If you're a Bangladeshi freelancer earning on Fiverr, you've probably seen the message asking for your Tax Identification Number (TIN). Without an ITIN, Fiverr may withhold 30% of your US earnings. An ITIN lets you submit a W-8BEN form, declare your foreign status, and keep 100% of what you earn.
Why Fiverr Asks for a Tax ID
Fiverr is a US-based platform required by the IRS to collect tax information from sellers. When a US buyer pays you, Fiverr may treat that payment as US-source income and withhold 30% unless you provide a valid Tax ID via Form W-8BEN.
As a Bangladeshi national, you are a non-US person (non-resident alien). This means you can submit a W-8BEN to certify your foreign status — but Fiverr requires your ITIN to validate that form. Without it, withholding applies automatically.
How an ITIN Stops the Withholding
Once you receive your ITIN from the IRS, you enter it on Fiverr's W-8BEN form in the Seller Tax Information section. Fiverr then stops withholding tax on your earnings. You continue to pay taxes in Bangladesh according to local law — but the US 30% withholding is eliminated.
Bangladesh does not have a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States, so the withholding rate stays at 30% by default. The only way to avoid it as a Bangladeshi is to correctly claim foreign-person status via W-8BEN with your ITIN.
Steps: ITIN Application for Bangladeshi Fiverr Sellers
The process involves IRS Form W-7. As an IRS Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA), ITIN Plus handles the entire application on your behalf:
- Collect your documents: valid passport and Bangladeshi national ID or birth certificate, plus proof of residential address
- ITIN Plus reviews your documents and completes Form W-7
- We submit directly to the IRS — no need to mail your original passport
- The IRS processes the application in 8–14 weeks and mails your ITIN to your address
You then enter your ITIN on Fiverr and submit your W-8BEN. Withholding stops immediately for future payments.
Cost and What's Included
ITIN Plus charges a flat fee of $99 — no hidden costs, no renewal fees, no extra charges. Included in your $99: document review, Form W-7 preparation, direct IRS submission, and support throughout the process.
Compared to losing 30% of every Fiverr payment indefinitely, $99 is recovered in your first or second order. Many Bangladeshi Fiverr sellers recoup the fee on the very first month after getting their ITIN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Bangladeshi Fiverr sellers need an ITIN?
Yes. If you earn from US buyers on Fiverr, Fiverr will require a Tax ID number to process your W-8BEN form and avoid 30% US tax withholding. An ITIN is the correct Tax ID for non-US persons like Bangladeshi nationals.
Does Bangladesh have a tax treaty with the US?
Bangladesh does not have a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States that reduces withholding rates on freelance income. However, filing a W-8BEN with your ITIN certifies your foreign status, which is sufficient to remove the withholding requirement for non-US persons.
Can I get an ITIN without travelling to the US?
Yes. Through an IRS Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) like ITIN Plus, you can apply from Bangladesh without visiting the US or mailing your original passport to the IRS. The CAA verifies your documents locally or remotely.
How long does it take to get my ITIN?
The IRS typically processes ITIN applications in 8–14 weeks from the date of submission. ITIN Plus will notify you as soon as your ITIN is issued.
What documents do I need?
You need a valid passport (primary ID), a second government-issued ID (National ID card or birth certificate), and proof of your residential address in Bangladesh (utility bill or bank statement).