Alien Registration Number in Florida Practice
An alien registration number (A-number) is a unique identifier assigned by USCIS to noncitizens with immigration records in the United States. In Florida real estate and business practice, the A-number is relevant for identifying parties, ensuring FIRPTA compliance, and verifying immigration status in transactions.
FIRPTA and Florida Real Estate
When a foreign national sells Florida real property, the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) requires the buyer to withhold a percentage of the gross sales price and remit it to the IRS. The seller's immigration status and tax identification determine the withholding rate. The A-number helps Florida title companies verify the seller's status and apply the correct FIRPTA withholding, which is 15% of the gross price for most foreign sellers.
Noncitizen Property Ownership
Florida places no restrictions on property ownership by noncitizens. Individuals of any immigration status can purchase residential, commercial, and agricultural property. However, noncitizen buyers and sellers face additional documentation requirements, including ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) applications, FIRPTA certifications, and in some cases, FinCEN reporting for cash transactions exceeding specified thresholds.
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Barnes Walker Real Estate
Barnes Walker handles FIRPTA compliance and cross-border real estate transactions throughout Southwest Florida. Contact us for international transaction guidance.
Reviewed by the attorneys at Barnes Walker, Goethe, Shea & Robinson, PLLC