The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently announced “millions” of Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) will expire in 2019.
What is an ITIN?
The IRS provides an ITIN to those who are required to pay tax obligations to the US government but cannot get a social security number. Those who require an ITIN can include:
- Nonresident aliens that file a tax return with the IRS
- Resident aliens who file a tax return
- Spouse or dependent of nonresident aliens, resident aliens or U.S. citizens
- Nonresident alien students, professors or researchers
Those who require an ITIN apply for the document through the IRS.
Which ITINs will expire this year?
According to the IRS, almost 2 million ITINs are set to expire this year. These ITINs include any with the following middle digits: 83, 84, 85, 86 and 87. Those with an ITIN with one of these middle digits can renew their ITIN to avoid delays in receiving tax refunds. The publication also reminds taxpayers that ITINs with a middle digit of 70 through 82 already expired and will also require renewal.
The agency also states the estimated 2 million expired ITINs is likely on the low end of the number that will actually expire. This is because any taxpayer that fails to use their ITIN at least once in the last three tax years will also expire.
How do I renew my ITIN?
The IRS provides a form used to renew the taxpayers ITIN. The taxpayer generally renews their ITIN by sending in the completed form along with additional documentation as stated within the instructions.
