If you are running your freelance work, online business, investments, or Amazon sales from Sweden and earning money from U.S. based sources, an ITIN issued by the IRS may be required for compliance.

Sweden benefits from a U.S. tax treaty, which can reduce withholding on certain types of American income, but payment platforms and U.S. payers still demand a valid ITIN to confirm non U.S. status, apply the correct tax rules, and release earnings through Stripe, Payoneer, Amazon, Google AdSense, Fiverr, and Upwork without delays.

As an IRS Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA), House of Bookkeepers delivers a fully online ITIN solution for Sweden based applicants, making it easy to apply for ITIN from Sweden while your passport stays in your possession and all IRS verification and submission steps are managed on your behalf.

 

What Is an ITIN?

An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number ITIN is a nine digit U.S. tax identifier in the format 9XX XX XXXX issued by the IRS for people who must file or report U.S. taxes but are not eligible for a Social Security Number.

🔍 What an ITIN Does Not Do:

  • It does not serve as a U.S. work permit
  • It does not give immigration or residency status
  • It is not a substitute for a Social Security Number
  • It does not authorize employment inside the United States

Even so, an ITIN is necessary for individuals in Sweden who want to receive money from U.S. platforms such as Stripe, Upwork, Fiverr, Amazon KDP, Amazon Seller Central, Google AdSense, Etsy, Payoneer, and similar services in a compliant way.

 

Why Sweden Freelancers and Business Owners Need an ITIN

If you operate from Sweden as a freelancer, online creator, entrepreneur, remote worker, or investor earning income connected to the United States, an ITIN allows you to:

  • Complete Form W 8BEN to properly confirm your foreign tax status
  • Avoid the default 30 percent U.S. withholding
  • Reduce the risk of payment holds or account verification issues
  • Get smoother and quicker payouts from Stripe, Payoneer, and Amazon
  • Submit U.S. tax returns using Form 1040 NR when required
  • Remain aligned with IRS rules and payment platform requirements

 

Who in Sweden Commonly Needs an ITIN

Freelancers & Digital Professionals

Designers, developers, consultants, writers, and digital workers in Sweden earning through Upwork, Fiverr, Google AdSense, Amazon KDP, or Payoneer generally need an ITIN to:

  • Submit Form W 8BEN properly
  • Avoid payout delays or account reviews
  • File Form 1040 NR to claim refunds or meet IRS obligations

Amazon & E Commerce Sellers

Sweden based sellers using Amazon FBA, Shopify, or Stripe Atlas usually need an ITIN to:

  • Provide accurate W 8BEN or W 9 information
  • Avoid the standard 30 percent withholding
  • Handle U.S. marketplace or U.S. LLC tax reporting

Property Investors

When U.S. real estate is sold or rented out, FIRPTA applies a 15 percent withholding.

An ITIN lets you file Form 1040 NR to recover any excess tax paid.

 

Filing Jointly with U.S. Spouse

If married to a U.S. citizen or green card holder, an ITIN is required to file a joint U.S. tax return and access eligible family tax benefits.

 

LLC Owners & Entrepreneurs

Residents of Sweden who own or manage a U.S. LLC typically need an ITIN for IRS and business tax reporting. Standard documents include:

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

Benefits of Having an ITIN from Sweden

  • Submit U.S. tax returns in a compliant way
  • Lower or remove the standard 30 percent withholding
  • Request refunds on excess U.S. taxes paid
  • Recover FIRPTA withholding on property transactions
  • Open and maintain U.S. payment and business accounts
  • Strengthen long term credibility for U.S. connected business activity

 

U.S. Sweden Tax Considerations

Sweden has a tax treaty with the United States, which allows Swedish residents to access reduced withholding rates on certain types of U.S. sourced income. Even so, an ITIN is still required for:

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

Submitting Form W 8BEN with a valid ITIN helps ensure correct tax status, smooth payment processing, and accurate reporting of U.S. income.

 

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

To stay compliant, you normally need:

  • A valid ITIN
  • A properly completed Form W 8BEN
  • Form 8233 only for certain academic or research related income when applicable

 

How to Apply for an ITIN from Sweden (2026)

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

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

  • 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 grants
  • Banking or financial compliance (KYC / FATCA)

💡 If your ITIN is required only for W‑8BEN platform compliance, you may qualify under an IRS exception and might not need to attach a U.S. tax return.

 

ITIN Eligibility Scenarios for Sweden 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 Sweden 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 ITIN application. It must be completed accurately to avoid processing delays or rejection.

 

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)

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

  • Passport remains safely in Sweden
  • Identity 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 Sweden

Q1. Can I apply for an ITIN from Sweden?

Yes. With House of Bookkeepers as your IRS‑Certified Acceptance Agent, you can apply directly from Sweden without traveling to the United States.

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

Yes. Sweden has a comprehensive tax treaty with the United States that can reduce withholding on dividends, interest, and royalties when claimed with a valid ITIN and Form W‑8BEN.

Q3. How will I know my ITIN is approved?

The IRS issues Letter CP565 once your ITIN is approved. 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 straight to your Sweden address.

Q5. How is my identity verified?

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

 

Apply with Confidence

House of Bookkeepers delivers secure, accurate, and fully IRS‑compliant ITIN applications for Sweden‑based professionals and entrepreneurs

📍 IRS‑Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) – Sweden Service

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

Start your ITIN application today to enjoy smoother payments, reduced withholding, and hassle‑free United States tax compliance.