What we verified in “Filing taxes with an ITIN and why it matters for buying”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. According to the IRS, you have a federal tax purpose when you are legally required to file a federal return or want to claim a refund or allowable tax benefit, or report income by filing a return; and if you earned income but do not owe tax or are not required to file, you may want to file to get money back, because you could be eligible for a refund or a refundable tax credit.

   Sources 1 · Individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), 'What's a federal tax purpose': 'Are legally required to file a U.S. federal income tax return'; 'Want to claim a refund or allowable tax benefit or report income by filing a tax return'; 'If you earned income but don't owe tax or aren't required to file, you may want to file a tax return to get money back'; 'You could be eligible for a refund or a refundable tax credit' · Checked October 17, 2026

2. According to the IRS, you generally need to file if your income is over the filing requirement (the IRS publishes it in tables by filing status and age) or if you have over $400 in net earnings from self-employment (side jobs or other independent work); and even if you made less, it might pay to file, for example to get back taxes your employer withheld.

   Sources 2 · Check if you need to file a tax return (last reviewed Apr. 30, 2026), 'Who must file': 'Generally, you need to file if'; 'Your income is over the filing requirement'; 'If your filing status is'; 'File a tax return if your gross income is'; 'You have over $400 in net earnings from self-employment (side jobs or other independent work)'; 'It might pay you to file even if you don't have to'; 'You may want to file a return even if you made less to get a refund of taxes your employer withheld from your pay' · Checked October 17, 2026

3. According to the IRS, you do not need an ITIN to apply for an extension of time to file; you request the extension by the April filing due date and it gives you until October 15 to file without penalties, but it is only for filing: any tax you owe is due by the April date.

   Sources 1 · Individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), 'Apply for an extension without an ITIN': 'You don't need an ITIN to apply for an extension of time to file your tax return'; 'request an extension by the April tax filing due date'; 'This gives you until October 15 to file without penalties'; 'The extension is only for filing your return'; 'Pay any tax you owe by the April filing date' · Checked October 17, 2026

4. According to the IRS ITIN FAQs, being a resident alien for federal tax purposes is different from your legal status for immigration or other purposes: you can be a resident alien for tax purposes even though you are not a lawful permanent resident.

   Sources 3 · ITIN application frequently asked questions, 'Identity and foreign status': 'Whether you are a resident alien for federal tax purposes is different than your legal status for immigration or other legal purposes'; 'you can be a resident alien for federal tax purposes even though you are not a lawful permanent resident of the United States' · Checked October 17, 2026

5. According to the IRS, if you are not eligible for an SSN you can file a joint return with a spouse who is a U.S. citizen or resident alien; the credit for other dependents is a $500 non-refundable credit for taxpayers with dependents who are not eligible for the child tax credit; and the child and dependent care credit is among the allowable benefits for ITIN applicants.

   Sources 1 · Individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), 'Allowable tax benefits': 'you can file a joint tax return with a spouse who's a U.S. citizen or resident alien'; 'This $500 non-refundable credit is available to taxpayers with dependents who aren't eligible for the child tax credit'; 'Child and dependent care credit' · Checked October 17, 2026

6. According to the IRS, you need an ITIN if you have a federal tax purpose and are not eligible for an SSN, and you can apply regardless of immigration status; an ITIN is issued for federal tax purposes only; it does not qualify you for Social Security benefits or the Earned Income Tax Credit and does not provide or change immigration status.

   Sources 1 · Individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), 'What an ITIN is used for' and 'Who needs an ITIN': 'You need an ITIN if you have a federal tax purpose and you're not eligible for an SSN'; 'you can apply for an ITIN regardless of immigration status'; 'An ITIN is issued by the IRS for federal tax purposes only'; 'Qualify you for Social Security benefits or the Earned Income Tax Credit'; 'Provide or change immigration status' · Checked October 17, 2026

7. According to the IRS, self-employment tax consists of Social Security and Medicare taxes for people who work for themselves; you must pay it and file Schedule SE (Form 1040) if your net earnings from self-employment were $400 or more; and if you are self-employed as a sole proprietor or independent contractor, you generally use Schedule C to figure those earnings.

   Sources 6 · Self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare taxes): 'Self-employment tax is a tax consisting of Social Security and Medicare taxes primarily for individuals who work for themselves'; 'You must pay self-employment tax and file Schedule SE (Form 1040) if either of the following applies'; 'Your net earnings from self-employment (excluding church employee income) were $400 or more'; 'If you are self-employed as a sole proprietor or independent contractor, you generally use Schedule C to figure net earnings from self-employment' · Checked October 17, 2026

8. According to the IRS, income from the gig economy must be reported on a tax return even if it comes from part-time, temporary or side work, even if it is not reported on an information return such as a 1099 or W-2, and even if it is paid in any form, including cash.

   Sources 5 · Gig economy tax center, 'Gig economy income is taxable': 'You must report income earned from the gig economy on a tax return, even if the income is'; 'From part-time, temporary or side work'; 'Not reported on an information return form'; 'Paid in any form, including cash, property, goods, or virtual currency' · Checked October 17, 2026

9. According to the IRS ITIN FAQs, if you receive income without having taxes withheld, you may have to make estimated tax payments even before you have an ITIN; on the voucher you write 'ITIN TO BE REQUESTED' where the number goes.

   Sources 3 · ITIN application frequently asked questions, 'General questions': 'If you receive income without having taxes withheld, you may have to make estimated tax payments, even if you don't have an ITIN when you earn the income'; 'ITIN TO BE REQUESTED' · Checked October 17, 2026

10. According to the IRS, you should file all tax returns that are due even if you cannot pay in full; a past due return is filed the same way and to the same place as an on-time return; you risk losing your refund if you do not file: to claim a refund of withholding or estimated taxes you must file within 3 years of the return due date; and if you do not file, the IRS may file a substitute return that might not give you credit for deductions and exemptions you are entitled to.

    Sources 7 · Filing past due tax returns (last reviewed May 7, 2026): 'File all tax returns that are due, regardless of whether or not you can pay in full'; 'File your past due return the same way and to the same location where you would file an on-time return'; 'You risk losing your refund if you don't file your return'; 'you must file your return to claim it within 3 years of the return due date'; 'If you fail to file, we may file a substitute return for you'; 'This return might not give you credit for deductions and exemptions you may be entitled to receive' · Checked October 17, 2026

11. According to the IRS, loan approvals may be delayed if you do not file your return: copies of filed returns must be submitted to financial institutions and mortgage lenders or brokers whenever you want to buy or refinance a home.

    Sources 7 · Filing past due tax returns, 'Avoid issues obtaining loans': 'Loan approvals may be delayed if you don't file your return'; 'Copies of filed tax returns must be submitted to financial institutions, mortgage lenders/brokers, etc., whenever you want to buy or refinance a home' · Checked October 17, 2026

12. According to the IRS, if you cannot pay what you owe, you can request an additional 60 to 120 days to pay in full or, if you need more time, an installment agreement.

    Sources 7 · Filing past due tax returns, 'If you owe more than you can pay': 'you can request an additional 60-120 days to pay your account in full'; 'If you need more time to pay, you can request an installment agreement' · Checked October 17, 2026

13. According to the IRS, if an ITIN is not used on a federal tax return for any 3 consecutive tax years, it expires on December 31 after the third tax year of non-use.

    Sources 4 · How to renew an ITIN (last reviewed Nov. 17, 2025), 'When an ITIN expires': 'If an ITIN isn't used on a U.S. federal tax return for any 3 consecutive tax years, it expires on December 31 after the third tax year of non-use' · Checked October 17, 2026

14. Fannie Mae's Selling Guide requires each borrower to have a valid Social Security number or ITIN, in addition to meeting existing legal residency and documentation requirements.

    Sources 8 · Selling Guide B2-2-01, General Borrower Eligibility Requirements, 'Tax Identification Numbers': 'requires that each borrower have a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), in addition to meeting existing legal residency and documentation requirements' · Checked October 17, 2026

15. According to Fannie Mae's Selling Guide, tax returns and transcripts can be used to calculate and verify certain types of borrower income; when required, personal returns must be copies of the original returns filed with the IRS, with all supporting schedules, and the lender may instead obtain transcripts of those returns.

    Sources 9 · Selling Guide B3-3.1-02, Tax Return and Transcript Documentation Requirements (June 3, 2026): 'Tax returns and transcripts can be used to calculate and verify certain types of borrower income'; 'must be copies of the original returns that were filed with the'; 'All supporting schedules must be included'; 'the lender may obtain applicable transcripts of federal income tax returns' · Checked October 17, 2026

16. According to Fannie Mae's Selling Guide, the lender must have each borrower whose income is used to qualify, regardless of source, complete and sign a separate IRS Form 4506-C at or before closing; the form can be used to obtain transcripts for up to four years and is valid for 120 days after the borrower completes and signs it; and if the lender receives the transcripts before closing, it must use them to verify the income documents you provided.

    Sources 9 · Selling Guide B3-3.1-02, 'Use of IRS Form 4506-C to Verify Borrower Income Documentation': 'can be used to obtain tax transcripts for up to four years or tax periods and is valid for 120 days after completion (including signature) by the borrower'; 'The lender must have each borrower whose income is used in qualifying (regardless of income source) complete and sign a separate IRS Form 4506-C at or before closing'; 'If the lender receives the transcript(s) prior to closing, the transcript(s) must be used to verify the income documentation provided by the borrower' · Checked October 17, 2026

17. According to Fannie Mae's Selling Guide, lenders generally obtain a two-year history of a self-employed borrower's earnings; the lender may verify it with signed copies of the borrower's federal returns filed with the IRS for the past two years, with all schedules, or with IRS-issued transcripts of those returns.

    Sources 10 · Selling Guide B3-3.5-01, Underwriting Factors and Documentation for a Self-Employed Borrower (Dec. 13, 2023): 'Fannie Mae generally requires lenders to obtain a two-year history of the borrower's prior earnings'; 'copies of their signed federal income tax returns'; 'that were filed with the IRS for the past two years'; 'IRS-issued transcripts of the borrower's individual and business federal income tax returns' · Checked October 17, 2026

18. According to the CFPB, your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is all your monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income; it is one way lenders measure your ability to manage the payments, and different loan products and lenders have different limits.

    Sources 11 · What is a debt-to-income ratio? (last reviewed Aug. 28, 2023): 'all your monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income'; 'one way lenders measure your ability to manage the monthly payments'; 'Different loan products and lenders will have different DTI limits' · Checked October 17, 2026

19. According to the IRS, you can view your tax records in your online account or get them by mail, including transcripts of past returns; by mail they arrive in 5 to 10 calendar days at the address the IRS has, and you can also order them at 800-908-9946; transcripts partially mask your personal information but leave financial data fully visible for income verification.

    Sources 12 · Get transcript (last reviewed June 27, 2026): 'You can access your personal tax records online or by mail, including transcripts of past tax returns'; 'Transcripts that arrive in 5 to 10 calendar days at the address we have on file for you'; 'calling our automated phone transcript service at 800-908-9946'; 'Transcripts partially mask your personally identifiable information to protect you'; 'Financial data will remain fully visible to allow for tax preparation, tax representation or income verification' · Checked October 17, 2026

20. According to the IRS, transcripts are free; the tax return transcript shows most line items from your original return as filed, is available for the current and three prior years, and usually meets the needs of mortgage lenders; a transcript is not a photocopy of your return, which you request with Form 4506, with its own processing time and fee; and a verification of non-filing letter states that the IRS has no record of a processed return.

    Sources 13 · Transcript types and ways to order them (last reviewed Mar. 10, 2026): 'We offer the following transcript types at no charge'; 'shows most line items from your original Form 1040-series tax return as filed'; 'This transcript is available for the current and three prior tax years'; 'A tax return transcript usually meets the needs of lending institutions offering mortgages'; 'A transcript isn't a photocopy of your return'; 'If you need a copy of your original return, submit Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return'; 'Refer to the form for the processing time and fee'; 'states that the IRS has no record of a processed Form 1040-series tax return' · Checked October 17, 2026

21. According to the IRS, the Income Verification Express Service (IVES) lets you authorize banks and lenders to access your tax records when you apply for a mortgage or other loan; the IRS only provides tax records to a third party with the taxpayer's consent; and you authorize it through your account or with the Form 4506-C your lender gives you.

    Sources 14 · Income Verification Express Service (last reviewed Sept. 11, 2026): 'lets you authorize banks and lenders to access your tax records when you apply for a mortgage, loan, or other service'; 'The IRS only provides tax records to a third party with the consent of the taxpayer'; 'You can authorize a lender to request your tax transcript through your account, or through your lender with Form 4506-C' · Checked October 17, 2026

22. According to the Form W-7 instructions, you cannot e-file a return using an ITIN in the calendar year the ITIN is assigned; from the following years you can.

    Sources 15 · Instructions for Form W-7 (Rev. 12/2024), 'When To Apply': 'You can't electronically file (e-file) a return using an ITIN in the calendar year the ITIN is assigned'; 'Once your ITIN is assigned, you can e-file returns in the following years' · Checked October 17, 2026

23. According to the IRS, the VITA and TCE programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals; many sites serve people who generally make about $70,244 or less, people with disabilities and limited-English-speaking taxpayers, although each site may set its own limit; volunteer training includes maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of taxpayer information; and you find a site with the IRS locator tool or by calling 800-906-9887.

    Sources 16 · Free tax return preparation for qualifying taxpayers (last reviewed Oct. 12, 2026): 'offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals'; 'People who generally make about'; '70,244 or less'; 'individual VITA sites may establish their own'; 'Limited English-speaking taxpayers'; 'This training includes maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of all taxpayer information'; 'use the VITA Locator Tool or call 800-906-9887' · Checked October 17, 2026

24. According to the IRS, Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) assist low-income individuals who have a tax dispute with the IRS and provide education to people who speak English as a second language; they can represent you before the IRS or in court on audits, appeals and collection matters; services are free or for a small fee; and they are completely independent of the IRS.

    Sources 17 · Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (last reviewed Apr. 2, 2026): 'assist low income individuals who have a tax dispute with the IRS'; 'provide education and outreach to individuals who speak English as a second language (ESL)'; 'LITCs can represent you before the IRS or in court on audits, appeals, tax collection matters, and other tax disputes'; 'Services are provided for free or for a small fee'; 'completely independent of the IRS' · Checked October 17, 2026

25. The IRS warns about 'ghost' preparers: paid preparers must sign and include a valid preparer tax identification number (PTIN) on every return; warning signs include basing fees on a percentage of your refund or wanting to deposit your refund into their own account; never hire a preparer who e-files using a pay stub instead of a Form W-2; and you are ultimately responsible for everything on your return, no matter who prepares it.

    Sources 18 · IR-2024-96, Dirty Dozen: IRS urges taxpayers to not fall prey to untrustworthy tax preparers (Apr. 5, 2024): 'Paid preparers must sign and include a valid preparer tax identification number (PTIN) on every tax return'; 'base their fees on a percentage of the taxpayer's refund'; 'deposit the taxpayer's refund in their bank account rather than the taxpayer's account'; 'Taxpayers should never hire a preparer who e-files a tax return using a pay stub instead of a Form W-2'; 'Taxpayers are ultimately responsible for all the information on their income tax return, regardless of who prepares it' · Checked October 17, 2026

26. According to the CFPB, HUD-approved housing counselors give advice on buying a home, renting and credit issues, among other topics, and offer independent advice, often at little or no cost.

    Sources 19 · Find a Housing Counselor: 'Housing counselors throughout the country can provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, forbearances, foreclosures, and credit issues'; 'they can offer independent advice, often at little or no cost to you' · Checked October 17, 2026