valid ITIN ensures correct tax classification, uninterrupted payments, and proper reporting for U.S.-sourced income.
To Remain Compliant, You Typically Need:
- A valid ITIN
- A correctly completed Form W-8BEN
- Form 8233 (only for specific academic or research income, if applicable)
How to Apply for an ITIN from Norway (2026)
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Valid reasons for Norway residents include:
- Filing a U.S. tax return (Form 1040-NR)
- Platform compliance through 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
- Banking or financial compliance (KYC / FATCA)
💡 If your ITIN is only needed for W-8BEN platform compliance, you may qualify under an IRS exception and may not need to attach a U.S. tax return.
ITIN Eligibility Scenarios for Norway 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) |
| Platform compliance via W-8BEN | Providing ITIN to meet compliance and avoid account holds on Stripe, Amazon, Payoneer, AdSense | h – Exception 1(d): Third-party withholding | ❌ No (exception category) |
| U.S. rental or sale (FIRPTA) | Reporting U.S. real estate rental or sale income | b (if filing) or h (if exception applies) | ⚙️ Depends |
| Filing jointly with U.S. spouse | Norway residents married to U.S. citizens or green card holders | 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 (if filing) or h – Exception 1(d) | ⚙️ Depends (usually yes for multi-member LLCs) |
| Receiving U.S. scholarships or grants | Nonresident student or researcher receiving U.S. taxable funds | f – Nonresident alien student/professor/researcher | ⚙️ Depends on institution |
| Bank or financial compliance | U.S. banks, brokers, or processors require a U.S. tax ID for KYC/FATCA | h – Exception 1(d) | ❌ No (exception category) |
| Refund claim for excess withholding | Requesting refund on U.S. income (e.g., 1042-S or 1099) | b – Nonresident alien filing a U.S. tax return | ✅ Yes (attach Form 1040-NR) |
Note: Exception 1(d) applies to platform withholding (Stripe, Payoneer, Amazon), U.S. banking compliance, and LLC filings. Always confirm your situation with a tax professional, especially for FIRPTA, scholarships, and LLC ownership.
Step 2: Complete Form W-7
This is the official IRS ITIN application. Accuracy is key to avoid delays or rejection.
Step 3: Gather Required Documents
- Valid passport (verified locally through a CAA)
- U.S. tax return (if required)
- Supporting documents (W-8BEN, contracts, income statements)
Step 4: Apply Through a Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA)
With House of Bookkeepers:
- Passport stays safely in Norway
- Identity verified locally
- Certificate of Accuracy (COA) issued
- IRS submission handled securely
ITIN Processing Timeline
- Standard processing: 8–13 weeks
- Peak season: 13–16 weeks
In most cases, your ITIN can be retrieved in about 2.5 months, even if the official IRS letter (CP565) arrives later by mail
Quick FAQs for ITIN from Norway
Q1. Can I apply for an ITIN from Norway?
Yes. With House of Bookkeepers as your IRS-Certified Acceptance Agent, you can apply directly from Norway without traveling to the U.S.
Q2. Does Norway have a U.S. tax treaty?
No. Norway does not have a comprehensive tax treaty with the U.S., but an ITIN is still required for platform compliance, U.S. tax filings, and banking obligations.
Q3. How will I know my ITIN is approved?
The IRS issues Letter CP565 upon approval. House of Bookkeepers will notify you as soon as confirmation is received.
Q4. Do I need a U.S. address?
No. The IRS can mail your approval letter directly to your Norway address.
Q5. How is my identity verified?
Identity is confirmed via passport validation and a compliance selfie, in line with IRS CAA standards. No original documents are sent to the U.S.
Apply with Confidence
House of Bookkeepers ensures ITIN applications for Norway-based professionals are secure, accurate, and fully IRS-compliant.
📍 IRS-Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) – Norway Service
🌍 Website: https://www.houseofbookkeepers.com
Start your ITIN application today and enjoy smoother payments, reduced withholding, and hassle-free U.S. tax compliance.
