Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

You would not believe how vital a ITIN can be, from opening bank accounts to filing taxes. But I realize few people actually how to successfully apply and get one including myself. Is there anybody on this forum who has successfully apply and get a Individual Taxpayer Identification Number using the W-7 form http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw7.pdf and if so did you fill out section 6d?

Used my passport number and it worked!

i just sent in the form today. Applied using the ''h'' bank account that accrues interests exception. Will let you know if I succeed and post up a tutorial. I used passport and i'm guessing number as yays says.

What is a "h" bank account?

He's referring to the "Reason you are submitting Form W7" section. He chose "h" and subsequently put "Bank account".

I used "d" as both of my parents at the time were LPRs and now are USCs.

I just want to add that it is possible to open a bank account with this number. However, the only issue I ran into was that they would not give me a debit card. I assume it's because it's tied to your credit history as well, since you can take a line of credit out on it.

Didn't seem like much of an issue at first, but I quickly realized how convenient a debit card would be. Luckily, I found a way to get one that's tied to your account (plus some). PayPal offers a debit card for people with verified accounts. Apply, scan your passport and ITIN documents and your good to go. I have my checking account as my primary backup source, my savings as a secondary, and then my credit card as a third option. Finally, my parents' checking account is also tied to my PayPal account, so I have that added protection as well. It's highly unlikely it gets denied because of all this added protection.

It works mint -- it's accepted everywhere as it's a Mastercard and it makes you look cool because he says "business debit" on it. Pretty badass.


EDIT:
I also forgot that I get cash back for being enrolled in Green$ense (Citizen's Bank) and PayPal's 1% cash back opportunity on select purchases. I actually turned out better than most of my friends with bank issued debit cards!

How exactly do you apply for the Paypal card? It's asking for a SSN on the application form. Tried putting in the ITIN but that was rejected.

bump...been getting offers in the mail for capital one credit card. Just applied for the heck of it and to my surprise got approved. Definitely ecstatic right now but got a few concerns if any of you credit card gurus can help. How exactly will I be able to build credit using the ITIN? If I was to get a SSN in the future...is there a way to have it replace the ITIN by the credit agencies? I just want to ensure I build credit from now on and it doesn't go to waste.

I have been having issues pulling up my credit report with a ITIN. Is it possible to do? If so, how?
I tried freecreditreport.com and experian separately. Both rejected the request. I submitted the application online.

Any info would help. Thanks!

i think you need a ss to get a credit report. I actually called the credit agency and they said that in the past you could build credit with a itin but now you need a ss.