IRS processes ITIN acceptance agent applications again

The Internal Revenue Service has lifted the moratorium on processing applications to become an Acceptance Agent to help immigrants who need an Individual Taxpayer identification Number to file a tax return or be claimed as a dependent.

The IRS quietly lifted the moratorium earlier this month, but National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins called attention to the development in a blog post Tuesday.

"Many individuals who require ITINs for themselves or members of the family find that working with an Acceptance Agent is simpler and quicker than submitting all documents directly to the IRS for verification," she wrote. "The resumption of Acceptance Agent applications means that there will be more Acceptance Agents to provide assistance to taxpayers and their dependents in obtaining an ITIN."

Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

To make ITINs even more accessible to people who need them and provide assistance without cost to the individual, Collins recommended in her recent annual report to Congress that the IRS explore expanding the scope of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program to allow grant funds to be used to provide ITIN certification services. 

"In my view, the IRS should make it as simple as possible for individuals who require ITINs to comply with U.S. tax obligations to obtain them," she said.

On January 19, the IRS posted an update on IRS.gov announcing the lifting of the moratorium on acceptance agent applications and noted the application process has changed in a major way as part of the agency's modernization efforts. The old paper application process has now gone electronic, promising to reduce the processing time for properly submitted applications from 120 days to 60 days. The Acceptance Agent FAQs provide answers to questions on the new application process. Information for prospective Acceptance Agents, including application, registration, training requirements, and links to the online application portal can be found here.