Justice Action Center
Help an immigrant entrepreneur apply for a federal Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
Help an immigrant entrepreneur to start their business by getting a taxpayer ID number (ITIN).
Posted January 14, 2021
Background & Context
Independent contractors need a tax identification number - either a social security number or an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) - to operate their businesses. Ten individuals are ready to launch businesses, and each needs an ITIN to get started.
Experience filing ITINs and/or Spanish language ability useful but not necessary.
Immediate Problem
Applying for an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) takes filling out a one-page W-7 form. The W-7 application is mostly straightforward, but determining eligibility takes some legal analysis and comfort asking follow up questions.
Work & Deliverables
We need a lawyer to join a call with an entrepreneur & ask questions to determine eligibility for an ITIN and otherwise trouble shoot obstacles to filing. Your main task will be helping entrepreneurs understand the IRS's legalese.
We have staff who will help set up appointments for volunteer lawyers and entrepreneurs.
Preparation Phase
- Intro call with project coordinator
- Review training materials on eligibility for ITIN, how to conduct intake
Collaboration Phase
- Join a call with the immigrant entrepreneur; conduct legal intake on eligibility for ITIN.
Wrap Up
- Complete final project check-in with project coordinator.
Justice Action Center
Justice Action Center is a new nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting for greater justice for immigrant communities by combining litigation and storytelling. There is tremendous unmet need in the litigation landscape for immigrant communities. JAC is committed to bringing additional litigation resources to bear to address unmet needs in currently underserved areas. There is also untapped potential in how litigation can be combined with digital strategies to empower clients and change the corrosive narrative around immigrants. Communications content around litigation that focuses primarily on putting forward legal voices to talk about immigrants does not have the same authentic voice as putting forward immigrants as the protagonists. JAC will focus on the creation of original content that amplifies immigrant voices. We believe that real change will come only when a larger base of supporters are activated on immigration issues—only then will courthouse wins pave the way for lasting change. JAC will partner with direct service providers and organizers to leverage the power of the existing landscape of immigrants’ rights organizations and also to fill in holes where impact litigation should be brought (but currently isn’t), or where communications and digital expertise could help reshape the narrative around immigration and immigrants.
Justice Action Center
Justice Action Center is a new nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting for greater justice for immigrant communities by combining litigation and storytelling. There is tremendous unmet need in the litigation landscape for immigrant communities. JAC is committed to bringing additional litigation resources to bear to address unmet needs in currently underserved areas. There is also untapped potential in how litigation can be combined with digital strategies to empower clients and change the corrosive narrative around immigrants. Communications content around litigation that focuses primarily on putting forward legal voices to talk about immigrants does not have the same authentic voice as putting forward immigrants as the protagonists. JAC will focus on the creation of original content that amplifies immigrant voices. We believe that real change will come only when a larger base of supporters are activated on immigration issues—only then will courthouse wins pave the way for lasting change. JAC will partner with direct service providers and organizers to leverage the power of the existing landscape of immigrants’ rights organizations and also to fill in holes where impact litigation should be brought (but currently isn’t), or where communications and digital expertise could help reshape the narrative around immigration and immigrants.