What is Form 6166?
Most of the U.S.A. Apostille treaty partners require the IRS to issue a proof that the person claiming the benefits specified in the international agreement is a resident of the United States for federal tax purposes. The IRS provides this residency certification by issuing Form 6166 also known as a letter of U.S. residency certification.
Also, Form 6166 may be used as a proof of U.S. tax residency status for purposes of obtaining an exemption from a VAT imposed by a foreign country (to avoid double taxation). In connection with a VAT request the United States can certify only to certain matters in relation to your U.S. federal income tax status and not that you meet any other requirements for a VAT exemption in a foreign country.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) procedure for requesting a certificate of residency (Form 6166) from the Philadelphia Accounts Management Center is the submission of Form 8802, Application for United States Residency Certification. Use of the Form 8802 is compulsory.
The letter (Form 6166) is made on U.S. Department of Treasury stationary and confirms that an individual or company is a United States resident for purposes of the income tax regulations of the United States for the fiscal year indicated on the Form. You may use this form to claim income tax treaty benefits and certain other tax benefits in foreign countries, the parties to the International Treaty.
Applying for United States Residency Certification
Taxpayers must use IRS Form 8802 to request the Form 6166 to show certification of U.S. tax residency. Only authorized representatives of a business entity can sign Form 8802 — officers, executives or partners of the legal entity. The IRS also requires specific documentation for particular types of entities.
Form 6166 apostille for Hague Convention Members
In order to use Form 6166 overseas, it must first be legalized – apostilled or certified by the U.S. DOS and embassy (if the country the document is meant for is Non-Apostille countries).
This is a process in which signatures of authorized representatives and/or seals are placed on a legal or public document to verify the origin of the document and the authority of any signatures and/or seals. If the country in which your Form 6166 is to be used is a party to the Hague Convention (Hague Convention of 5 October Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents) you process the document by obtaining an Apostille. If the country has never signed the Hague Treaty, a multi-step embassy or consular legalization is required so that the document to be recognized overseas.
Have obtained Form 6166 and need it apostilled?
Mail us the document and we’ll complete its legalization in the Washington D.C. within 5 business days.
Do not know how to obtain Form 6166? We can retrieve it for you from the Department of Treasury within 8 -10 weeks from the day you submit your request. Please take into consideration that the IRS does not offer expedited services, therefore, you shall allow us the said time to get the form for you.
Form 6166 official translation from English
In addition to form 6166 apostille or legalization in embassy, most of the countries require the Form 6166 to be translated into the language of a destination country.
At the Apoling Solutions we offer full spectrum of the services –Form 6166 retrieval – Form 6166 apostille/or consular legalization- certified translation into a foreign language – translation authentication and translation Apostille. Therefore, when prepared by us, the document will be fully prepared in accordance with the requirements of a foreign country and international regulations regarding document authentication and legalization.
Have questions? We have answers. Send us an email or call us at 718-676-4537 and we’ll take you through the intricacies for the Form 6166 preparation.