If you are based in Singapore as a freelancer, Amazon seller, investor, or business owner and earn income from U.S. sources, you may be required to obtain an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) issued by the IRS.

Although Singapore has a limited tax treaty with the United States, most online platforms and U.S. payers still require a valid ITIN to correctly classify your foreign status, apply the proper withholding, and release payments without interruption from services such as Stripe, Payoneer, Amazon, Google AdSense, Fiverr, and Upwork.

As an IRS Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA), House of Bookkeepers supports Singapore based applicants through a fully remote process that allows you to apply for an ITIN from Singapore while your passport remains safely with you and all IRS verification and submission is handled on your behalf.

What Is an ITIN?

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

🔍 What an ITIN Does Not Do:

  • It is not a U.S. work visa
  • It does not provide immigration or residency rights
  • It is not a replacement for a Social Security Number
  • It does not authorize employment in the United States 

Even so, an ITIN is essential for Singapore residents who want to legally receive payments from U.S. platforms like Stripe, Upwork, Fiverr, Amazon KDP, Amazon Seller Central, Google AdSense, Etsy, Payoneer, and similar services.

 

Why Singapore Freelancers and Business Owners Need an ITIN

If you are a Singapore-based freelancer, digital creator, entrepreneur, remote professional, or investor earning U.S.-sourced income, having an ITIN helps you to:

  • Complete Form W-8BEN accurately to declare foreign tax status
  • Avoid the standard 30 percent U.S. withholding
  • Prevent account reviews, payment blocks, or delayed payouts
  • Receive faster and smoother payments from Stripe, Payoneer, and Amazon
  • File U.S. tax returns (Form 1040-NR) when required
  • Maintain compliance with IRS regulations and payment platform policies 

Who in Singapore Commonly Needs an ITIN

Freelancers & Digital Professionals

Designers, developers, consultants, writers, and other online professionals in Singapore who earn through Upwork, Fiverr, Google AdSense, Amazon KDP, or Payoneer usually need an ITIN to:

  • Submit Form W-8BEN correctly
  • Avoid account verification delays or payout interruptions
  • File Form 1040-NR for refunds or IRS compliance 

Amazon & E-Commerce Sellers

Singapore-based sellers operating on Amazon FBA, Shopify, or Stripe Atlas typically require an ITIN to:

  • Complete W-8BEN or W-9 forms accurately
  • Avoid the default 30 percent U.S. withholding
  • Manage U.S. marketplace or U.S. LLC tax reporting 

Property Investors

If you rent out or sell U.S. real estate, FIRPTA imposes 15 percent withholding on the transaction.

Holding an ITIN allows you to file Form 1040-NR and reclaim any overpaid withholding.

 

Filing Jointly with U.S. Spouse

If your spouse is a U.S. citizen or green card holder, an ITIN is needed to file a joint U.S. tax return and claim any eligible family-related tax benefits.

LLC Owners & Entrepreneurs

Singapore residents who own or operate a U.S. LLC often require an ITIN for IRS reporting and business taxes. Common documents include:

  • Articles of Organization
  • IRS EIN Confirmation Letter (CP575)
  • Operating Agreement for multi-member LLCs 

Benefits of Having an ITIN from Singapore

  • File U.S. tax returns legally
  • Reduce or eliminate the standard 30 percent withholding
  • Claim refunds on overpaid U.S. taxes
  • Reclaim FIRPTA withholding on property transactions
  • Open and maintain U.S. business and payment accounts
  • Establish credibility for long-term U.S.-connected business operations

 

U.S.-Singapore Tax Considerations

Singapore does not have a comprehensive tax treaty with the United States. As a result, most U.S.-source income is subject to standard withholding. Nonetheless, an ITIN is still required for:

  • Platform withholding and reporting (Stripe, Payoneer, Amazon)
  • U.S. LLC or business tax filing
  • Banking, KYC, and FATCA compliance 

Submitting Form W-8BEN with a valid ITIN ensures accurate tax classification, uninterrupted payments, and proper reporting of U.S.-sourced income.

To remain compliant, you generally 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 Singapore (2026)

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Residents of Singapore may qualify for an ITIN for the following U.S. tax and compliance purposes:

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

    • Platform compliance through Form W-8BEN

    • Selling or renting U.S. property (FIRPTA)

    • Filing jointly with a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse

    • Owning or operating a U.S. LLC

    • Receiving U.S. sourced scholarships or research funding

    • 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 might not need to file a U.S. tax return

 

ITIN Eligibility Scenarios for Singapore 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 Singapore 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, U.S. banking compliance, and LLC filings.

 

Step 2: Complete IRS Form W-7

Form W-7 is the official IRS application for an ITIN and must be filled out carefully to prevent rejection or processing delays

Step 3: Prepare the Required Documents

You will need:

  • A valid passport verified locally through a Certified Acceptance Agent
  • A U.S. tax return if required
  • Supporting documents such as W-8BEN, contracts, income records, or bank letters 

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

Singapore residents can use House of Bookkeepers to apply fully remotely with secure handling:

  • Passport remains safely in Singapore
  • Identity is verified locally
  • Certificate of Accuracy (COA) is issued
  • Application is submitted directly to the IRS 

ITIN Processing Timeline

  • Standard processing 8 to 13 weeks
  • Peak season 13 to 16 weeks

In most cases, your ITIN can be retrieved in around 2.5 months even if the official IRS letter CP565 arrives later by mail

 

Quick FAQs for ITIN from Singapore

Q1. Can I apply for an ITIN from Singapore?

Yes. Using House of Bookkeepers as your IRS-Certified Acceptance Agent allows you to apply directly from Singapore without traveling to the United States

Q2. Does Singapore have a U.S. tax treaty?

No. Singapore does not have a comprehensive U.S. tax treaty, but an ITIN is still necessary for platform compliance, U.S. tax reporting, and financial institution requirements

Q3. How will I know my ITIN is approved?

The IRS issues Letter CP565 upon approval. House of Bookkeepers will notify you once confirmation is received

Q4. Do I need a U.S. address?

No. The IRS can send your approval letter directly to your Singapore address

Q5. How is my identity verified?

Identity is confirmed through passport validation and a compliance selfie following IRS CAA standards. No original documents are sent to the United States

 

Apply with Confidence

House of Bookkeepers provides secure, accurate, and fully IRS-compliant ITIN applications for Singapore-based professionals and entrepreneurs

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

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

Start your ITIN application today to enjoy smoother payments, reduced withholding, and stress-free U.S. tax compliance