If you’re a Trinidadian freelancer, investor, Amazon seller, or business owner earning income from U.S. sources – such as through Upwork, Fiverr, Payoneer, Stripe, Etsy, Amazon, or Google AdSense – you may need an ITIN Number from the U.S. IRS.

An ITIN allows non-U.S. residents to comply with U.S. tax laws, claim refunds, and avoid unnecessary withholding. Even if you live and work in Trinidad and Tobago, you might still have U.S. tax obligations if you receive U.S.-sourced payments or invest in U.S. property.

House of Bookkeepers is an IRS-Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA), we help applicants from Trinidad and Tobago obtain their ITINs securely and remotely, without 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 to individuals who:

  • Need to file or report U.S. taxes, and

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

🔍 What an ITIN is not:

  • Not a work permit or visa

  • Not immigration status

  • Not a substitute for an SSN

However, it is required to file U.S. tax returns, claim treaty benefits, and receive payments legally from U.S. companies and platforms.

Does Trinidad Have a Tax Treaty with the U.S.?

Yes, the U.S. and Trinidad and Tobago have a tax treaty. This treaty helps residents avoid double taxation and can reduce or even eliminate the 30% withholding tax normally applied to foreign income.

With an ITIN, Trinidadian residents can claim these treaty benefits through Form W-8BEN, ensuring smoother payments and fewer tax deductions at source.

Why Freelancers and Business Owners in Trinidad Need an ITIN

Many freelancers and entrepreneurs in Trinidad work remotely with U.S. clients or platforms, and their income may be subject to automatic U.S. withholding unless they file the correct forms.

An ITIN allows you to:

  • Submit Form W-8BEN to claim tax treaty benefits and reduce withholding.
  • File Form 1040-NR if you need to report income or claim refunds.
  • Avoid payment delays or account restrictions on digital platforms.
  • Open U.S. bank accounts or payment systems that require tax verification.
  • Build a U.S. tax history for long-term business credibility.

 

Who in Trinidad Commonly Needs an ITIN

  • Freelancers, Creators & Digital Workers

Writers, designers, coders, and content creators earning via Upwork, Fiverr, Payoneer, Amazon KDP, or AdSense often face 30% withholding on their payments.
With an ITIN, you can:

    • File Form W-8BEN to reduce or avoid withholding tax.

    • File a U.S. tax return for compliance or refunds.

    • Keep your platform accounts verified and active.

  • Property Investors

Selling or renting U.S. real estate triggers FIRPTA (Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act) withholding — up to 15% of the property’s sale price.
An ITIN is mandatory to:

    • File a U.S. tax return.

    • Report property transactions.

    • Claim any refund of overpaid withholding.

  • Filing Jointly with a U.S. Spouse

If your spouse is a U.S. taxpayer, you’ll need an ITIN to be included on their joint tax return and qualify for spousal tax benefits or credits.

  • Business Owners & LLC Managers

If you own or manage a U.S. LLC, an ITIN is required for tax filing and correspondence.
Typical supporting documents include:

    • Articles of Organization

    • Operating Agreement

    • IRS EIN Confirmation Letter (CP575 Notice)

 

Benefits of Having an ITIN

✔ File U.S. tax returns legally and avoid penalties
✔ Claim refunds for overpaid U.S. withholding taxes
✔ Apply tax treaty benefits under the US-Trinidad and Tobago Tax Treaty
✔ Avoid unnecessary 30% withholding on U.S. income
✔ Stay compliant with FIRPTA for property transactions
✔ Improve access to U.S. financial systems and platforms
✔ Build business trust with clients, banks, and payment processors

US-Trinidad Tax Treaty Highlights

The US-Trinidad and Tobago Tax Treaty offers reduced tax rates on several income types:

Income Type Default Rate Treaty Rate
Dividends 30% 5-15%
Interest 30% 0-10%
Royalties 30% 10% or less
Scholarships/Research 30% Often Exempt

👉 To access these treaty benefits, you’ll need:

  • A valid ITIN

  • The correct IRS form (W-8BEN or Form 8233) filed with your U.S. payer

 

How to Apply for an ITIN from Trinidad in 2025

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Before applying, make sure you have a valid U.S. tax-related reason for requesting an ITIN. Common reasons include:

  • Filing a U.S. tax return (e.g., Form 1040 or 1040-NR)

  • Claiming tax treaty benefits via Form W-8BEN

  • Reporting U.S. rental or property sale income (FIRPTA)

  • Filing jointly with a U.S. spouse

📝 Note:

If your purpose is only to submit Form W-8BEN for withholding relief (for example, to get paid through Stripe, Amazon, AdSense, Upwork, or Payoneer), you may qualify under a treaty exception and may not need to attach a U.S. tax return.

Below is a clear guide showing which W-7 box you should check and whether you must include a U.S. tax return with your ITIN application:

Reason for Applying Description W-7 Box to Check Tax Return Required?
Filing a U.S. tax return Reporting freelance, investment, real estate, or other U.S. income b – Nonresident alien filing a U.S. tax return ✅ Yes (attach Form 1040-NR)
Claiming tax treaty benefits via W-8BEN Avoiding 30% withholding on platforms such as Amazon, AdSense, Payoneer, Stripe, or Upwork a + h – Treaty benefit exception ❌ No (treaty exception category)
U.S. rental or sale (FIRPTA) Property rental income or claiming refund for FIRPTA withholding b (if filing a return) or a + h (if claiming treaty exception) ⚙ Depends (based on situation)
Filing jointly with a U.S. spouse Foreign spouse joining a U.S. taxpayer’s joint return e – Spouse of U.S. citizen/resident ✅ Yes (joint U.S. tax return)

Step 2: Complete Form W-7

This is the official IRS ITIN application form. Accuracy is crucial — even small errors can cause delays or rejections.

Step 3: Gather Required Documents

  • Valid passport (scan copy works via CAA; otherwise, originals or certified copies are required)

  • U.S. federal tax return (Form 1040 or 1040-NR), unless exempt under a treaty

  • Supporting documents, such as income statements, visa, or scholarship letters

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

With House of Bookkeepers, you don’t need to send your passport abroad.
We verify your identity locally in Trinidad, prepare your Certificate of Accuracy (COA), and submit your ITIN application directly to the IRS.

Why Use House of Bookkeepers (IRS CAA)?

✅ Passport stays safe — verified locally in Trinidad
✅ Higher success rate and fewer rejections
✅ End-to-end assistance: W-7 form, COA, tax return, and submission
✅ Official IRS authorization (listed Certified Acceptance Agent)
✅ Real-time updates until your ITIN approval letter (CP565) arrives
✅ 100% Money-Back Guarantee if rejected due to our process error

ITIN Processing Timeline in 2025

  • Standard processing: 8-13 weeks

  • Peak season (Jan-Apr): 13-16 weeks
    At House of Bookkeepers, we can often retrieve your ITIN number within ~2.5 months by following up with the IRS — although the physical letter takes the full processing time to arrive.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

🚫 Submitting incomplete or inaccurate Form W-7
🚫 Using uncertified passport copies without a CAA
🚫 Forgetting to attach a U.S. tax return (if required)
🚫 Mailing documents through unreliable services
🚫 Assuming ITIN provides U.S. work or immigration rights

Quick FAQs – ITIN from Trinidad

Q1. Can I apply for an ITIN from Trinidad?
Yes. With House of Bookkeepers as your IRS CAA, you can apply entirely from Trinidad  without any need to mail your passport to the U.S.

Q2. Does Trinidad and Tobago have a tax treaty with the U.S.?
Yes. The treaty helps avoid double taxation and reduces withholding on dividends, royalties, and other income types. You’ll need an ITIN to use these benefits.

Q3. How will I know if my ITIN is approved?
The IRS sends Letter CP565 once your ITIN is assigned. If you haven’t received it within 13 weeks, contact us and we’ll check the status and update you immediately.

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 (Trinidad) address.
However, having a U.S. residential or mail forwarding address can ensure faster delivery.
Alternatively, we can receive the letter at our address and send you a scanned copy (not recommended though).

Q5. How will you verify my identity?
We’ll ask for a selfie holding your passport’s photo page, which confirms your identity and ensures your ITIN verification meets IRS requirements.

Apply with Confidence

House of Bookkeepers, ensures to make your ITIN application safe, professional, and fully IRS-compliant for residents of Trinidad and Tobago.

📍 IRS-Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) – Trinidad Service
🌍 ITIN Service Page: https://houseofbookkeepers.com/itin/

Start your ITIN application today — and unlock faster payments, reduced tax withholding, and full IRS compliance when working with U.S. clients and platforms.