If you are a Moldovan citizen earning income from U.S. sources, investing in U.S. property, freelancing for American clients, or planning to file taxes jointly with a U.S. spouse, you may need an ITIN from the IRS.

Currently, Moldova does not have a tax treaty with the United States. This means U.S. income earned by Moldovan residents is taxed at the default 30% withholding rate. While an ITIN cannot reduce this rate by itself, it is still required to:

  • File U.S. tax returns

  • Reclaim excess FIRPTA withholding from real estate sales

  • Claim refunds on overpaid taxes

  • Stay compliant with IRS rules

At House of Bookkeepers, an IRS-Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA), we help applicants in Moldova obtain ITINs securely — without mailing passports overseas.

What Is an ITIN?

An ITIN is a nine-digit tax 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 U.S. work permit

  • Not immigration status

  • Not a substitute for SSN

Who Commonly Needs an ITIN?

  • Nonresident aliens with U.S.-sourced income

  • Property investors subject to FIRPTA when selling U.S. property

  • Spouses and dependents of U.S. taxpayers

  • International students or researchers with U.S. funding

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

  • Responsible parties for U.S. LLCs

Who in Moldova Should Apply for an ITIN?

Here are common scenarios where Moldovans apply for ITINs:

  • Freelancers and Digital Workers
    Moldovan professionals working with U.S. clients or platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Amazon, PayPal, Stripe, or AdSense often face 30% withholding. An ITIN lets you file taxes and recover overpayments.

  • Property Investors
    Selling U.S. real estate triggers FIRPTA withholding (15% of the gross sales price). An ITIN is required to file returns and reclaim excess tax.

  • Filing Jointly with a U.S. Spouse
    If you are married to a U.S. taxpayer, you need an ITIN to be included on their return and qualify for spousal benefits.

  • Investors in U.S. Companies
    Dividends for Moldovan investors are withheld at 30%. An ITIN ensures proper reporting and enables refund claims.

  • Responsible Party for a U.S. LLC
    If you manage or own a U.S. LLC, you may need an ITIN for IRS compliance. Documents often required include:

    • Articles of Organization

    • Operating Agreement

    • IRS EIN Confirmation Letter (CP 575 Notice)

Benefits of Having an ITIN

  • File U.S. tax returns legally

  • Claim refunds for excess withholding taxes

  • Reclaim FIRPTA withholding from U.S. property sales

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

  • Ensure IRS compliance for U.S. income

  • Build credibility with U.S. banks and institutions (especially when paired with EIN/LLC)

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

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

You need a valid U.S. tax reason, such as:

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

  • Selling or renting U.S. property

  • Filing jointly with a U.S. spouse

  • Being listed as a dependent on a U.S. tax return

Step 2: Complete Form W-7

The official IRS ITIN application form. Accuracy is crucial 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 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. As an IRS CAA, we verify your documents locally in Moldova 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

    • The official IRS Letter CP565 still takes the full processing time to arrive by mail

Why Use House of Bookkeepers (IRS CAA)?

✅ Passport stays safe — verified locally in Moldova

✅ Higher approval success rates, fewer rejections

✅ Full-service support: W-7 form, COA, tax return, and submission

✅ Official IRS authorization (listed CAA)

✅ Updates until your ITIN approval letter arrives

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

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting an incomplete or inaccurate Form W-7

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

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

  • Mailing sensitive documents through unreliable services

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

Quick FAQs – ITIN from Moldova

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

Q2. Does Moldova have a tax treaty with the U.S.?
No. Moldova has no treaty with the U.S., so income is taxed at the 30% default rate. An ITIN is still required to file returns and claim refunds.

Q3. How long does it take to get an ITIN?
8–13 weeks. At HOB, we can often retrieve your number earlier (~2.5 months), though the CP565 letter will still take longer to arrive.

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 simple and secure for Moldovan applicants.

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

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