If you’re living or earning money in the U.S. but don’t have a Social Security Number, a taxpayer identification number is how you stay on the IRS’s good side and avoid tax headaches down ...

Each taxpayer in the U.S. needs to have a unique nine-digit number that can identify them to the IRS. Many Americans use their Social Security number, or SSN, to confirm their identity on tax ...

A tax ID number, also known as a TIN, is a unique nine-digit number that identifies you to the IRS. It’s required on your tax return and in other official interactions.

The IRS will issue an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) to an individual who’s required to file a federal tax return in the U.S. but who is not eligible for an SSN.

With last season just wrapping up—and the 2025 tax season around the corner—the IRS is reminding tax pros that it’s an excellent time to renew their Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN).