Application process

The ITIN process, step by step

Fourteen clear steps from start to result. You see where your application is at every point.

  1. 1

    Start your application

    Answer a short questionnaire about who is applying and why. We suggest a Form W-7 reason and a document list. You can stop and return at any time.

  2. 2

    Applicant information

    Add each person applying, whether a primary taxpayer, a spouse, or dependents. Identity details are stored encrypted.

  3. 3

    Confirm the W-7 reason

    You choose the reason that fits. A Certifying Acceptance Agent reviews it and may ask questions.

  4. 4

    Supporting documents

    Upload clear photos or scans of your identity and foreign-status documents, and your tax return or exception documents.

  5. 5

    Pay the service fee

    You see the exact amount before checkout. Payment does not guarantee an ITIN, and the IRS charges no fee.

  6. 6

    CAA document review

    Our CAA checks each document against the IRS list and tells you what to fix, if anything.

  7. 7

    Schedule your interview

    After your documents are accepted, choose a time. We send instructions for getting your originals to us.

  8. 8

    Required CAA interview

    A live interview with every applicant. We inspect the originals during the interview.

  9. 9

    Form W-7 preparation

    We prepare Form W-7 from your confirmed information. Each applicant signs their own form.

  10. 10

    Certificate of Accuracy

    An approved Responsible Party completes Form W-7-COA for each application.

  11. 11

    Final CAA approval

    A last check of the whole package before anything is mailed.

  12. 12

    Mailed to the IRS

    We mail the package and record the date and tracking. You can see the status in your account.

  13. 13

    IRS correspondence and follow-up

    We log notices from the IRS and follow up when the IRS processing window has passed.

  14. 14

    Your ITIN result

    The IRS mails the result. We record it and return any documents the IRS sends back.

What the IRS does after we mailThe IRS reviews the application and mails a notice. A CP 565 notice means an ITIN was assigned. A CP 566 notice asks for more information and must be answered on the notice. A CP 567 notice means the application was rejected. Do not send a corrected Form W-7. Answer the notice instead.
Typical timingThe IRS says to allow about 7 weeks, and 9 to 11 weeks from mid-January through April 30 or when applying from overseas. Timing is up to the IRS.