If you operate as a freelancer, digital entrepreneur, investor, or Amazon seller in Turkey and receive income from U.S. sources, obtaining an ITIN from the IRS is often a necessary compliance step.

Although Turkey has a tax treaty with the United States that may lower withholding on specific categories of U.S. income, most American platforms and payers still require an ITIN to verify foreign status, apply treaty benefits correctly, and process payouts smoothly through services like Stripe, Payoneer, Amazon, Google AdSense, Fiverr, and Upwork.

As an IRS Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA), House of Bookkeepers provides a completely remote ITIN service for Turkey based applicants. This allows you to apply for ITIN from Turkey without sending your passport abroad, while all identity verification, documentation, and IRS submission are handled end to end on your behalf.

 

What Is an ITIN?

An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a U.S. tax ID issued by the IRS for individuals who have U.S. tax reporting or withholding obligations but do not qualify for a Social Security Number. It is a nine-digit number formatted as 9XX-XX-XXXX and is used strictly for tax and compliance purposes.

🔍 What an ITIN Does Not Do:

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

Despite these limits, an ITIN is often essential for individuals in Turkey who receive income from U.S. platforms such as Stripe, Upwork, Fiverr, Amazon Seller Central, Amazon KDP, Google AdSense, Etsy, Payoneer, and similar services that require IRS-recognized tax identification.

 

Why Freelancers and Business Owners in Turkey Need an ITIN

If you operate from Turkey and generate income connected to the United States through freelancing, digital sales, investments, or online commerce, an ITIN helps you remain compliant and keep your business running smoothly. Holding an ITIN allows you to:

  • File Form W-8BEN to formally declare non-U.S. tax status
  • Prevent automatic 30% U.S. withholding where treaty or exception rules apply
  • Minimize account reviews, payment freezes, or payout delays
  • Receive faster, uninterrupted payments from Stripe, Payoneer, and Amazon
  • File Form 1040-NR when U.S. tax reporting is required
  • Meet IRS and platform compliance standards without complications

Who in Turkey Commonly Requires an ITIN

Freelancers & Digital Professionals

Designers, developers, consultants, writers, and remote professionals in Turkey earning via Upwork, Fiverr, AdSense, Amazon KDP, or Payoneer often need an ITIN to:

  • Submit Form W-8BEN correctly
  • Avoid payout interruptions or compliance flags
  • File Form 1040-NR to claim refunds or fulfill IRS obligations

Amazon & E-Commerce Sellers

Turkey-based sellers using Amazon FBA, Shopify, or Stripe typically need an ITIN to:

  • Provide valid W-8BEN details to U.S. platforms
  • Avoid default 30% withholding
  • Manage U.S. marketplace or U.S. LLC tax reporting

U.S. Property Investors

When renting or selling U.S. real estate, FIRPTA applies a standard 15% withholding.

An ITIN allows you to file Form 1040-NR and recover excess tax withheld.

 

Joint Filing with U.S. Spouse

Turkish residents married to U.S. citizens or green card holders must have an ITIN to file a joint U.S. tax return and access applicable tax benefits.

 

LLC Owners & Entrepreneurs

Individuals in Turkey who own or operate a U.S. LLC usually require an ITIN for IRS and business compliance. Common supporting documents include:

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

Advantages of Having an ITIN from Turkey

  • File U.S. tax returns accurately and legally
  • Reduce or eliminate unnecessary U.S. withholding
  • Claim refunds on overpaid U.S. taxes
  • Recover FIRPTA deductions on property sales
  • Maintain U.S. payment processor and banking access
  • Build long-term credibility for the U.S. linked business activities

 

U.S. Turkey Tax Considerations

Turkey has an income tax treaty with the United States, which allows Turkish residents to benefit from reduced U.S. withholding on specific categories of U.S.-source income. Even with treaty protection, an ITIN is still required for:

  • Platform withholding and reporting through Stripe, Payoneer, and Amazon
  • U.S. LLC ownership or U.S. business tax filings
  • Banking, KYC, and FATCA compliance

Submitting Form W-8BEN together with a valid ITIN helps confirm your foreign tax status, prevents unnecessary withholding, ensures uninterrupted payouts, and supports accurate U.S. income reporting.

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

To Remain Compliant, You Typically Need

  • A valid ITIN
  • A correctly completed Form W-8BEN
  • Form 8233 only for specific academic or research-related income, where applicable

 

How to Apply for an ITIN from Turkey (2026)

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Residents of Turkey 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. real estate (FIRPTA)
  • Filing jointly with a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse
  • Owning or operating a U.S. LLC
  • Receiving U.S. sourced scholarships, fellowships, or research funding
  • Banking or financial compliance requirements (KYC / FATCA)

💡 If your ITIN is needed only 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 Turkey 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 Turkey 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 completed accurately to avoid 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 Form W-8BEN, contracts, income records, or bank letters

 

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

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

 

  • Passport remains safely in Turkey
  • Identity is verified locally
  • A Certificate of Accuracy (COA) is issued
  • The application is submitted directly to the IRS

 

ITIN Processing Timeline

  • Standard processing: 8 to 13 weeks
  • Peak season: 13 to 16 weeks
  • In many 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 Turkey

Q1. Can I apply for an ITIN from Turkey?

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

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

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

Q3. How will I know my ITIN is approved?

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

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

No. The IRS can mail your approval letter directly to your address in Turkey.

Q5. How is my identity verified?

Identity verification is completed 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 services for Turkey-based freelancers, investors, and business owners.

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

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

Start your ITIN application today to benefit from smoother payouts, treaty-based withholding, and stress-free U.S. tax compliance.