ITIN for French residents: how to get a U.S. ITIN from France

Do people in France need an ITIN?

Only if there is a U.S. tax reason. An ITIN is a nine-digit IRS number for people who need a U.S. taxpayer ID for federal tax purposes but cannot get an SSN. Living in France is not a reason by itself.IRS

These are the situations that usually create a reason, in any country:

• You rent out or sell a U.S. property. Foreign sellers often need an ITIN to claim FIRPTA withholding back.IRS
• You have U.S. income that needs a U.S. return, or tax was withheld that you want back.IRS
• You want a treaty rate on U.S. income and the payer needs a taxpayer ID.IRS
• You are the spouse or dependent of a U.S. citizen or resident and are claimed for an allowable tax benefit.IRS
• You are a non-resident student, professor or researcher with a return or an exception to claim.IRS

An ITIN does not give you work authorization or eligibility for Social Security benefits.IRS Our what is an ITIN guide has the basics.

What is specific to France

The OECD says French tax authorities give every individual with a tax obligation a 13-digit tax number, known as the numéro fiscal de référence or numéro SPI.OECD The tax ID you enter on Form W-7 line 6b, and on Form W-8BEN, is your numéro fiscal de référence (numéro SPI).OECD

• The IRS uses France in its own example. In the Form 1040-NR instructions, a student from France can exempt part of a U.S. summer-internship pay under Article 21 of the treaty. The exempt amount goes on line 1k and Schedule OI.IRS
• A U.S. visa is required for box f. The visa exemption on Form W-7 covers only Canada, Mexico and Bermuda addresses.IRS

The U.S.–France tax treaty

The IRS lists a United States income tax treaty with France.IRS Under these treaties, residents of the other country are taxed at a reduced rate, or are exempt from U.S. tax, on certain items of income from U.S. sources. The items and rates vary by treaty.IRS

You usually claim a treaty rate by giving the payer a Form W-8BEN. To claim certain treaty benefits you must give either a U.S. taxpayer ID on line 5 or your home tax ID on line 6, and an ITIN is generally required if you claim treaty benefits and give no home tax ID.IRS Some treaty claims on Form W-7 are one of its reasons (box a), with an exception number and the treaty article.IRS

Your W-8BEN guide shows each line. The IRS publishes the full list on its treaties A to Z page. This is general information, not tax advice.

How to get an ITIN from France, step by step

Five steps, in order. You can do all of them from home.

1. 1

   Confirm your U.S. tax reason

   Most first-time applicants attach a U.S. return (Form 1040-NR). A few reasons qualify for an exception that lets you apply without one.IRS The reason you tick on the form has to match your paperwork.

   Form W-7, reason box
2. 2

   Check your passport

   A current passport is the only stand-alone document, so you need nothing else. It must not be expired when you submit.IRS

   Valid passport
3. 3

   Fill in Form W-7

   Put your address in France on line 3 and your date of birth on line 4. Line 6b takes your numéro fiscal de référence (numéro SPI), if you have one.IRSOECD

   Line 3, line 6b
4. 4

   Join the video interview

   You interview with a Certifying Acceptance Agent by video from France. The IRS allows acceptance agents to do the interview by video call.IRS Your interview is on a live video call. No mailing your original passport to the IRS. We'll tell you exactly how to get your documents to us.

   Live video call
5. 5

   We file with the IRS

   We prepare your Form W-7, review it and your documents before they go to the IRS, and file it with your return if one is required.IRS The IRS says to allow about 9 to 11 weeks when you apply from overseas or during tax season. Timing depends on the IRS.IRS

   About 9 to 11 weeks

Ways to apply from France

What Nolly.com charges

One flat fee, in U.S. dollars, paid to Nolly.com. The IRS charges nothing for an ITIN, and agents set their own fees.IRS The IRS says to allow about 9 to 11 weeks when you apply from overseas or during tax season. Timing depends on the IRS.IRS

How we checked this

Every IRS fact on this page comes from IRS.gov or the other official pages listed below and was checked on October 2, 2026. Nolly.com's own prices are the only exception. Nolly.com is a private company and is not part of the IRS.

Proof Nolly.com is on the IRS list

Nolly Services Inc, d/b/a Nolly.com, appears on the IRS page Acceptance agents – Canada. Nolly.com is a private company and isn't part of the IRS.

Pages used

1. Instructions for Form W-7 (Rev. 12-2024)https://www.irs.gov/instructions/iw7
2. Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)https://www.irs.gov/individuals/individual-taxpayer-identification-number
3. How do I apply for an ITIN?https://www.irs.gov/individuals/how-do-i-apply-for-an-itin
4. Instructions for Form 1040-NR (2025)https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1040nr
5. ITIN guidance for foreign property buyers/sellershttps://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/itin-guidance-for-foreign-property-buyers-sellers
6. ITIN Acceptance Agent Programhttps://www.irs.gov/individuals/itin-acceptance-agent-program
7. United States income tax treaties - A to Zhttps://www.irs.gov/businesses/international-businesses/united-states-income-tax-treaties-a-to-z
8. Instructions for Form W-8BEN (Rev. October 2021)https://www.irs.gov/instructions/iw8ben
9. Acceptance agent program (compare agent types, agents abroad)https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/acceptance-agent-program
10. OECD: France, Information on Tax Identification Numbershttps://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/topics/policy-issue-focus/aeoi/france-tin.pdf