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ITIN for US work?
Hey folks,
Can't believe it's taken me so long to register here, and to open with a numbers question! Brilliant community!
Anyway, my question is this - I'm set up as a designer in the UK (sole trader) but I'm on a retainer and do the vast majority of my work for a US based company. They've asked my to fill out a W-7 form and get an ITIN number but I'm not convinced I need one - given that I'm based in the UK, registered in the UK and invoice from the UK, should I need to deal with the IRS at all?
I called the IRS directly (luckily I have free international minutes) and the helpful guy on the other end said that the US company didn't need to file anything for me but the company I work for is still unsure.
Anyone with experience of this sort of thing? Any advice much appreciated!
Can't believe it's taken me so long to register here, and to open with a numbers question! Brilliant community!
Anyway, my question is this - I'm set up as a designer in the UK (sole trader) but I'm on a retainer and do the vast majority of my work for a US based company. They've asked my to fill out a W-7 form and get an ITIN number but I'm not convinced I need one - given that I'm based in the UK, registered in the UK and invoice from the UK, should I need to deal with the IRS at all?
I called the IRS directly (luckily I have free international minutes) and the helpful guy on the other end said that the US company didn't need to file anything for me but the company I work for is still unsure.
Anyone with experience of this sort of thing? Any advice much appreciated!
- Contact in PM
deadmix
Messages count : 4Likes count : 0Registration : 17 July 2013I Work with a lot of US Companies, and When i Fill the W-7 form i Only Select that im Not a US Citizen, a Signature and that's all...
You don't have to Provide your ITIN number....
Hope this Help You! - Contact in PM
Lupita
Messages count : 207Likes count : 6Registration : 2 November 2006 - Contact in PM
warnerkim
Messages count : 1Likes count : 0Registration : 24 May 2025If you're a UK-based sole trader invoicing a U.S. company for services performed outside the U.S., you generally don’t need an ITIN and have no U.S. tax filing requirement. The U.S.–UK tax treaty usually exempts this kind of income from U.S. withholding tax.
To make that clear to the U.S. company, you can complete a W-8BEN form (not W-7), which certifies you're a non-U.S. person and claim treaty benefits. The W-7 is only for applying for an ITIN, which you shouldn't need unless you're earning U.S.-sourced income inside the U.S.
So, unless you're physically working in the U.S. or receiving U.S.-sourced passive income, you don’t need an ITIN, just submit the W-8BEN to them.
