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How much does it cost to get an ITIN number?

Short answer

An ITIN costs nothing from the IRS. The IRS doesn't charge a fee to issue one, and its Taxpayer Assistance Centers and VITA sites with ITIN services help for free. Certifying Acceptance Agents and Acceptance Agents are fee-based, and fees vary from one agent to the next. You pay only if you choose an agent.

Checked against 5 official sources
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By · Founder of ITIN Club

Updated

What each option costs

Publication 1915 says the IRS does not charge a fee to obtain an ITIN. What you might pay for is help with the application. The IRS compares the ways to apply on its How to apply page.

Renewing an expired ITIN uses the same options. The IRS doesn't publish a standard agent fee.
OptionCostWhat you get
Mail it yourselfNo IRS feeYou send Form W-7, your tax return and original or certified ID documents to the IRS in Austin. Mailed originals come back within 60 days
Taxpayer Assistance CenterFreeReviews your W-7, checks most documents and hands them back at the appointment. Doesn't help you fill in the form
VITA site with ITIN servicesFreeHelps complete the W-7, checks most documents and can prepare your return for free if you qualify. Limited US locations
Certifying Acceptance AgentFee-basedHelps complete the W-7 and checks most documents, in the US or abroad
Acceptance AgentFee-basedHelps complete and mail the W-7 but doesn't authenticate documents

How to apply for free

  1. 1

    Put the package together

    You need Form W-7, a federal tax return unless an exception applies, and ID documents. Topic 857 says originals or copies certified by the issuing agency are accepted. Notarized copies are not. A passport works on its own; otherwise bring at least two current documents.

  2. 2

    Book a Taxpayer Assistance Center

    Call 844-545-5640 for an appointment at a center with ITIN services. It may take several weeks to get one. Each family member who is applying has to come in person with their own package.

  3. 3

    Or call a VITA site

    Some VITA sites have Certifying Acceptance Agents who do the same work for free. The IRS lists them by state. Call the site for an appointment.

  4. 4

    Or mail it yourself

    Mailing costs you postage, not an IRS fee. The catch is that your original documents stay with the IRS until they're returned, within 60 days.

Free tool

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W-7 document checklist

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6 items to send

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Enter the date the IRS received your W-7 and see the window for your ITIN letter and when your original documents should come back.

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Related questions

Sources

  1. Publication 1915, Understanding your ITIN — IRSirs.gov
  2. How to apply for an ITIN — IRSirs.gov
  3. Taxpayer Assistance Centers with ITIN services — IRSirs.gov
  4. VITA sites with ITIN services — IRSirs.gov
  5. Topic no. 857, Individual taxpayer identification number — IRSirs.gov

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