how does one apply for a federal tax id number, and what are all
requirements necessary?? particularly asking because of recently
passed california sb-60 which allows illegal immigrants to gain a
drivers license and using a tax id instead of a ss#, being illegal
immigrants are illegal would imply no ss#... thanks~

Hello darksprite-ga,

Information about how an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
(ITIN) is obtained can be found at the website of the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS).

They state the following:

Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.html
“What is ITIN?

An ITIN, or IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, is a tax
processing number. An ITIN is issued by the U.S. Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) 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) issued by the Social Security
Administration (SSA).”

---

“What is the purpose of an ITIN?

IRS issues ITINs for tax processing only. ITINs are not intended to
serve any other purpose.

ITINs:

- Are not valid for identification outside the tax system.
- Do not entitle the holder to Social Security benefits or the Earned
Income Tax Credit (EITC).
- Do not establish immigration status. 
- Do not grant the right to work in the U.S. Any individual who is
eligible for legal employment in the U.S. must have an SSN.”

--

“Why are ITINs invalid for identification?

Since ITINs are strictly for tax processing, we do not need to apply
the same standards as agencies that provide genuine identity
certification. ITIN applicants are not required to apply in person;
third parties can apply on their behalf; and we do not conduct
background checks or further validate the authenticity of identity
documents. ITINs do not prove identity outside the tax system, and
should not be offered or accepted as identification for non-tax
purposes.”


The form that has to be completed to obtain an ITIN can be found at
the following link in Adobe PDF format:

Form W-7
Application for IRS Individual
Taxpayer Identification Number
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw7.pdf


For more information about SB-60, see the State of California website.
 A press release, which provides a summary, can be found at the link
below.

If you have a problem with the long link, go to the State Of
California website
http://www.ca.gov

Click on the picture of Governor Gray Davis on the right side of the
page.  Then click on “Press Room” in the menu on the upper left of the
page.  Click on “Press Releases” in the menu in the center of the
page.


Press Release 
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR 
GOVERNOR DAVIS RESTORES DRIVER'S LICENSES TO CALIFORNIA IMMIGRANTS
09/05/2003 http://www.governor.ca.gov/state/govsite/gov_htmldisplay.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0265485843.1062899857@@@@&BV_EngineID=eadciekiedggbemgcfkmchcog.0&sCatTitle=Press+Release&sFilePath=/govsite/press_release/2003_09/20030905_L03097_SB60.html&sTitle=GOVERNOR+DAVIS+RESTORES+DRIVER'S+LICENSES+TO+CALIFORNIA+IMMIGRANTS+09%2f05%2f2003&iOID=52221

“SB 60 by Senator Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) would require that all
applicants for a California driver's license or a California
identification card provide a social security number or a federal
individual tax identification number (ITIN). If an applicant presents
an ITIN in lieu of a social security number, the applicant must also
present a birth certificate or record of birth issued by their country
of origin and one of the following:

A matricula consular 
A passport issued by a foreign jurisdiction 
A military I.D. 
A driver's license from a foreign jurisdiction 
A military identification card bearing a photo 
Any other document the Department of Motor Vehicles deems appropriate
for proving ID.”


I hope you have found this information helpful.  If you have any
questions, please request clarification prior to rating the answer.

Googlenut


Search Strategy:

Went first to the IRS website
http://www.irs.gov/

Clicked on “Individuals” in the menu on the lower left of the page.

Scrolled down to the “Individual Taxpayer Identification Number” link
about halfway down the page.


Then went to the State of California website
http://www.ca.gov

I then went to the Governor’s page and then to press releases as
described previously.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by darksprite-ga on 06 Sep 2003 19:51 PDT

great answer so far, just one clarification, you mentioned the sb-60
requiring a birth cert as well.. i read in my local newspaper there is
an alternate way if you dont have one, any extra information on this
would be appriciated :)

---

Clarification of Answer by googlenut-ga on 06 Sep 2003 20:13 PDT

Hello darksprite-ga,

You are correct.

I found the text of the bill at the State of California website.
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=sb_60&sess=CUR&house=B&author=cedillo

Senate Bill No. 60
Passed the Senate September 3, 2003
Passed the Assembly September 2, 2003
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/sen/sb_0051-0100/sb_60_bill_20030903_enrolled.pdf
“The bill would require an applicant who furnishes the department with
his or her federal individual taxpayer identification number to
present to the department a birth certificate or record of birth,
determined to be acceptable by the department, issued by a foreign
jurisdiction, and, in addition, one other specified document
determined acceptable by the department. The bill would permit an
applicant who does not possess a birth certificate or record of birth
to instead present 2 or more of those specified documents.”
(Page 3)


The specified documents are those listed in the press release.  A more
detailed description can be found in the text of the bill.

Googlenut

excellent answer, thank you~

Thank you for the 5-star rating and for the tip.

I'm happy I was able to help.

Googlenut