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doola’s Guide to Avoiding Common ITIN Mistakes

You’d be surprised how one tiny error turned Amanda’s life upside down.
Amanda is one of us. A hardworking mom who just moved to the U.S., juggling a new job, her kids’ school activities, and learning that peanut butter and jelly (PB&J) sandwiches actually exist here. It’s a full-on hustle for this mama.
In the middle of all this mess, Amanda’s just trying to find her footing. She’s dealing with so many new challenges, but the worst one? She doesn’t have a Social Security Number (SSN).
Without an SSN in the U.S., there is no way Amanda could file her tax returns, get a job, open a bank account or avail credit.
Imagine needing to handle all those crucial tasks and hitting a brick wall because of one missing number.
To escape this bind, she needs an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) to manage her taxes and handle many crucial financial tasks.
So, one evening, after finally putting the kids to bed, Amanda sits down at the kitchen table, surrounded by paperwork. She’s exhausted but determined to get it done at any cost. She takes a deep breath and starts filling out the ITIN form.
Between cooking dinner, helping kids with their homework, and managing a hundred other things, she makes a tiny mistake – she puts in the wrong birth month on her application form.
Honestly, who hasn’t messed up a form when they’re that tired, right?
But that small mistake has snowballed into a huge problem.
Her application gets rejected, and she has to fill in the whole thing all over again. It’s beyond frustrating.
For someone already feeling overwhelmed and out of place, this kind of setback feels like a punch in the gut. Amanda can’t help but feel defeated and stressed.
Without a valid ITIN, Amanda can’t file her taxes on time. This meant more waiting, more anxiety, and more stress.
And the consequences doesn’t stop at this level alone.
She is about to miss out on a much-needed tax refund she was counting on for her kids’ school admission, realtors and other essentials.
Plus, she can face penalties for late filing, adding financial strain to her already tight budget. The weight of all these issues is almost too much to bear.
But Amanda’s situation isn’t unique. It could be anyone’s story.
In fact, according to the IRS, over 25% of ITIN applications are rejected each year due to errors or missing information. This means thousands of immigrants and newcomers to the U.S. face these same frustrating issues.
A wrong number here, an expired document there, or even applying for an ITIN when people actually need an SSN.
These simple ITIN mistakes, though trivial, can cause significant delays, financial setbacks, and a lot of unnecessary stress.
So, what should you do to avoid becoming one of these statistics?
It starts with recognizing the common mistakes that can ruin your chances of getting an ITIN. Then, you need practical ways to avoid them.
Let’s jump right in and take a look at these common ITIN mistakes.
9 Common ITIN Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

In this section, we will discuss the ten biggest ITIN mistakes that people commonly make and provide tips on how to avoid them.
Mistake #1 Wrong Information on the Application Form
When you apply for an ITIN, you fill out a form called W-7. If you put in incorrect details, like a wrong birthdate or misspelled name, your application can be rejected.
For instance, if someone named “Maria Gonzalez” accidentally writes “Maria Gonzales,” the mismatch with her supporting documents can result in a rejected application.
Please note: The W-7 form is used to apply for an ITIN.
How to Avoid
✔️ Double-Check Details: Carefully review all the information on the W-7 form before submitting it. This includes your name, birth date, and any other personal details.
✔️ Use Correct Documentation: Ensure that the information matches exactly with the documents you are providing.
✔️ Seek Assistance: If you’re unsure about any section, seek help from a CPA professional or use IRS resources for guidance.
Mistake #2 Submitting Insufficient or Incorrect Supporting Documents
You need to send certain documents to prove who you are and that you’re not a U.S. citizen. If you send the wrong documents or expired ones, your application will be delayed.
For example, if an applicant submits an expired passport or provides a birth certificate without a translation, the IRS will not process the application until the correct or current documents are provided.
If you want to know the documents you need to get an ITIN number, please contact a seasoned CPA professional.
How to Avoid
✔️ Know What’s Required: Familiarize yourself with the list of acceptable documents for identification and foreign status verification, such as a valid passport, birth certificate, or visa.
✔️ Check Expiry Dates: Ensure that all documents are current and not expired. Apply for renewal if needed.
✔️ Include Translations: If any documents are in a foreign language, include a translated version of the document with proper verification from the relevant authorities
Mistake #3 Applying for an ITIN When Eligible for an SSN
This is a very common mistake. Some people mistakenly apply for an ITIN when they should get a Social Security Number (SSN) instead, which is used for people who are allowed to work in the U.S.
For example, If you are a foreign student on an F-1 visa with permission to work in the U.S., you should apply for an SSN through the SSA (Social Security Administration) rather than an ITIN.
How to Avoid
✔️ Determine Eligibility: Understand whether you are eligible for an SSN instead of an ITIN. Generally, you need an SSN if you are allowed to work in the U.S.
✔️ Consult Resources: Check the Social Security Administration (SSA) guidelines or consult with a tax professional.
Mistake #4 Not Filing a Tax Return with the ITIN Application
When applying for an ITIN, you generally need to submit a valid tax return along with your application. A valid tax return is a complete and accurate federal income tax return that you would normally file with the IRS, such as a Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ.
If you don’t include this, or the necessary exception documentation, the IRS won’t process your ITIN application.
How to Avoid
✔️ Attach Required Documents: You must always include your federal income tax return when submitting your ITIN application unless you qualify for an exception.
✔️ Check for Exceptions: If you think you qualify for an exception, ensure you have all necessary supporting documents, like a bank account letter.
Please, please, consult with your tax advisor if you’re thinking about doing any of these things by yourself. We’d love it if you checked in with doola before making any moves, but if that’s not possible, at least have a quick chat with us before you start your DIY thing. We are here for you, just in case you made a mistake that needs immediate fixing before the year ends. Even we hate surprises during tax filing.
Mistake #5 Giving the Wrong Mailing Address
Providing an incorrect mailing address can cause delays or loss of important IRS communications. For example, if you move to a new place and forget to update your mailing address on the W-7 form, you may not receive important IRS notifications or their ITIN, leading to further complications and delays. So be careful with your mailing address.
How to Avoid
✔️ Update Information Promptly: Ensure your mailing address is current and correct on the application form.
✔️ Notify IRS of Changes: If you move after submitting the application form, notify the IRS immediately to update your address.
Mistake #6 Incorrect or Missing Foreign Status Documentation
You need to prove you’re not a U.S. citizen with documents like a visa or other immigration documents. If you forget these, your application won’t be accepted.
How to Avoid
✔️ Include Necessary Documents: Always include proof of your foreign status, such as a visa or passport.
✔️ Check Requirements: Ensure that the documents meet the IRS requirements for proof of foreign status.
Mistake #7 Duplicate ITIN Applications
Each person should have only one ITIN. If someone forgets they were issued an ITIN years ago and applies for a new one, the IRS will reject the application, noting the duplication.
How to Avoid
Check Previous Applications: Keep records of previous ITIN applications and the number issued to you.
Retrieve ITIN: If you’ve lost your ITIN, contact the IRS to retrieve it instead of applying for a new one.
You can also get in touch with doola. We’ll help you retrieve your ITIN number in just a few steps. You can chill why while we take up this tedious process for you.
Mistake #8 Failing to Renew an Expired ITIN
ITINs expire if not used on a tax return for three consecutive years or if issued before 2013 and not renewed in a timely manner.
For example, an individual with an ITIN issued in 2015 who hasn’t filed taxes from 2020 to 2023 must renew their ITIN before filing the 2024 tax return. Failing to do so can result in a delayed refund and denial of tax credits.
How to Avoid
✔️ Monitor ITIN Validity: Keep track of your ITIN’s expiration date. ITINs expire if not used on a tax return for three consecutive years.
✔️ Renew Promptly: If your ITIN expires, submit a renewal application before filing your next tax return.
Need to file an ITIN for 2023-2024? Book a free consultation with us. We’ll make sure you get your tax refund without any more delays.
Mistake #9 Failure to Sign the W-7 Form
An applicant who completes the entire W-7 form but forgets to sign it will have their application returned by the IRS, causing unnecessary delays.
How to Avoid
✔️ Review Before Submitting: Double-check that all required fields, including the signature section, are completed.
✔️ Use Checklists: Make a checklist to ensure that all parts of the form are filled out correctly and signed.
How doola Can Help with ITIN Filing

That’s all, folks. This isn’t an exhaustive list, just the biggest pain points we’ve seen while helping taxpayers and newcomers navigate the U.S. tax system over the past few seasons.
Most importantly, you don’t have to end up like Amanda if you’ve just landed in the U.S. Seriously, no one needs that stress of back-and-forth with the IRS, hunting down documents, and resubmitting applications.
It’s a nightmare.
Let doola take care of it all so you can focus on settling in and making new friends 😊
Deal?
We’ll gather and verify all the right documents for your ITIN application, making sure everything is up-to-date and IRS-approved, including translations.
With our compliance and tax package, plus our dedicated ITIN toolkit, you’ll get through the process without any rookie mistakes. You can trust us. We’ll try our best to make the whole thing as painless as possible so you can stay compliant without the stress.
So, while you’re out exploring the best pastry shops in town (the croissants here are to die for), let us handle your ITIN worries.
Book a free consultation with doola, and we’ll take it from there:)