Help for Immigrants

Most people in the United States need to file taxes, no matter their immigration status. You can see if you must pay taxes by checking with the Internal Revenue Service here.

Updated: February 2026

An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or ITIN, is a 9-digit tax processing number issued by the IRS as an alternative to a Social Security number. Having an ITIN can provide many benefits, including access to tax benefits.

Applying for an ITIN generally involves two steps:

1. Filing a U.S. federal tax return AND

2. Submitting a Form W-7 and providing required documentation to confirm both your identity and foreign status.

Applying through a Certified Acceptance Agent in Maine means you will not have to mail your original personal documents to the IRS for verification.

Updated: February 2026

In the past, the IRS has kept all tax information private by law, and would never share information about a tax filer’s immigration status or personal information with other agencies. This confidentiality played a critical role in ensuring that immigrants could file taxes without fear of immigration enforcement.

However, the Trump Administration is making unlawful attempts to access confidential personal information. This includes changing the long-established ban on data sharing between the IRS and the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). As a result, there are new potential risks involved in applying for an ITIN. Maine Equal Justice will continue following rulemaking and litigation on these issues and share updates as information changes.

The risk of DHS accessing your information is based on many individual factors, including your immigration status and the information already known by the government. If the federal government already has your name, address, and immigration status (for example, if you have a pending application for immigration relief), there is likely little additional risk in applying for an ITIN or filing your taxes.

If you have any questions about your immigration status, personal information, and taxes, you should seek specialized counsel from an immigration attorney.

Updated: February 2026

Here are some of the Maine refundable tax credits (meaning you get the money back even if you don’t owe any taxes) you may be eligible for when you file state taxes with an ITIN, especially if you have low or moderate income:

• State Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – a Maine credit for working families with low to moderate incomes

• Maine Dependent Exemption Tax Credit – a Maine credit for families with children/ dependents

• Property Tax Fairness Credit (PTFC) – a Maine credit for renters and homeowners

• Sales Tax Fairness Credit (STFC) – A Maine credit for people with low income to offset Maine’s sales and use tax

Updated: February 2026

Get free, local tax help from CA$H Maine. Find your local CA$H site here. For help in Portland, visit https://www.cashmaine.org/coalition/greater-portland/#locations or reach out to cash@uwsme.org.

Updated: February 2026