Get your ITIN without an SSN and run your US LLC legally.
If you have a US LLC but no Social Security Number, you need an ITIN. Without it, you can’t file taxes, open a bank account or get paid legally. We handle the application for you, hassle-free.
What is an ITIN and what is it for?
ITIN: your tax ID as a non-resident.
The ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is the number the IRS, the US tax authority, assigns to people who have US tax obligations but don’t qualify for a Social Security Number (SSN).
Put simply: it’s your ID in the US tax system when you’re a foreigner.
- 01Filing US tax returns
- 02Running an LLC as a non-resident owner
- 03Opening certain business bank accounts
- 04Receiving US income through formal channels
- 05Meeting IRS requirements and avoiding penalties
ITIN vs SSN vs EIN: which one do you need?
Many Latin American founders mix these three up. Here is the difference, in plain language.
The key difference between SSN and ITIN
If you’re from Colombia, Mexico, Argentina or any other Latin American country and own a US LLC, you can’t get an SSN because you’re neither a resident nor a citizen. The ITIN exists precisely for you.
The EIN is not the same as the ITIN
The EIN identifies your company. The ITIN identifies you as a person and owner. To run an LLC properly as a non-resident, you often need both.
Who does NOT need an ITIN?
Not every foreigner needs an ITIN. If any of these applies to you, you can probably operate without one.
People with an SSN (Social Security Number)
If you already have a US-issued Social Security Number, you don’t need an ITIN. The SSN serves the same ID purpose with the IRS.
Multi-member LLCs or LLCs with an EIN
If your company already has an EIN (Employer Identification Number) and you have no personal US tax obligations, an ITIN is generally not required.
People with no US activity or income
If you don’t sell, provide services or receive payments from US sources, the IRS doesn’t require an ITIN because there’s no tax obligation to report.
Exactly when you need your ITIN.
To file taxes with the IRS
Having a US LLC doesn’t mean you have no tax obligations. As the owner, you must file certain forms with the IRS every year. Without an ITIN you can’t do it correctly, and that leads to penalties.
To operate and bank your LLC
Some US financial institutions and service providers ask for the owner’s ITIN to open accounts, process payments or activate services in your company’s name.
To get paid from the US
US clients, platforms or payment services that have to issue you tax forms (like the 1099) need your taxpayer ID. The ITIN is that number when you don’t have an SSN.
"Running an LLC from Latin America without an ITIN is like driving without a license: it works for a while, until it doesn’t."
How the ITIN is obtained: the traditional process.
The official way to get an ITIN is through IRS Form W-7. In theory, the process goes like this:
- 01Fill out Form W-7 in English.
- 02Attach original or certified identity documents (passport, among others).
- 03Mail everything to the IRS or hand it in person to a CAA (Certifying Acceptance Agent).
- 04Wait for the IRS to respond.
- Forms must be filled out perfectly; the smallest mistake gets you rejected.
- You have to send original documents or get an apostilled certification, which isn’t easy from abroad.
- The IRS can take 7 to 11 weeks to process the application (sometimes longer).
- If there’s a mistake, the process starts over from scratch.
- All communication with the IRS is in English.
For someone who has never done this before, it can turn into months of delays and frustration.
How Sell-U gets your ITIN for you.
You don’t have to face the IRS alone. Sell-U acts as your filing agent, guiding you every step of the way so your ITIN arrives without setbacks.
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1
We assess your case
We tell you whether you need an ITIN, which type of application applies and which documents we’ll need: passport, visa (if applicable) and Forms W-7 and 2848. No surprises.
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2
We collect your documents
We show you how to scan your passport correctly: PDF format, flatbed scanner at 300 dpi minimum, no glare or shadows, all four corners visible. Zero errors from incomplete documents.
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3
We prepare and submit your W-7
We send you the pre-filled W-7 to print, sign where indicated and send back scanned. We also handle Form 2848, which authorizes us to act before the IRS on your behalf.
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4
We follow up for you
While the IRS processes your application, we monitor the status and keep you posted. If anything comes up, we act right away.
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5
You get your ITIN
Once approved, we deliver your number and walk you through the next tax steps for your LLC.
Why apply with Sell-U.
Less time wasted
You skip learning a bureaucratic process from scratch. We already know it. You focus on your business.
Lower risk of rejection
Most IRS rejections come from avoidable errors on the form or in the documents. We eliminate them before submitting.
Support in Spanish
You don’t have to decode English forms or deal with the IRS directly. We have the process mapped out for Latin American founders.
Compliant from day one
Getting your ITIN right from the start keeps you in good standing with the IRS and avoids future problems with returns, penalties or blocks on your LLC.
Estimated requirements.
Required documents
Valid passport
The most common and complete document to identify yourself to the IRS.
Completed Form W-7
Sell-U prepares it for you, in English and following IRS protocol.
Proof of need
Your LLC’s documents or tax withholdings that support your application.
Documents must be originals or certified copies. Sell-U explains exactly how to get them from your country.
Ready to run your LLC with zero IRS headaches?
Your ITIN is the first step to getting your US company running by the book. Without it, you’re leaving your business exposed to penalties, blocks and complications that are completely avoidable.
Sell-U handles the whole process, in Spanish, remotely and with real support.
No commitment. An initial consultation doesn’t obligate you to anything.
ITIN application for non-residents
- Initial case assessment
- W-7 preparation and submission
- Active IRS follow-up
- Support in Spanish
- Delivery and final guidance