Block Offers Free ITIN Renewals

H&R Block is offering taxpayers who use an ITIN a free renewal before next season.

The 23.1 million ITINs issued since 1996 will start expiring as early as January due to the PATH Act enacted last December. ITIN renewal procedures will most impact two groups of taxpayers this year: those with a "78" or "79" in the middle of their ITIN, and ITIN holders who haven't filed a U.S. tax return for tax years 2013, 2014 or 2015.

These taxpayers can renew their ITINs, as well as the ITINs of any of their family members, for free at H&R Block offices.

Individuals whose ITINs will be expiring need to have current documents to prove their identity and foreign status. The IRS will accept original and unexpired passports as standalone proof for primary taxpayers and spouses and for dependents in some cases. Other documents that prove either identity or foreign status include State Department visas, U.S. or foreign driver’s licenses, military ID cards, and birth certificates, among others.

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