An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a tax processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to individuals who are not eligible for a Social Security Number (SSN) but who are required to file a U.S. tax return.
ITINs are important because they allow individuals who are not eligible for an SSN to file their taxes and pay their taxes. This helps to ensure that everyone who is required to file a tax return does so, and it also helps to prevent fraud and identity theft.