If you are a Jamaican citizen earning income from U.S. sources, investing in U.S. property, or planning to file taxes jointly with a U.S. spouse, you may need an ITIN Number issued by the IRS.

The advantage for Jamaicans: the United States and Jamaica have a tax treaty. This means that with an ITIN, you may qualify for reduced withholding tax rates on U.S. dividends, royalties, interest, or scholarships — saving you money compared to the default 30% withholding.

At House of Bookkeepers, an IRS-Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA), we help applicants in Jamaica obtain their ITIN letters securely without ever mailing passports overseas.

What Is an ITIN?

An ITIN is a nine-digit tax processing number (format: 9XX-XX-XXXX) assigned by the IRS to individuals who:

  • Need to file or report U.S. taxes

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

 

Who Commonly Needs an ITIN?

  • Nonresident aliens with U.S.-sourced income

  • Real estate investors subject to FIRPTA withholding

  • Spouses and dependents of U.S. taxpayers

  • Jamaican students or researchers on U.S. scholarships

  • Freelancers, Amazon sellers, digital workers, and contractors paid by U.S. companies

Who in Jamaica Should Apply for an ITIN?

Some common scenarios:

  • Freelancers and Digital Workers
    Jamaicans working with U.S. clients via Upwork, Fiverr, Amazon, PayPal, Stripe, or AdSense may face 30% withholding. An ITIN lets you file taxes and claim treaty benefits.

  • Property Investors
    Selling or renting U.S. real estate triggers FIRPTA (Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act) withholding. An ITIN is required to file a return and recover overpaid taxes.

  • Filing Jointly with a U.S. Spouse
    If your spouse is a U.S. taxpayer, you must have an ITIN to be included on their return and claim spousal deductions.

  • Investors in U.S. Stocks or Companies
    Thanks to the U.S.–Jamaica tax treaty, withholding on dividends, royalties, and other payments may be reduced. An ITIN ensures you can claim these benefits.

  • Responsible Party for a U.S. LLC
    If you own a U.S. LLC, you’ll need an ITIN to fulfill IRS reporting requirements. Required documents 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 and avoid penalties

  • Claim refunds for excess withholding

  • Apply U.S.–Jamaica treaty benefits for reduced tax rates

  • Avoid the default 30% withholding tax on U.S. income

  • Stay compliant with FIRPTA on real estate sales

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

  • Strengthen financial credibility with U.S. banks and platforms (when paired with EIN/LLC)

U.S.–Jamaica Tax Treaty Benefits

Thanks to the treaty, Jamaican residents may pay less tax on U.S. income:

  • Dividends: Treaty may reduce withholding below the standard 30%

  • Interest: Often reduced or exempt under certain conditions

  • Royalties: Reduced rates for intellectual property royalties

  • Students & Researchers: Scholarship or fellowship income may be exempt for a limited time under treaty provisions

👉 To access these benefits, you need:

  • An ITIN

  • The correct IRS form (W-8BEN for individuals, Form 8233 for students/scholars) submitted to the U.S. payer

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

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

You need a U.S. tax-related reason such as:

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

  • Selling or renting U.S. property

  • Filing jointly with a U.S. spouse

  • Claiming treaty benefits under the U.S.–Jamaica agreement

Step 2: Complete Form W-7

The IRS’s official ITIN application form. Accuracy is essential 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 you qualify for an exception

  • 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 to the U.S. We verify your documents locally in Jamaica and submit your application directly to the IRS.

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 calling the IRS.

    • Note: The official ITIN letter (CP565) will still require full processing time by mail.

Why Use House of Bookkeepers (IRS CAA)?

  • ✅ Passport stays safe — verified locally in Jamaica

  • ✅ Higher approval rate, fewer rejections

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

  • ✅ Officially listed IRS-Certified Acceptance Agent

  • ✅ Real-time updates until you receive your ITIN approval letter (CP565)

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

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting incomplete Form W-7

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

  • Forgetting to attach a tax return (unless exempt)

  • Mailing documents through unreliable services

  • Assuming ITIN provides immigration or work rights (it does not)

Quick FAQs – ITIN from Jamaica

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

Q2. Does Jamaica have a tax treaty with the U.S.?
Yes. The U.S.–Jamaica tax treaty reduces withholding on dividends, interest, royalties, and certain scholarships. An ITIN is required to claim these benefits.

Q3. How long does it take to get an ITIN?
8–13 weeks. We can retrieve your ITIN number within ~2.5 months by calling the IRS, but the IRS letter CP565 may take the full timeline.

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, having a U.S. residential address or a reliable mail forwarding service is beneficial, as it can help delivery of your IRS letter more securely and faster.

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.

Q6. How do I know if my ITIN is approved?
Once your ITIN is assigned, the IRS issues an official Letter CP565 confirming your number. If you haven’t received your ITIN within 13 weeks, contact us. We’ll follow up with the IRS and update you on the status.

Apply with Confidence

At House of Bookkeepers, we make ITIN applications safe, fast, and reliable for applicants in Jamaica.

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

Start your ITIN application today – and enjoy the benefits of compliance, refunds, and treaty savings.