Why Apply for an ITIN Through an IRS CAA
When applying for an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), using an IRS CAA (Certifying Acceptance Agent) is currently one of the most compliant, lowest‑risk, and most efficient approaches. Below is a practical, real‑world explanation of why this method is strongly recommended.
1. A CAA Is an IRS‑Authorized Identity Verification Channel
A CAA is a third party or individual officially authorized by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Their core responsibilities include:
Verifying the authenticity of identity documents (such as passports)
Confirming that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements for an ITIN
Submitting Form W‑7 and all required supporting documents in a complete and IRS‑compliant manner (including proper selection of the application reason)
This means:
👉 The identity verification performed by a CAA is officially recognized and accepted by the IRS.
2. No Need to Mail Your Original Passport — Avoid Major Risks
This is the single most important reason most applicants choose to work with a CAA.
❌ Common issues when not using a CAA:
You must mail your original passport to the IRS in the United States
There is a high risk of loss, delay, or lack of tracking
If a passport is lost, the time and cost to replace it can be extremely high
Alternatively, you may need to visit a U.S. embassy or consulate to notarize your passport, which typically costs USD $50, not including travel time and transportation costs
Given this, many applicants ask:
Why not let an IRS‑authorized CAA handle the certification instead?
✅ When applying through a CAA:
No need to mail your original passport
Only IRS‑compliant scanned copies or certified copies are required
Identity verification is completed by the CAA through an approved, compliant process
👉 This is especially important for international applicants (China, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, etc.).
3. Issues Are Identified in Advance, Significantly Reducing Rejection Risk
With years of hands‑on experience, we are able to significantly reduce the risk of ITIN rejection.
Many applicants attempt to apply on their own by completing Form W‑7 themselves, often relying on generic online advice or even AI‑generated suggestions. In practice, many of these suggestions do not meet the actual expectations of IRS ITIN examiners.
The result is often:
A 90‑day waiting period wasted
A request for additional documents, or outright rejection
Continued risk to the original passport
In real cases, ITIN applications are commonly rejected due to:
Errors on Form W‑7
Incorrect selection of the application reason (Reason Code)
Incomplete passport information or documents that do not meet IRS standards
Address formats that do not meet IRS mailing requirements
A mismatch between the tax return and the ITIN application logic
Passport copies that do not meet IRS certification requirements
The value of a CAA lies in:
Comprehensive pre‑review before submission (Pre‑check)
Identifying and correcting issues before filing, rather than relying on chance
👉 This is the fundamental difference between a professional, compliant pathway and a trial‑and‑error approach.
4. Greater Expertise in Complex Application Scenarios
The following situations strongly warrant applying through a CAA:
Non‑U.S. residents (Nonresident Aliens)
Foreign owners of single‑member LLCs
Applicants who need to link an ITIN with an EIN and file Form 1040‑NR
First‑time filers applying for an ITIN together with a tax return
Applicants with multiple countries of residence, or where the passport‑issuing country differs from the country of residence
CAAs are familiar with the IRS’s review logic and historical case patterns in these scenarios, allowing them to:
Select the correct application reason
Properly structure the relationship between the tax return and the ITIN application
Avoid rejections caused by “inconsistent or illogical” filing structures
5. Higher Overall Efficiency and Lower Communication Costs
While the final processing time of an ITIN is determined solely by the IRS, applying through a CAA provides clear advantages:
A higher first‑submission approval rate
A significantly lower likelihood of receiving requests for additional documents
A more predictable and manageable overall timeline
Compared with applying independently:
Fewer detours
Avoiding just one rejection can often save 2–3 months of time
6. Better Suited for Long‑Term Compliance and Future Use
An ITIN obtained through a CAA is fully suitable for long‑term and downstream compliance needs, including:
U.S. company tax filings
Filing Form 1040‑NR
EIN–ITIN linkage
Compliance reviews by banks and payment processors (such as Stripe and PayPal)
Ongoing annual tax filings and identity consistency checks
👉 This is not just about “getting a number,” but about building a solid foundation for long‑term compliance.