Renewing Your ITIN? Things You’ll Need
Some Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) expire at the end of 2016. The IRS issues an ITIN to individuals who have a filing or reporting requirement but don’t have and are not eligible to get a Social Security number.
If you need to renew your ITIN, you should submit a complete application this fall to avoid delays.
Documents You’ll Need to Renew Your ITIN
1. Form W-7
You must submit a completed Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (Rev 9-2016).
- You don’t need a completed tax return for the renewal application.
- You must include the identification documents with the form.
2. Proof of Foreign Status and Identity
Several documents satisfy this requirement. These include:
- Passport Note: You can use a passport as a stand-alone document for dependents with a U.S. date of entry. Otherwise, an additional ID from the list below is required.
- National ID card (must show photo, name, current address, date of birth, and expiration)
- U.S. driver’s license
- Birth certificate (required for dependents under 18)
- Foreign driver’s license
- U.S. state ID card
- Foreign voter’s registration card
- U.S. military ID card
- Foreign military ID card
- Visa
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) photo identification
- Medical records (only for dependents under 6)
- School records (dependents under 14, or under 18 if a student)
Important: Only original documents or copies certified by the issuing agency are accepted.
If you would rather not mail original documents, you may use the IRS Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) Program or make an appointment at a designated IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center.
3. Dependent Requirements
If you need to renew your ITIN, you have the option to renew ITINs for your entire family at the same time.
For dependents from countries other than Canada or Mexico or dependents of U.S. military members overseas, a passport with a U.S. entry date may serve as stand-alone identification.
Along with the passport, dependent applications require one of the following:
- U.S. medical records for dependents under age 6, or
- U.S. school records for dependents under age 18
- U.S. school records for dependents age 18 and over, or
- Rental statement with the applicant’s name and U.S. address, or
- Utility bill with the applicant’s name and U.S. address, or
- Bank statement with the applicant’s name and U.S. address
To claim certain credits and to receive a timely refund, renew your ITIN before you file your taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ITIN and who needs to renew it?
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is used by individuals who have a tax filing requirement but are not eligible for a Social Security number. If your ITIN was issued before 2013 or hasn’t been used on a federal tax return in the last three years, it may need to be renewed.
When should I renew my ITIN to avoid delays?
It’s best to renew your ITIN in the fall before the next tax filing season. Early submission ensures there are no processing delays that could impact your tax refund or eligibility for tax credits.
Do I need to submit a tax return with my ITIN renewal application?
No, you do not need to include a tax return when submitting Form W-7 for ITIN renewal. However, you must provide valid identification documents with your application.
Can I renew my family’s ITINs at the same time?
Yes, if one member of the family is renewing their ITIN, you have the option to renew ITINs for the entire family together to streamline the process.
What if I don’t want to mail original identification documents?
You can avoid mailing original documents by using the IRS Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) Program or scheduling an appointment at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center to submit certified copies in person.