As a Belizean citizen generating income from the United States, you’re subject to a flat 30% withholding tax on payments like freelance fees, dividends, and royalties. While Belize doesn’t have a tax treaty with the U.S. to reduce this rate, you have a powerful tool to reclaim what’s rightfully yours: an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

An ITIN won’t reduce this rate directly, but it is still essential — it allows you to file U.S. tax returns, claim refunds, and stay compliant with IRS requirements.

At House of Bookkeepers, an IRS-Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA), we help Belizean applicants obtain their ITIN letters securely and efficiently — without mailing passports overseas.

What Is an ITIN?

An ITIN is your key to filing a U.S. tax return, which is the only way to claim refunds when too much tax has been withheld. Whether you’re a freelancer on Upwork, an investor in U.S. real estate, or married to a U.S. citizen, securing an ITIN is the essential first step toward protecting your finances.

An 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

  • Are not eligible for a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN)

🔍 What ITIN is not:

  • Not a work permit or visa

  • Not immigration status

  • Not a substitute for SSN

Who Commonly Needs an ITIN?

  • Nonresident aliens with U.S.-sourced income

  • Real estate investors under FIRPTA rules when selling U.S. property

  • Spouses and dependents of U.S. taxpayers

  • International students or researchers receiving U.S. scholarships

  • Freelancers, Amazon sellers, PayPal/Stripe users, and contractors paid by U.S. companies

Who in Belize Should Apply for an ITIN?

At House of Bookkeepers, as an IRS-Certified Acceptance Agent, we specialize in helping Belizean nationals navigate this process securely from home, without the need to mail your passport overseas. The most frequent examples are:

  • Freelancers and Digital Workers
    The 30% withheld by platforms like PayPal or Stripe can be crippling. Belizeans earning through Upwork, Fiverr, Amazon, PayPal, Stripe, or AdSense often face  default withholding. An ITIN allows you to file a tax return (Form 1040-NR) and potentially recover a significant portion based on your net income.

  • Property Investors
    FIRPTA withholding on property sales is 15%. However, your final capital gains tax is often much lower. An ITIN is mandatory to file a return and claim your refund.

  • Filing Jointly with a U.S. Spouse
    Filing a joint return can lead to substantial tax savings for your family. An ITIN for the Belizean spouse is required for this filing status.

  • Investors in U.S. Companies or Stocks
    Without a treaty, U.S. dividends are withheld at 30%. An ITIN ensures you can file a tax return and potentially recover part of the withholding.

  • Responsible Party for a U.S. LLC
    If you own or manage a U.S. LLC, you may need an ITIN for IRS filings. Documents usually required include your Articles of Organization, Operating Agreement, and IRS EIN Confirmation Letter (CP 575 Notice).

Benefits of Having an ITIN

  • File U.S. tax returns legally

  • Claim refunds for overpaid withholding taxes

  • Stay compliant with U.S. tax laws

  • Reclaim excess FIRPTA withholding from real estate sales

  • Be included on a spouse’s or dependent’s U.S. tax return

  • Build smoother relationships with U.S. banks and institutions (when combined with an EIN/LLC)

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for an ITIN from Belize in 2025

We understand the specific documentation and procedural needs for applicants from Belize. Our CAA status means we can verify your original documents locally, eliminating the risk of sending your passport to the IRS.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

You need a tax-related reason such as:

  • Filing a U.S. tax return for income or investments

  • Selling or renting U.S. property

  • Filing jointly with a U.S. spouse

  • Being claimed as a dependent on a U.S. return

Step 2: Complete Form W-7

This is the IRS application form for ITIN. It must be filled out accurately to avoid rejection.

Step 3: Gather Required Documents

  • Valid passport (scan copy works with a CAA; otherwise, IRS requires original or certified copy)

  • U.S. federal tax return (Form 1040 or 1040-NR), unless an exception applies

  • Supporting documents (visa, U.S. income statements, property sale contracts, scholarship letters, etc.)

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

With House of Bookkeepers, you don’t need to risk mailing your passport abroad. We verify your documents locally in Belize and submit your ITIN application directly.

ITIN Processing Timeline in 2025

  • Standard processing: 8–13 weeks

  • Peak season (Jan–Apr): up to 13–16 weeks

  • At HOB, we can retrieve your ITIN number within ~2.5 months by contacting the IRS.

    • Note: The official ITIN letter (CP565) still requires the full processing time to arrive by mail.

 

Why Use House of Bookkeepers (IRS CAA)?

  • ✅ Passport stays safe — verified locally in Belize

  • ✅ Higher approval success rates with fewer rejections

  • ✅ End-to-end support: W-7 form, COA, tax return, and submission

  • ✅ Official IRS authorization (listed CAA)

  • ✅ Real-time updates until your ITIN letter arrives

  • ✅ 100% Money-Back Guarantee if rejected due to our process error

Ready to Stop Overpaying U.S. Taxes?
Don’t let the lack of a tax treaty discourage you. Your path to compliance and refunds starts with an ITIN.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting incomplete or inaccurate Form W-7

  • Using uncertified passport copies (if not applying via CAA)

  • Forgetting to attach a U.S. tax return (unless exempt)

  • Mailing sensitive documents via unreliable couriers

  • Believing ITIN provides U.S. work or immigration rights (it does not)

Quick FAQs – ITIN from Belize

Q1. Can I apply for an ITIN from Belize?
Yes. With House of Bookkeepers as your IRS CAA, you don’t need to travel or mail your passport.

Q2. Does Belize have a tax treaty with the U.S.?
No. Belize has no treaty with the U.S., so income is taxed at the flat 30% rate. This makes having an ITIN even more important to claim refunds and stay compliant.

Q3. How long does it take to get an ITIN?
8–13 weeks. At HOB, we can often retrieve your ITIN number earlier (~2.5 months), but the IRS letter CP565 still takes the full time.

Q4. Do I need a U.S. address?
A U.S. address is not mandatory. The IRS can send your ITIN letter directly to your foreign (non-U.S.) address as listed on your application. However, if you have a U.S. residential address or a mail forwarding service, you may use it for convenience and faster delivery.

Alternatively, we can also receive the letter at our address and send you a scanned copy by email.

Q5. How will you verify my identity?
As part of the IRS verification process, we’ll ask you to provide a selfie of yourself holding the passport’s information page. This simple step confirms that the passport belongs to you and helps us complete your identity verification securely.

Apply with Confidence

At House of Bookkeepers, we make ITIN applications straightforward and safe for Belizean applicants.

📍 IRS-Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) – Belize Service
🌍 Website: https://www.houseofbookkeepers.com

Apply today — and protect your U.S. income, refunds, and compliance.