How to obtain ITIN for kids and claim them as dependents - first time filer on L1B visa

8 Yes, you can absolutely apply for ITINs for your children and claim them as dependents on the same tax return! This is a common situation for those on work visas. You'll need to file Form W-7 (Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) for each child along with your Form 1040. Make sure to check box "d" in the reason section which indicates "Dependent of U.S. citizen/resident alien" and also check box "e" for "Spouse/dependent of nonresident alien holding a U.S. visa." You'll need to include original documents or certified copies from the issuing agency to prove their identity (like passports or birth certificates). Don't worry - the IRS will return these documents to you. When you file, you'll claim the dependents normally on your return, listing "ITIN Applied For" in the space for their Social Security Numbers.

15 I went through this exact situation last year with my kids! I found this amazing service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that saved me so much hassle with the ITIN application process. I was totally confused about how to claim my kids while simultaneously applying for their ITINs, but their document review system caught several mistakes I'd made on my W-7 forms that would have definitely delayed the process. They have this feature where they analyze your ITIN application documents before you submit them to make sure everything is properly filled out. It helped me understand exactly what supporting documents I needed to include and how to properly complete the forms so I could claim my children right away instead of waiting until next year.

17 Just wanted to update after using taxr.ai from the recommendation above. It was actually super helpful! My situation was nearly identical - H1B visa holder applying for ITINs for my two kids. The document review caught that I was using an outdated W-7 form (apparently the IRS updated it recently) and I had checked inconsistent boxes between my tax return and the W-7 forms. They also confirmed that my copies of birth certificates needed to be certified by the issuing agency - I would have definitely sent insufficient documentation. My ITIN applications were accepted without any issues and I was able to successfully claim both kids as dependents on this year's return! Saved me a ton in taxes and I didn't have to wait until next year. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the same boat.

5 If you're struggling to get through to the IRS for questions about your ITIN application, I highly recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was stuck on hold for HOURS trying to get clarification about my kids' ITIN applications after I submitted them. With Claimyr, I got a call back from an actual IRS agent within 25 minutes! You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. I was shocked because I'd been trying for days to get through the normal IRS phone lines with no luck. The agent was able to check my application status and confirmed they had received it. They also answered several questions I had about what documentation was acceptable and estimated processing time. Saved me so much frustration!

9 I have to admit I was wrong about Claimyr. After being so skeptical in my earlier comment, I decided to try it myself since I was desperate to check on my kids' ITIN application status. It actually worked! I got a call back from an IRS agent in about 40 minutes. The agent confirmed they had received my application but needed additional documentation for one of my children (apparently the copy of his birth certificate wasn't clear enough). If I hadn't been able to speak with an agent, my application would have been delayed for months, and I would have missed out on claiming my kids this year. Instead, I was able to quickly send in the missing document and keep the application moving. For anyone dealing with ITIN applications, being able to actually talk to a human at the IRS makes a massive difference. I'm honestly shocked this service exists and works.

14 Just wanted to add that you should consider using a Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) if possible. I did this last year for my kids' ITINs, and it made the process so much smoother. The CAA verified all our original documents in person so we didn't have to mail them, and they helped make sure the forms were filled out correctly. Our ITINs came back much faster than my friends who applied directly with the IRS (about 4 weeks vs 12+ weeks). The service cost me about $250 per child, which seemed steep at first, but considering the tax benefits of claiming my kids (Child Tax Credit!), it was absolutely worth it.

3 Quick question - how much of the Child Tax Credit can you actually claim with an ITIN? I thought there were limitations for non-citizens?

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who went through this exact process last year with my two kids on an H1B visa! You can definitely apply for ITINs and claim your children as dependents on the same tax return. Here are a few key tips from my experience: 1. Make sure you're using the most current W-7 form - the IRS updates it periodically and they'll reject outdated versions 2. For the supporting documents, certified copies from the issuing agency work just as well as originals and are much safer to mail 3. When filling out your 1040, write "ITIN Applied For" in the SSN field for each child 4. Processing typically takes 7-11 weeks, but you can still e-file your return while the ITIN applications are pending The Child Tax Credit alone made this worth doing immediately rather than waiting until next year. For two kids, you're looking at potentially $4,000-$6,000 in tax benefits depending on your income level. One thing I wish I'd known earlier - if you have any issues or questions after submitting, calling the IRS directly can be nearly impossible. Consider keeping documentation of everything you submit and maybe look into services that can help you get through to an actual IRS agent if needed. Good luck with your first tax filing as a US resident!