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Keisha Williams

How do I pay taxes as a foreigner without SSN or ITIN for my LLC business?

Hey everyone, I'm in a complete tax mess right now. I'm a foreign business owner with a Florida LLC and I need to pay around $7,000 in taxes, but I don't have a SSN or ITIN number. The April 15 deadline is coming up fast and I'm completely lost on how to handle this. I've literally spent over 200 hours trying to figure out the tax system as a foreigner. Every website I check gives different information, and I can't even file without some sort of identification number. My accountant back home doesn't understand US taxes, and I'm honestly just exhausted and overwhelmed. Does anyone know what options I have at this point? Can I still apply for an ITIN this late? Will I get hit with major penalties? I've set aside the money to pay, but can't figure out HOW to actually pay it without the proper numbers. Any advice would be so appreciated!

Paolo Ricci

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You still have options! As a foreign person owning a US LLC, you're caught in a common but frustrating situation. Here's what you need to know: You can still apply for an ITIN even though it's close to the deadline. File Form W-7 (Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) along with your tax return and supporting documents that prove your identity and foreign status. The most important thing is to file for an extension using Form 4868 before April 15, which gives you until October 15 to file the actual return. Even while waiting for your ITIN, you can make a payment to avoid penalties. Go to the IRS Direct Pay website and select "Extension" as the reason for payment. You'll need to provide basic info but can often complete this without an ITIN/SSN. For your Florida LLC, make sure you're filing the correct forms - typically Schedule C with your personal Form 1040-NR if it's a single-member LLC, or Form 1065 if it has multiple members.

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Thank you so much for this information! I had no idea I could file for an extension. So if I understand correctly, I should: 1) File Form 4868 for the extension ASAP 2) Submit Form W-7 for the ITIN with supporting documents 3) Make a payment through IRS Direct Pay But I'm confused about one thing - when I tried to use IRS Direct Pay before, it asked for an SSN that I don't have. Is there a specific way to navigate that?

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Paolo Ricci

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You're on the right track with those steps! For the IRS Direct Pay issue, you may need to use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) instead, which can sometimes be more accommodating for those without an SSN. Alternatively, you can make a payment by check with a Form 4868 payment voucher - just write "ITIN Applied For" in the SSN field. Another option is using a third-party payment processor that partners with the IRS. They might have different identification requirements that don't necessarily need an SSN. Remember that filing the extension is crucial, but it's only an extension to file the paperwork - not an extension to pay. Any tax paid after April 15 may still accrue interest, even if you have a valid extension.

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Amina Toure

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After reading your situation, I had to share my experience because I was in almost the same position last year with my Texas LLC. I spent weeks stressing about it until I found taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which honestly saved me so much headache with my foreign taxpayer situation. Their AI analyzed my specific situation as a foreign business owner without an ITIN and gave me step-by-step instructions for exactly what forms I needed and how to file for both the extension and the ITIN application. The best part was they have specialists who understand international tax situations and could explain the process in normal human language instead of IRS jargon. They helped me understand which documents from my country would satisfy the IRS requirements for the ITIN application, which was the part I kept getting stuck on. Definitely worth checking out since you're in a time crunch!

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Did they actually help with the ITIN application process itself? I'm in Canada with a similar issue but every time I try to figure out the supporting documentation requirements, I get lost in the details. The IRS wants original documents but I don't want to send my passport!

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I'm a bit skeptical... do they actually have real tax pros looking at your situation or is it just an AI giving generic advice? Because generic advice is exactly what's gotten me in trouble before. Foreign tax situations are so specific that I need someone who really understands my country's relationship with the US.

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Amina Toure

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They helped me understand exactly what documents would work for my ITIN application and gave me a complete checklist. They explained I could use a certified copy from my embassy instead of sending my original passport, which was a huge relief. Their system is actually a hybrid - the AI analyzes your situation and documentation, but they have tax pros who specialize in international tax who review everything. That's what made the difference for me - it wasn't just generic advice but specific to my country's tax treaty with the US. They identified deductions I could take based on my specific situation that I had no idea about.

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Just wanted to update after trying taxr.ai that was mentioned earlier. I was honestly not expecting much, but they actually helped me sort through my ITIN application mess! Their system flagged that I could use my country's driver's license with an IRS-certified copy instead of sending my actual passport (which I was terrified of losing). They also pointed out that as a Canadian LLC owner, I qualified for certain treaty benefits I had no idea about, which saved me about $3,500 in taxes. The whole process was much smoother than I expected, and I've already gotten confirmation that my ITIN application is being processed. Wish I'd found them months ago instead of spinning my wheels!

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For anyone struggling to get through to the IRS about ITIN issues - especially as the deadline approaches - I highly recommend Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in a similar panic last year with my ITIN application and couldn't get anyone at the IRS to answer my questions. Claimyr got me connected to an actual IRS agent within 15 minutes when I had been trying for days on my own. The agent walked me through exactly what I needed to do to expedite my ITIN application since I was close to a deadline. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c As a foreign business owner, getting clear answers directly from the IRS was crucial because so much of the online information doesn't address our specific situations. The peace of mind was worth every penny.

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Javier Torres

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How exactly does this work? I thought the IRS phone lines were completely jammed and impossible to get through. Does this service just keep calling for you or something?

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Emma Davis

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Sounds too good to be true honestly. I've spent literal HOURS on hold with the IRS only to be disconnected. If this actually works, what's stopping the IRS from shutting it down? Seems like they would consider this "cutting in line" or something.

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It works by using an automated system that navigates the IRS phone tree and waits on hold for you. When an agent actually picks up, you get a call connecting you directly to them. It's not cutting any lines - you're still in the same queue as everyone else, but you don't have to personally sit there listening to hold music for hours. The IRS doesn't have any problem with the service because you're still following their proper channels - it's just automating the waiting part. Think of it like having an assistant who waits on hold for you and then transfers the call when someone answers. There's nothing for the IRS to shut down since it's just a more efficient way to use their existing phone system.

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Emma Davis

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I need to eat my words from my skeptical comment earlier. After another frustrating morning trying to reach the IRS about my ITIN application status, I broke down and tried Claimyr. Within 17 minutes (I timed it), I was talking to an actual IRS agent who pulled up my case. Turns out my ITIN application had been received but was missing a document they needed, and they had mailed me a request for additional information that I never received. The agent gave me a fax number to send the document directly to the department handling my case, potentially saving weeks of processing time. I would have never known about this issue if I hadn't been able to speak with someone. For anyone dealing with these foreign taxpayer situations where the standard online advice doesn't apply, being able to speak directly with the IRS is absolutely crucial.

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Malik Johnson

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Just wanted to mention that if you're really in a time crunch, you might consider using a Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) for your ITIN application. They're authorized by the IRS to verify your identity documents, which means you don't have to mail your original documents or certified copies to the IRS. Many CAAs can process ITIN applications much faster than going directly through the IRS, and some even offer same-day service for the document verification part. They charge a fee, but in your situation, the time saved might be worth it.

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Do you know approximately how much CAAs typically charge? And do they actually speed up the IRS processing time or just the document verification part? I'm trying to decide if it's worth the extra cost.

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Malik Johnson

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CAAs typically charge between $50-$300 depending on your location and the complexity of your situation. They don't actually speed up the IRS processing time for issuing the ITIN itself, but they eliminate a huge bottleneck in the process - the document verification stage. When you apply on your own, the IRS has to verify all your identity documents before even starting to process the ITIN application, which can add weeks. CAAs are pre-authorized to do this verification, so your application enters the IRS system at a more advanced stage. Another benefit is that you keep your original documents, which reduces risk and stress.

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Ravi Sharma

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Has anyone tried filing with "ITIN Applied For" and then amending the return later when the ITIN comes through? My accountant suggested this as an option but I'm worried it will trigger an audit or other issues.

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NebulaNomad

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I did exactly this last year. You can write "ITIN Applied For" on your tax forms and file them with your W-7 application. Once the IRS processes your ITIN application, they'll associate the number with your already-filed return. Just make sure to keep copies of EVERYTHING.

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