If you have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) so that you can file U.S. tax returns, you may need to renew it soon. Many ITINs will be expiring at the end of 2018.
Last week, we discussed who needs an ITIN, read that here.
Which ITINs Are Expiring?
Due to a law called the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, some ITINs expire every year unless taxpayers renew them. Two different groups of ITIN numbers expire at the end of 2018:
- ITINs that have not been used on a federal tax return at least once in the last three years (tax year 2015, tax year 2016, or tax year 2017); and
- ITINs with middle digits 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 81 or 82.
As to the second category, ITINs have the format XXX-XX-XXXX like Social Security numbers. If the middle two numbers between the dashes match the numbers listed above, then you need to renew your ITIN. If, however, you are not planning on filing a U.S. tax return in the coming years, you do not need to renew it.
How Do You Renew Your ITIN?
You must submit a completed Form W-7 (Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) to the IRS. Along with the Form W-7, you need to include supporting original or certified copies by the issuing agency, and identification documents. The IRS states that you cannot use photocopies of identifying documents, only originals or certified copies.
You can submit these documents in the mail. If you do not want to send original identification documents by mail, you have two options: use a Certifying Acceptance Agent authorized by the IRS, or go to an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center.
How Soon Do You Need to Renew It?
While the IRS is sending renewal notices to taxpayers who fall in the two groups listed above, you should not wait to get a notice in the mail. Start the renewal process as soon as possible to ensure that it gets processed before you have to file your 2018 taxes. The IRS says that you should allow anywhere from seven to eleven weeks for processing.
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