Latest update from the wonderful world of US federal bureaucracy.
In February, I applied for an Iternational Tax Identification Number (ITIN). We’d done our research, had all our forms filled out, signed by people at our bank, notarised by US attorneys, etc, etc.. What could go wrong?
Well, it turns out that in the period of us sending off the application, and them receiving it, the IRS changed the rules for what was required.
The pre-March ‘09 version is:
Paperwork from the bank stating that you are receiving
distributions from a deposit account which are subject to IRS
information reporting and/or federal tax withholding during the
current tax year. An acknowledged (signed by the bank) copy of
the Form W-9 that you provided to the bank must be attached to
your Form W-7.
The post-March ‘09 version:
A signed letter from the bank on their official letterhead,
displaying your name and account number, stating that you have
opened an individual deposit account which is subject to IRS
information reporting and/or federal tax withholding on the interest
generated during the current tax year.
Notice that new bit asking for a signed letter from the bank on official paper? Yeah, we didn’t do that, because when we were applying, in February, they weren’t asking for it!
When the IRS opened our applications, they continued to do everything in their power to screw us by deciding to apply the new rules. The rules that had come into place after we’d applied.
So! Our best option now is to re-apply according to the new rules.
Going back to the UK in a big sulk on Monday.
