Common Questions

Do not apply for an ITIN if you already have an SSN. Do not apply if you can get an SSN. You can get an SSN if you are a United States citizen, or if the United States has allowed you to live or work there permanently. If you already asked for an SSN and are waiting for it, do not apply for an ITIN. Only apply for an ITIN if the United States government tells you that you cannot get an SSN.

You must send real, original documents. Or you can send an official copy, which normally requires a visit to the United States Embassy if you are out of the country.

From 2018 onward, a spouse or child cannot get or renew an ITIN unless they qualify for a tax benefit or they file their own tax return. A tax benefit means the government reduces the amount of tax you owe. They must be listed on a United States tax return, and the return must show which tax benefit they are claiming. Some examples of tax benefits include: filing a tax return together with a spouse, claiming money back for education costs (AOTC), healthcare costs (PTC), childcare costs (CDCC), or for supporting a dependent family member (ODC).

An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a nine-digit number from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the United States tax office. It is like a tax Identification Number. You need it if you have to pay or report taxes in the United States, but you cannot get a Social Security Number (SSN) because you are not a permanent resident or United States citizen.

You can apply for an ITIN if you need to file taxes in the United States but cannot get an SSN. Some examples: a person from another country who earns money in the United States, a foreign student or researcher, or a foreign spouse or child listed on a United States tax form.

An Acceptance Agent (AA) can help you fill out your application and send it to the Internal Revenue Service, but you will still need to mail your original passport to the Internal Revenue Service. A Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) can verify your identity and check your documents in person, make certified copies, and return your originals to you right away. For most people, using a CAA is the better choice because it is safer, faster, and easier.

No. An ITIN is for tax purposes only. It does NOT give you permission to work in the United States and does NOT change your immigration status.

We offer three service tiers — Standard, Priority, and Concierge — each with different turnaround times and levels of support. Visit our pricing section for current rates. The IRS does not charge a fee to process your ITIN application.

Our process is simple: 1) Create your account and choose a service plan. 2) Complete your application online — our system guides you step by step. 3) Upload or present your identity documents for CAA verification. 4) We review your W-7 form, certify your documents, and submit everything to the IRS on your behalf. 5) You receive your ITIN once the IRS processes your application.

Most ITIN applicants must include a United States tax return with their ITIN application. However, some ITIN applicants do not need to include a tax return. There are special situations where this is allowed. Some examples are: if you receive certain types of investment income; you receive scholarship money; or you are selling property in the United States.

You’ll need a valid passport, your reason for needing an ITIN, and personal information such as your foreign address and United States contact details. Additional supporting documents may be required based on your eligibility category.

A passport is the easiest option — if you send your passport (or an official copy), you do not need any other documents. If you do not have a passport, you must send at least two documents that together prove your identity and that you are from another country. As a Certifying Acceptance Agent, we verify your documents and return them to you — you never need to mail your original passport to the Internal Revenue Service.

If your ITIN has expired and you need to use it on a tax return, you must renew it. To renew, follow the same steps as a new application. You will need to include a United States tax return, unless you qualify for a special exception. If you do not need to use your ITIN on a tax return, you do not need to renew it right now.

The most common reasons include: incomplete or incorrect Form W-7, insufficient supporting documents, documents that do not meet IRS requirements, missing tax return, and expired identification documents. Using a CAA significantly reduces the chance of rejection because we review everything before submission.

As your Certifying Acceptance Agent, we will put together your application and the required documents and submit it to the IRS.

You can use myITINApp to get your submission status.

Yes, we strongly recommend tracked mail for any ITIN application. We use USPS Certified Mail so you have proof the Internal Revenue Service received your application. This also allows you to track delivery status online.

Your ITIN can expire. This happens if you have not used it on a United States tax return for 3 years in a row. After it expires, you must renew it before you can use it again.

If you do not qualify for an exception, the ITIN application AND the tax return must be filed together for processing. If you need to file tax returns for more than one year, you can send all of them together with your ITIN application.

Through myITINapp, we will monitor the application status and provide information as to processing times.

Yes, once you have an ITIN you can use it to file your United States tax returns each year, as long as it remains active. Remember to use your ITIN on at least one federal tax return every three years to prevent it from expiring.

After you send your application, the Internal Revenue Service will usually contact you within 7 weeks. It may take 9 to 11 weeks during peak tax season (January to April) or if you are applying from outside the United States.

We will contact the Internal Revenue Service to see how to amend your application and re-submit it. As your CAA, we handle any follow-up correspondence so you don’t have to.