JubJub

Originally posted by Joachim Feise
    > Not much has
changed, really.
    > http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=9-
6287,00.html"]http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.htm-
l[/url]
    > "IRS issues ITINs to individuals who are required to have a
U.S. taxpayer
    > identification number but who do not have, and are not
eligible to obtain a
    > Social Security Number (SSN) from the Social
Security Administration (SSA).
    > ITINs are issued regardless of
immigration status because both resident and
    > nonresident aliens may
have U.S. tax return and payment responsibilities under
    > the Internal
Revenue Code."
    >
    > Basically, what I said. If you need to pay taxes,
you need an ITIN. The US
    > government wants your money...
    >
    > The
application standards have changed:
    > "What are the revised application
standards for ITINs?
    > Effective immediately, each ITIN applicant must
now:
    > * Apply using the revised Form W-7, Application for IRS
Individual Taxpayer
    > Identification Number ; and
    > * Attach a
federal income tax return to the Form W-7.
    > Applicants who meet
an exception to the requirement to file a tax return
    > (see the
instructions for Form W-7)must provide documentation to support the
exception.
    >
    > Why is IRS revising the ITIN application process?
    > The
revisions to the ITIN application process will help ensure ITINs are
used
    > for their intended tax administration purposes."
    >
    > -Joe


What has changed is that you can no longer simply apply to
the IRS for an ITIN number (to open a bank account for example). You
need to file for an ITIN in conjunction with a tax return, unless you
are the spouse of a citizen/resident of the US, or stayed over 180 days
in the previous year etc.

J. J. Farrell

"Amanda" <> wrote in message
news:...
    > "J. J. Farrell" <> wrote in message
news:<s9T5c.44229$>...
    > > "SRT LP" <> wrote in message
    > > news:1YP5c.6540$...
    > > > I have a friend who lives in Estonia. She was in the USA 2 years back
on
    > > a
    > > > 1-year tourist visa when I met her, and since then we've talked a lot
and
    > > we
    > > > both want her to come here and "see if things work out" between us.
She
    > > > just applied for a 1-year tourist visa and it was granted, and I had a
few
    > > > questions.
    > >
    > > What do you mean by a "1-year tourist visa"? Tourist visas are usually
    > > valid for longer that that, often 10 years.
    > Are you serious?

Yes.

    > > A person using a tourist
    > > visa typically gets admitted for a maximum of 6 months at a time.
    > 6 months with 20 times extension?

I don't understand what you are asking.

Srt Lp

    > A) She cannot get a license on a tourist visa. The most she can do is
get an
    > international driver's license from Estonia, but those are usually valid
only
    > six months.
    > B) You are assuming she will be able to stay here one whole year! Where do
you
    > make such an assumption from? What if she is given a two month stay at the
POE?
    > Ever think of that?

I didn't think of that - I was unaware that the POE can grant various entry
durations. Sounds from what folks are saying it would be 6 months... but
she could come for 6 months and then leave and come back within a year as
long as that visa is valid??? Or is it generally one six-month visit and no
more?

    > C) She cannot get an SSN. She cannot get an ITIN any more either. The IRS
has
    > cracked down.
    > D) She will be a tourist here and will get no benefits accorded to people
on
    > other visas.
    > E) In order to marry and sponsor her in a reasonable time, you should
become a
    > US citizen soon. It may take a year depending on where you live. You need
to
    > make at least 125% of the poverty level. More is bette,r of course.

I will look into that - thank you!