Tin number

Last update : July 12, 2023

What is a Tin number?

Tin number or Tax Identification Number is a general term to describe any identification number that is used by the IRS or Internal Revenue Service in the administration of tax laws.

A TIN is required when filing tax returns, when claiming treaty benefits, or for other tax-related documents such as statements, returns, and withholding certificates.

TIN numbers (Tax Identification Number) that are used by the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) include:

  • Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
  • Taxpayer Identification Number for Pending U.S. Adoptions (ATIN)
  • Preparer Taxpayer Identification Number (PTIN)

What is the difference between the TIN number and SSN?

A TIN can be a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). An SSN is a number issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows an individual to receive social security benefits, while an ITIN is a number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that allows an individual to pay taxes.


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