Step 1
Document review
Licensed Enrolled Agents - Nationwide Virtual Service
ITIN application service for non-US residents
Getting an ITIN means dealing with the IRS, Form W-7, certified identity documents, and the very real possibility of mailing your passport overseas for months. Most people don't want to do that alone. ProTax USA is enrolled as a CAA, a certifying acceptance agent, with the IRS, so your original documents never leave your hands. Processing runs 7-11 weeks once the IRS receives your package. Book online or call now.
Compliance Support
What are ITIN services and who needs an ITIN number?
An ITIN, individual taxpayer identification number, is a tax identification number the IRS issues to people who can't get a social security number but still need to file or be identified for US tax purposes. ProTax USA helps nonresident alien individuals and foreign nationals get one.
You qualify for an ITIN if you're a nonresident alien required to file a federal income tax return, a foreign national receiving US-source income, or someone who needs to claim a tax treaty benefit. ITIN applicants include foreign LLC owners, real estate investors, and international students not eligible for an SSN. The ITIN always starts with 9, formatted as 9XX-7X-XXXX or 9XX-8X-XXXX, and it exists solely for federal tax purposes. You can't use an ITIN for employment authorization or Social Security benefits. ProTax USA walks you through eligibility before touching any paperwork.
And if your ITIN has gone unused on a federal tax return for three straight years, the IRS deactivates it. ProTax USA handles itin renewal the same way it handles new applications. Book online or call now.
How It Works
How does the ITIN application process work with ProTax USA?
ProTax USA is an IRS-enrolled certified acceptance agent, and that enrollment changes the whole process compared to applying on your own.
Send ProTax USA a copy of your passport or other accepted identification documents. ProTax USA reviews everything against IRS CAA requirements, determines your correct exception category, and prepares Form W-7 with the right reason code and supporting documentation for your situation, no guessing on your end.
As a CAA, ProTax USA certifies your identity documents directly, so you never submit an itin application with original documents at risk of being lost in the mail. ProTax USA attaches the certification letter and submits the complete W-7 package to the IRS ITIN Office in Austin, Texas on your behalf.
The IRS processes the package in 7-11 weeks. If you submit an itin application between January and April, expect it to run longer due to tax season volume. ProTax USA notifies you once you receive your itin and sends you the IRS assignment letter. Ready to start? Book online or call ProTax USA now.
Step 2
Exception category
Step 3
W-7 package
Step 4
CAA certification
Step 5
IRS assignment
Why It Matters
Why use a certifying acceptance agent instead of applying yourself?
If you apply for an itin without a CAA, the IRS requires you to mail certified copies or original documents, including your passport, directly to the internal revenue service and wait 7-11 weeks without them. That's the core problem ProTax USA solves. As an IRS-enrolled certifying acceptance agent, ProTax USA can certify your identification documents in-house, so you never hand over originals. And if you've been to a taxpayer assistance center before, you know the appointment waits can stretch for weeks.
But document handling isn't the only risk. Form W-7 asks for a specific exception category and reason code, and the supporting documentation the IRS expects changes depending on whether you're trying to file a tax return, claim a child tax credit, or report income subject to withholding. A wrong code or a missing document means the entire package gets rejected. ProTax USA has handled enough itin applications to know exactly what works for each immigration status and income type.
Look, if the IRS responds with a request for more information, ProTax USA handles that too. You're not left decoding a government letter from another country. Book online or call now.
Apply alone
CAA filing
Passport
Mailed out
Certified
W-7 category
Guesswork
Reviewed
IRS response
Self-managed
Handled
Rejection risk
Higher
Reduced
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FAQ
Common questions about ITIN services and ITIN renewal
Eligibility
CAA
Timeline
Documents
Exceptions
Renewal
Usage
Eligibility What is an ITIN and who needs one?
An ITIN is an individual taxpayer identification number the IRS issues to people who need to file a tax return or be identified for US tax purposes but can't get a social security number. That includes nonresident aliens, foreign investors, and some dependents. ProTax USA helps you figure out if you qualify for an itin before starting the application.
CAA Do I have to mail my passport to the IRS to apply for an ITIN?
Not when you use ProTax USA. ProTax USA is an IRS-enrolled CAA, certifying acceptance agent, which means ProTax USA can certify your identity documents in-house. Your original passport stays with you. That's the main reason people choose a CAA over mailing documents directly to the internal revenue service.
Timeline How long does it take to receive your ITIN after applying?
The IRS takes 7-11 weeks to process a completed W-7 package. January through April applications run longer because of tax season. ProTax USA submits complete, correctly coded packages to cut down on rejections and back-and-forth with the IRS that add weeks to the timeline.
Documents What documents do I need to submit an ITIN application?
A passport is the strongest option because it satisfies both identity and foreign status requirements by itself. Other identification documents can work in combination. ProTax USA reviews your situation first and tells you exactly what the IRS needs before preparing your Form W-7, no guessing.
Exceptions Can I get an ITIN without filing a federal tax return?
Yes. The IRS has exception categories for people who need an itin number but aren't filing right now, for example, to claim a tax treaty benefit, to file a tax return that can't be processed yet, or to receive a US payment subject to withholding. ProTax USA identifies which exception applies and uses the right supporting documentation.
Renewal What is ITIN renewal and when do I need it?
An expired itin happens when it's not used on a federal income tax return for three consecutive years, or when the IRS renewal cycle hits middle digits 70-88. If your itin is expired, you can't file a tax return or claim a tax credit like the child tax credit until it's renewed. ProTax USA handles itin renewal using the same CAA process as new applications.
Usage Can I use an ITIN for anything other than taxes?
An itin is only for tax purposes, specifically to file a tax return or be identified by the IRS. You can't use an itin for employment or Social Security benefits. But when it comes to using an itin to open a US bank account or apply for a mortgage, some institutions accept it. ProTax USA focuses on the itin application itself, not downstream uses.
CAA What is a certified acceptance agent and why does it matter?
A CAA is a business or individual the IRS enrolls to verify identity and foreign status documents for itin applicants. Because a certified acceptance agent can certify documents directly, you never need to mail your originals to the IRS. There's no free itin shortcut, but ProTax USA's CAA status makes the process faster and safer than going it alone.