If you are a freelancer, Amazon seller, investor, or business owner in Antigua and Barbuda earning income from the United States, you may need an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The U.S.-Antigua and Barbuda Tax Treaty offers Antigua residents important tax benefits, including reduced or zero U.S. withholding tax on income such as dividends, interest, and royalties. To take full advantage of these treaty benefits and receive uninterrupted payments from platforms such as Stripe, Payoneer, Amazon, Google AdSense, Fiverr, or Upwork, a valid ITIN is required.

As an IRS-Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA), House of Bookkeepers helps professionals from Antigua and Barbuda obtain their ITINs safely and remotely, ensuring a smooth application process without ever mailing 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 essential for individuals in Antigua who want to receive payments legally from U.S.-based platforms such as Stripe, Upwork, Fiverr, Amazon KDP, Amazon Seller Central, Google AdSense, Etsy, Payoneer, and more.

 

Why Antiguan Freelancers and Business Owners Need an ITIN

If you’re a freelancer, digital creator, remote worker, entrepreneur, or investor based in Antigua earning U.S.-sourced income, having an ITIN can help you:

  • Submit Form W-8BEN to claim U.S.–Antigua and Barbuda tax treaty benefits
  • Avoid the standard 30% U.S. withholding tax
  • Prevent account suspensions or payment delays
  • Receive faster payouts from Stripe, Payoneer, and Amazon
  • File U.S. tax returns (Form 1040-NR) when necessary
  • Maintain long-term compliance with the IRS and global payment platforms

 

Who in Antigua & Barbuda Commonly Needs an ITIN

Freelancers & Digital Professionals

Designers, developers, consultants, writers, and other digital creators in Antigua and Barbuda earning via Upwork, Fiverr, AdSense, Amazon KDP, or Payoneer typically require an ITIN to:

  • Submit Form W-8BEN and stay compliant with U.S. tax regulations
  • Avoid payment holds or verification issues
  • File Form 1040-NR to claim refunds or remain compliant

 

Amazon & E-Commerce Sellers

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

  • Properly complete W-8BEN or W-9 forms
  • Prevent 30% default U.S. withholding
  • Manage tax filings for U.S. marketplaces or LLCs

Property Investors

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

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

 

Filing Jointly with U.S. Spouse

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

 

LLC Owners & Entrepreneurs

Antiguan residents who own or manage a U.S. LLC often need an ITIN for IRS filings. Key documents usually include:

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

Benefits of Having an ITIN from Antigua & Barbuda

  • File U.S. tax returns legally
  • Reduce or avoid 30% U.S. withholding
  • Claim refunds on overpaid taxes
  • Reclaim FIRPTA withholding on property sales
  • Open and maintain U.S. business or payment accounts
  • Build long-term credibility for U.S.-based business operations

US-Antigua Tax Treaty Benefits

Antigua has a tax treaty with the United States, so residents can benefit from reduced withholding rates on certain types of U.S.-source income.

Even if a situation falls outside treaty benefits, Antigua and Barbuda residents can obtain an ITIN for:

  • Third-party withholding and platform reporting (e.g., Stripe, Payoneer, Amazon)
  • U.S. LLC or business tax filings
  • Financial institution compliance (KYC / FATCA)

This means Antigua applicants can file Form W-8BEN to certify foreign status, claim treaty benefits, and receive payments from U.S. platforms efficiently.

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

 

Requirements to Claim Treaty Benefits:

  • A valid ITIN
  • A correctly filled W-8BEN (for individuals) or Form 8233 (for researchers/educators)

 

How to Apply for an ITIN from Antigua & Barbuda 2026

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Valid U.S. tax reasons for Antigua 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 not need to attach a U.S. tax return.

ITIN Eligibility Scenarios for Antigua & Barbuda 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): Third party withholding ❌ 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 (Usually yes for multi-member LLCs)
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

  • Official IRS ITIN application form
  • Accuracy is critical and a 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:

  • Your passport stays in Antigua and Barbuda with no mailing 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)

✅ Passport stays safe and 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: 8-13 weeks
  • Peak (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.

Quick FAQs for ITIN from Antigua

Q1. Can I apply for an ITIN from Antigua?

Yes. With House of Bookkeepers as your IRS CAA, you can apply directly from Antigua.

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

Yes. The treaty reduces withholding on dividends, interest, and royalties.

Q3. How will I know my ITIN is approved?

You’ll receive IRS Letter CP565 once issued.

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

No. The IRS can mail your ITIN letter directly to Antigua.

Q5. How is identity verified?

We verify identity securely using passport validation and a compliance selfie.

 

Apply with Confidence

House of Bookkeepers ensures ITIN applications for Antigua based professionals are simple, accurate, and fully IRS-compliant.

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

🌍 Website: houseofbookkeepers.com

Start your ITIN application today — and enjoy full access to U.S.-Antigua tax treaty benefits, faster payments, and stress-free IRS compliance.