ITIN Application and Renewal (Form W-7)
Reviewed by our office. Updated July 2026.
New ITIN
First-time applicants. We prepare Form W-7 with your federal return and confirm the documents that prove your identity and foreign status.
ITIN renewal
If your ITIN expired from three years of non-use, or on an older schedule, we file the renewal with your return so it is not rejected.
Spouse and dependents
We help you apply for ITINs for a spouse or children so you can claim the credits and filing status you qualify for.
How the process works
- You start the intake form or call our office. Tell us who needs an ITIN and why.
- We prepare your federal return and Form W-7 together and send you a document checklist matched to your situation.
- We review your identity and foreign-status documents so the application is complete before it is filed.
- We file the return with the W-7 and give you your confirmation. The IRS assigns the ITIN and then processes your return.
Most applicants can use a valid passport as the single document that proves both identity and foreign status. The IRS wants original documents or copies certified by the issuing agency. Certified copies from the issuing agency, or working through an IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent, can let you keep your originals instead of mailing them. Our office tells you which path fits your case.
The IRS generally takes about seven to eleven weeks to issue an ITIN, and longer in the busy season, so applying early matters. If you are finishing a 2025 return on extension, we can prepare the W-7 with it before the October 15, 2026 deadline.
Related: ITIN application guide · Personal tax filing · Self-employed taxes · En Español
Common questions
What is an ITIN and who needs one?
An ITIN is an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number issued by the IRS. It is for people who must file or be listed on a US tax return but are not eligible for a Social Security number, such as certain nonresidents, spouses, and dependents. It is used only for federal tax reporting.
Do I need a tax return to apply for an ITIN?
In most cases yes. Form W-7 is normally attached to a completed federal tax return and filed together. A few exceptions allow a standalone W-7, and our office confirms whether one applies to you before filing.
What documents does the IRS require for Form W-7?
You must prove both your identity and your foreign status. A valid passport is the one document that can satisfy both on its own for most applicants. Without a passport, the IRS accepts a specific combination of other documents. We give you the exact checklist for your case.
How long does it take to get an ITIN?
The IRS generally issues an ITIN in about seven to eleven weeks, and it can take longer during the busy filing season. Applying early is the best way to avoid delays, especially if you are filing on an extension.
My ITIN expired. How do I renew it?
ITINs that were not used on a federal return for three years in a row expire, and some older ITINs expired on a set schedule. You renew by filing a new Form W-7. Our office checks whether yours needs renewing and prepares it with your return.
Can Zero Fuss Taxes file my return and W-7 together?
Yes. A real, IRS-registered preparer completes your federal return and your Form W-7 together, reviews your documents so the application is complete, and files the package. We work with you in English or Spanish, and you approve one written price before any work begins.