No. A non-US creator generally does not need a US ITIN to receive FanBell payouts. Stripe connected-account verification depends on the account country, entity type, and tax status; eligible non-US individuals ordinarily provide the tax identifier and documents requested for their country. An ITIN matters only when a separate US federal tax obligation requires one.
Last verified: August 2026.
What is an ITIN, and who is it actually for?
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or ITIN, is a 9-digit number the IRS issues to people who need a US taxpayer identification number for federal tax purposes but are not eligible for a Social Security Number. This includes certain nonresident aliens filing a US tax return, resident aliens who do not qualify for an SSN, and certain dependents or spouses of US taxpayers (irs.gov, verified August 2026).
An ITIN is a US federal tax-filing credential; it is not a general requirement for receiving online payments. A person cannot hold an SSN and an ITIN simultaneously—someone eligible for an SSN should not apply for an ITIN.
That distinction is important for creators: whether you need an ITIN depends on your US tax-filing obligations, not simply on whether a fan pays you through a platform.
Do non-US creators need an ITIN to connect Stripe?
No. Stripe states that connected-account verification requirements vary according to the account’s country, business type, requested capabilities, and other account details (Stripe Connect verification requirements, verified August 2026). Stripe connected accounts therefore verify individuals according to the requirements for their account country and entity type rather than requiring a US ITIN from every non-US payee.
The exact identifier and documents requested can differ by country, so creators should follow the requirements displayed during Stripe onboarding. A creator onboarding in Germany or Canada, for example, should expect country-specific requirements rather than assume that the same tax number applies in both countries.
Stripe’s separate guidance for representatives or owners of US companies says that someone without an SSN or ITIN may provide a local, non-US tax ID and documentation establishing that they are not a US taxpayer (support.stripe.com, verified August 2026). That page concerns US-company representatives and owners, so it should not be treated as a universal checklist for every non-US connected account.
| Creator situation | Is a US ITIN needed? | Relevant identifier or next step |
|---|---|---|
| Non-US creator with no US tax-filing obligation | Generally no | Complete Stripe’s country-specific onboarding with the local identification and tax information requested |
| US citizen or resident creator | No ITIN if eligible for an SSN | Provide an SSN or an applicable business EIN as requested |
| Non-US creator who must file a US federal tax return | Possibly | An ITIN may be needed for the US filing, separately from payout onboarding |
| Non-US owner opening a US-based Stripe account for a US entity | No personal ITIN if Stripe accepts the entity’s EIN | Provide the US business EIN and other requested ownership information |
For the last situation, Stripe says a non-US individual applying for an EIN for a US entity should “indicate your foreign status and don’t include an SSN or ITIN if you don’t have one” (stripe.com, verified August 2026). This path applies when someone has deliberately formed a US business entity; it is not the default route for an individual creator onboarding in another country.
When might a non-US creator actually need a US ITIN?
A non-US creator may need an ITIN when there is an independent US federal tax reason, not merely because a platform is sending a payout.
The IRS identifies relevant situations such as a nonresident alien who must file a US tax return or a person claiming a tax treaty benefit when a US taxpayer identification number is required for reporting or withholding (irs.gov, verified August 2026).
An ITIN may therefore matter if:
- You are required to file a US federal tax return.
- You need a US taxpayer identification number to claim a treaty benefit.
- A US payer requires a US TIN for a specific reporting or withholding obligation.
- A qualified tax professional determines that your US-sourced income creates a filing requirement.
Receiving fan payments while living outside the United States does not, by itself, establish that you need an ITIN. If a sponsor, platform, accountant, or other US-based payer requests one for its reporting, confirm why it is needed and consider getting advice for your specific tax situation.
How do FanBell payouts work without a US tax ID?
FanBell uses Stripe for creator payout onboarding, and the information Stripe requests depends on the creator’s account country and circumstances (how FanBell works, verified August 2026).
- Connect Stripe during onboarding. You can create a FanBell page with no follower minimum and no monthly fee (FanBell pricing, verified August 2026), then connect an eligible Stripe account through FanBell onboarding.
- Complete country-specific verification. A non-US creator provides the identity, bank, and tax information Stripe requests for the account’s country and entity type—not a US ITIN by default.
- Receive payments from eligible fans. Fans can pay for a private question, tip, personalized shoutout, or small service, subject to FanBell and Stripe’s supported locations, payment methods, and currencies (how FanBell works, verified August 2026).
- Pay a fee only after a transaction. FanBell charges a 12% platform fee only when a fan pays, with no monthly fee for keeping a page live (FanBell pricing, verified August 2026).
- Receive the remaining payout through Stripe. Stripe routes the remaining amount to the eligible bank account connected during onboarding; payout availability and settlement currency depend on the supported country, currency, and bank-account requirements (how FanBell works, verified August 2026).
FanBell cannot offer creator payouts in every country without limitation. Your country must be supported for onboarding and payouts; see how to get paid as a creator outside the US for the current country information and what to do if your country is not yet available.
Do you need a business entity if you do not have an ITIN?
No. An ITIN and a business entity serve different purposes, and FanBell does not require a creator to form a US LLC or corporation merely to receive fan payments. Eligible creators can onboard as individuals using the information Stripe requests for their country and entity type (how FanBell works, verified August 2026).
Forming a business may affect liability, accounting, local registration, and taxes, but it does not substitute for identity or tax verification. If you are considering an entity, do I need an LLC to accept fan payments explains what an LLC may change and what it does not.
Frequently asked questions
Does Stripe require an ITIN from every non-US creator?
No. Stripe’s connected-account requirements vary by account country, business type, capabilities, and tax status (Stripe Connect verification requirements, verified August 2026). A US ITIN is not a universal requirement for non-US creators.
What is the difference between an ITIN and the tax ID Stripe requests?
An ITIN is a US federal taxpayer identification number issued by the IRS to eligible people who cannot obtain an SSN. Stripe may instead request the local tax identifier or other verification information applicable to the creator’s account country and entity type.
Does already having an ITIN change FanBell payouts?
Not necessarily. An ITIN indicates a US federal tax relationship, but Stripe still verifies a connected account according to its country, entity type, capabilities, and other account details. Creators should provide the information requested during onboarding rather than assuming an ITIN replaces local verification.
Do fans see or provide a creator’s tax ID?
No. A creator submits tax and identity details privately during Stripe onboarding. Fans paying for a tip, question, shoutout, or other offering do not need the creator’s tax ID as part of the payment process (how FanBell works, verified August 2026).
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