How to Use Shopify with an ITIN

Written by

itin.so Editorial Team

IRS-Authorized Certifying Acceptance Agents · Last updated: August 2026

Shopify accepts an ITIN for W-8BEN tax form verification. Enter your ITIN in Shopify Payments settings under Tax Information. Without a valid tax ID on file, Shopify may apply backup withholding of up to 30% on your US-source sales revenue and can restrict payouts until the form is completed.

Quick answer

Shopify collects tax information through Form W-8BEN for non-US individuals. Your ITIN goes in the US taxpayer identification number field. Supplying it is what lets you claim a tax treaty rate in Part II; without a US tax ID the default 30% withholding applies to withholdable US-source income. Verified August 2026.

What changes when you add an ITIN to Shopify?

Situation	Withholding on US-source income	Payout status
No tax form on file	Up to 30%	Can be paused or restricted
W-8BEN filed, no US tax ID	30% (no treaty claim possible)	Active
W-8BEN filed with ITIN + treaty claim	0-15% depending on treaty	Active

Most Shopify sellers who genuinely operate outside the US and sell their own goods have little or no US-source income to withhold against. The withholding risk is highest for sellers whose income Shopify classifies as US-source, and for anyone who leaves the tax section blank.

How do you add your ITIN in the Shopify admin?

Open Shopify Payments settings.Settings → Payments → Manage next to Shopify Payments.
Find the tax information section. Shopify selects which form applies based on the business address and ownership on the account.
Select the correct form. W-9 for US persons, W-8BEN for non-resident individuals, W-8BEN-E for non-US entities.
Enter your ITIN.The name must match IRS records for that ITIN exactly, including surname order — a mismatch is the most common reason the form is rejected.
Claim treaty benefits in Part II. Enter your country of residence and the treaty article. This step is impossible without a US tax ID.
Submit and re-certify when prompted. A W-8BEN expires at the end of the third calendar year after signing.

Do you need an ITIN or an EIN for your Shopify store?

It depends on who the payee is. If your store is owned by a US LLC, the entity is the payee and you supply its EIN. If you are paid personally and cannot get an SSN, you supply an ITIN. Many non-resident founders need both — an EIN for the LLC and an ITIN for their own Form 1040-NR and Form 5472 obligations. See ITIN vs EIN and ITIN for LLC owners.

Does an ITIN affect Shopify sales tax?

No. Sales tax and income tax are separate obligations. An ITIN relates to federal income tax reporting; US state sales tax depends on economic nexus thresholds in each state where you have buyers, and is registered for separately with that state. Adding an ITIN to Shopify neither creates nor removes a sales tax obligation.

Learn more: What is an ITIN? · Certifying Acceptance Agent · ITIN for PayPal & Stripe

ITIN for Shopify: Frequently Asked Questions

Does Shopify require an ITIN?

Shopify requires a tax identification number from sellers who use Shopify Payments, but not necessarily an ITIN. Non-US sellers who operate through a business entity normally supply an EIN. An ITIN is what you supply when you are taxed as an individual and are not eligible for a Social Security Number. Leaving the tax field blank is the outcome to avoid.

What happens if I do not give Shopify a tax ID?

Shopify can apply backup withholding of up to 30% on US-source payouts and may restrict or pause Shopify Payments until valid tax information is on file. The withheld amount is remitted to the IRS, not kept by Shopify, so you can reclaim it by filing a US tax return, but that means waiting until the following filing season.

Do I need an ITIN or an EIN for Shopify?

Use an EIN if your store is owned by a US LLC or corporation, because the entity is the payee. Use an ITIN if you are the payee personally and cannot get an SSN. Many non-resident founders end up needing both: an EIN for the LLC and an ITIN for their own Form 1040-NR filing and Form 5472 compliance.

Can I claim a tax treaty rate on Shopify with an ITIN?

Yes. Part II of Form W-8BEN is where you claim treaty benefits, and it requires a US taxpayer identification number, which for an individual means an ITIN. Without one you cannot claim a reduced rate and the default 30% applies to withholdable US-source income.

Get Your ITIN Before Your Next Payout

IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Agent. No passport mailing. Money-back guarantee on Express.

Standard $197 | Express $297

Start Your ITIN Application