Can an ITIN be renewed in a local IRS office?

[sabiduria]

I think I hear that a tax payer can go to a local IRS office and renew their ITIN in person.  If so, the tax payer will need a copy of their tax returns, w7 filled out and their IDs?

[itonewbie · Accepted solution]

TAC can accept ITIN renewal applications in person.  Your client should verify using the link below that the TAC he/she intends to make an appointment for can authenticate supporting documents for W-7.  Otherwise, the original or certified documents will still need to be submitted.

https://www.irs.gov/help/tac-locations-where-in-person-document-verification-is-provided

Alternatively, your client may use one of the Certifying Acceptance Agents listed in the following link without an asterisk.  Those who are listed with an asterisk are Acceptance Agents only and they cannot certify documents.  As you may already be aware, these Certifying Acceptance Agents are almost always tax professionals who compete with you for business.

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/acceptance-agent-program

[sabiduria]

Thanks itonewbie

[itonewbie]

Anytime, @sabiduria! 😊

[sabiduria]

@itonewbie, so when the tax payer goes to a TAC office, they can present a filled out w7 form along with the supporting IDs and that will be sufficient to obtain an ITIN number or renew it? Do they give it to you right away?

[itonewbie]

They can verify and certify the copies so that your client can keep the originals after the verification but they will still need to forward the application to the ITIN office for processing, AFAIK.

[sabiduria]

so regardless, copies or original ones still will need to be sent to the IRS right? 

[itonewbie]

If the intention is to avoid sending originals, which folks are rightfully concerned about, doing it at the TAC would solve that problem.  But yes, certified copies of the original documents will still need to be sent for processing regardless.

[sabiduria]

Thanks @itonewbie 

[itonewbie]

NP, @sabiduria!

[sabiduria]

@itonewbie, another quick question. The IRS modified the refund of this tax return because the wife and a dependent had an expired ITINs. Initially, the couple was going to get a refund but because of this issue, it was modified and was notified to pay a sum. 

The return was sent electronically - this was the 2019 tax return. The IRS is asking to send a tax payer tax return along with w7 form. So the question is, do the tax return need to be amended or just printed, signed and send it off along with the filled out w7 form? 

Nothing is changing in the actual return except renewing the ITINs. 

[itonewbie]

The IRS should, theoretically, adjust the return once the ITINs are renewed.  I would, however, contact the IRS once the CP565 is issued to each of the applicants either by calling PPS or writing to the IRS in response to the notice.  Your client won't have to file a 1040X for that purpose.

[sabiduria]

@itonewbie , you are awesome!! Thanks and happy Thanks Giving to you and your loved ones. 

[itonewbie]

@sabiduria  Glad I was able to help.  Wish you and your loved ones a blessed and happy Thanksgiving too.  Cheers!