Can I get an ITIN number as a non US resident if my country doesn't have a tax treaty with the US?

The ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is specifically designed for individuals who need to comply with US tax laws but aren't eligible for a Social Security Number. As a non-US resident earning income from US sources, you absolutely can apply for an ITIN regardless of whether your country has a tax treaty with the US. Your understanding about the withholding is partially correct. The 30% withholding is the default rate for foreign persons without proper documentation. With an ITIN, you can file a US tax return (Form 1040-NR) to potentially claim a refund for any over-withholding based on your actual tax liability, which could indeed be lower than 30%. However, just having an ITIN doesn't automatically stop the withholding - you'll need to provide additional documentation to the platform (like a completed W-8BEN form with your ITIN) to potentially reduce the withholding rate.

I went through this exact situation last year with my digital design store! After months of losing 30% of my earnings, I found taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which completely guided me through the ITIN application process as a non-US resident. Their system actually analyzed my specific situation and showed me exactly which forms I needed. The best part was they explained how to properly complete the W-8BEN form AFTER getting my ITIN, which is what actually stopped the 30% withholding. They even provided a template for the explanation letter I needed to include with my application explaining exactly why I needed an ITIN. Without that specific language, my first application attempt had been rejected.

Just wanted to update everyone - I took the advice about using taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) for my ITIN application and it was seriously game-changing! I was initially doubtful because my situation seemed complicated (selling digital templates to US customers from Southeast Asia), but their guided process was incredibly clear. The most valuable part was the specific instructions for filling out Form W-7 for digital sellers. The system flagged exactly which exception code to use on my application and provided a customized explanation letter that addressed my specific situation. My ITIN was approved in about 7 weeks, which I'm told is pretty quick! After getting my ITIN and submitting the W-8BEN to my platform, I'm now only having 10% withheld instead of 30%, which has made a massive difference to my monthly income. Wish I'd done this two years ago!

If you're struggling to get clear information from the IRS about your ITIN application as a non-resident, I highly recommend Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I spent WEEKS trying to reach someone at the IRS international taxpayer line without success. Using Claimyr's service, I got connected to an actual IRS representative in under 45 minutes! I was able to ask specific questions about my ITIN application and get clarification on which supporting documents were acceptable from my country. The agent even told me about common mistakes to avoid that often cause rejections. You can see how the service works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c After that call, I submitted my application with confidence and received my ITIN much faster than I expected. Definitely worth it for international sellers who need clarity on their specific situation.

I have to admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr. After expressing skepticism, I decided to try it myself since I was getting desperate with my ITIN application issues. Within 37 minutes, I was speaking with an IRS specialist who actually knew about international taxation! The agent walked me through exactly which supporting documents would work best for my country (I'm from Argentina) and explained that I needed to include a specific type of statement from the US company paying me. This wasn't mentioned anywhere on the IRS website or forms. I submitted my application with these exact specifications three weeks ago and just received notification that my ITIN has been approved. This would have been impossible without getting that specific guidance. I've wasted months on rejected applications before this.

Just wanted to share some practical advice as someone who went through this process last year. Make sure you're sending your ITIN application (Form W-7) to the right address - there's a specific mailing address for ITIN applications. Also, if you use a CAA (Certifying Acceptance Agent) in your country, you won't have to mail your original passport or ID documents, which is MUCH safer. Another tip: when you get your ITIN, immediately update your W-8BEN with the platform you're selling on. Some platforms have specific forms or procedures for this update (not just uploading the standard IRS form), so check their tax documentation section carefully!

I'm also a non-resident seller and got my ITIN last year. One thing nobody mentioned yet is that many tax treaties only reduce withholding on certain types of income, not all. For example, royalty rates might be reduced but not service income. So even with a tax treaty, understanding exactly what your income is classified as is super important. For non-treaty countries, getting an ITIN is still valuable because: 1) You can file a tax return and potentially get some withholding refunded 2) Some platforms have their own policies that reduce withholding for ITIN holders regardless of treaty status 3) It simplifies any future US tax obligations Just make sure to research the specific policies of your selling platform!