View all text of Subchapter B [§ 6101 - § 6117]
§ 6109. Identifying numbers
(a) Supplying of identifying numbersWhen required by regulations prescribed by the Secretary:
(1) Inclusion in returns
(2) Furnishing number to other persons
(3) Furnishing number of another person
(4) Furnishing identifying number of tax return preparer
For purposes of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), the identifying number of an individual (or his estate) shall be such individual’s social security account number.
(b) Limitation
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a return of any person with respect to his liability for tax, or any statement or other document in support thereof, shall not be considered for purposes of paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (a) as a return, statement, or other document with respect to another person.
(2) For purposes of paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (a), a return of an estate or trust with respect to its liability for tax, and any statement or other document in support thereof, shall be considered as a return, statement, or other document with respect to each beneficiary of such estate or trust.
(c) Requirement of information
(d) Use of social security account number
[(e) Repealed. Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1615(a)(2)(A), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1853]
(f) Access to employer identification numbers by Secretary of Agriculture for purposes of Food and Nutrition Act of 2008
(1) In general
(2) Sharing of information and safeguards
(A) Sharing of information
(B) Safeguards
(3) Confidentiality and nondisclosure rules
(4) Sanctions
(g) Access to employer identification numbers by Federal Crop Insurance Corporation for purposes of the Federal Crop Insurance Act
(1) In general
(2) Confidentiality and nondisclosure rules
(3) Sanctions
(h) Identifying information required with respect to certain seller-provided financing
(1) Payor
(2) Recipient
(3) Furnishing of information between payor and recipient
(4) Seller-provided financing
(i) Special rules relating to the issuance of ITINs
(1) In generalThe Secretary is authorized to issue an individual taxpayer identification number to an individual only if the applicant submits an application, using such form as the Secretary may require and including the required documentation—
(A) in the case of an applicant not described in subparagraph (B)—
(i) in person to an employee of the Internal Revenue Service or a community-based certifying acceptance agent approved by the Secretary, or
(ii) by mail, pursuant to rules prescribed by the Secretary, or
(B) in the case of an applicant who resides outside of the United States, by mail or in person to an employee of the Internal Revenue Service, a community-based certifying acceptance agent approved by the Secretary, or a designee of the Secretary at a United States diplomatic mission or consular post.
(2) Required documentationFor purposes of this subsection—
(A) In general
(B) Validity of documents
(3) Term of ITIN
(A) In general
(B) Special rule for existing ITINsIn the case of an individual with respect to whom an individual taxpayer identification number was issued before January 1, 2013, such number shall remain in effect until the earlier of—
(i) the applicable date, or
(ii) if the individual does not file a return of tax (or is not included as a dependent on the return of tax of another taxpayer) for 3 consecutive taxable years at least one of which ends after December 18, 2015, the due date for the return of tax for such third consecutive taxable year.
(C) Applicable dateFor purposes of subparagraph (B), the term “applicable date” means—
(i)January 1, 2017, in the case of an individual taxpayer identification number issued before January 1, 2008,
(ii)January 1, 2018, in the case of an individual taxpayer identification number issued in 2008,
(iii)January 1, 2019, in the case of an individual taxpayer identification number issued in 2009 or 2010, and
(iv)January 1, 2020, in the case of an individual taxpayer identification number issued in 2011 or 2012.
(4) Distinguishing ITINs issued solely for purposes of treaty benefits
(Added Pub. L. 87–397, § 1(a), Oct. 5, 1961, 75 Stat. 828; amended Pub. L. 94–455, title XII, §§ 1203(d), 1211(c), title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1691, 1712, 1834; Pub. L. 99–514, title XV, § 1524(a), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2749; Pub. L. 100–485, title VII, §§ 703(c)(3), 704(a), Oct. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 2427; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11112(a), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–413; Pub. L. 101–624, title XVII, § 1735(c), title XXII, § 2201(d), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3792, 3953; Pub. L. 102–486, title XIX, § 1933(a), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3031; Pub. L. 103–296, title III, § 316(b), Aug. 15, 1994, 108 Stat. 1532; Pub. L. 103–465, title VII, § 742(b), Dec. 8, 1994, 108 Stat. 5010; Pub. L. 104–188, title I, §§ 1615(a)(2)(A), 1704(t)(42), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1853, 1889; Pub. L. 105–206, title III, § 3710(a), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 779; Pub. L. 110–28, title VIII, § 8246(a)(2)(D), May 25, 2007, 121 Stat. 201; Pub. L. 110–234, title IV, § 4002(b)(1)(B), (G), (2)(O), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1096, 1097; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title IV, § 4002(b)(1)(B), (G), (2)(O), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1857, 1858; Pub. L. 114–113, div. Q, title II, § 203(a), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 3078; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title I, § 101(g)(1)–(3), title IV, § 401(a)(276), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1161, 1197.)