Tax & Identity Verification for Non-US PayPal Business Users
Many non-US founders are surprised to learn that PayPal may request an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) during business account verification. EIN alone may not work.
When additional information may be requested?
Additional tax or identity information may be requested:
- After opening a PayPal business account
- During account verification or periodic review
- As part of compliance or regulatory checks
These requests can result in verification delays until the information is provided.
Examples reported by PayPal users:
User-reported PayPal section for uploading documents as part of identity verification.
Example of a PayPal requesting to upload and prove SSN or ITIN documentation, as shared by a non-US business user.
User-reported PayPal prompt requesting confirmation of taxpayer status as part of account verification.
Screenshots shown are anonymized examples shared by users for illustrative purposes only.
What type of information may be requested?
Depending on account structure, activity, and location, PayPal may request:
- Tax-related information
- Identity documentation
- US tax identifiers for individuals associated with US entities
In some cases, this may include an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
Important: An ITIN is not required for all PayPal users. Requirements vary based on individual circumstances.
Data insight (informational)
Based on theitin.com internal data, approximately 62% of non-US founders seeking ITIN assistance report PayPal-related verification or compliance questions as the primary reason for their inquiry.
How theitin.com helps
theitin.com provides educational guidance and ITIN application assistance for non-US founders operating internationally.
We support users across 150+ countries and have assisted thousands of non-US founders with the ITIN application process.
Disclaimer: theitin.com is an independent service provider and is not affiliated with or endorsed by PayPal. PayPal’s requirements may vary depending on account type, country, and business activity.
This website is operated by a private third-party agency. We are not affiliated with, nor endorsed by, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the U.S. Department of the Treasury, or any other United States government agency. We charge a service fee for professional review, application assistance, and submission support for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) applications and related services. ITIN applications can be submitted directly for FREE (excluding any applicable government requirements) through the official IRS website at irs.gov.