1️⃣ Check IRS Processing Timeline Online (For Reference)
You can first visit the IRS official page below to understand the general processing progress:
This page only shows monthly processing status, not individual cases
For example, it may display that applications submitted in October 2025 are currently being processed
This is for reference only and does not confirm your individual ITIN status
2️⃣ When Will You Receive the ITIN Letter?
After the IRS finishes processing your ITIN application, the approval letter is usually mailed out within 8–10 days
The letter will be sent to our U.S. mailing address
Once we receive the letter, we will scan and send it to you immediately
If you want the ITIN number earlier, you can call the IRS directly to ask for it by phone
⚠️ IRS allows ITIN status inquiries only after 14 weeks, and we strongly recommend calling around 90 days after IRS received the application
3️⃣ IRS ITIN Inquiry Phone Number
📞 IRS ITIN Office
Phone: (800) 908-9982
If calling from outside the U.S., dial +1 800 908 9982
⚠️ Google Voice (GV) does NOT work. You must use a real U.S. phone number or an international phone line
🕘 Business Hours (Eastern Time):
Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (ET)
From China, you can usually start calling after 10:00 PM Beijing Time
4️⃣ Phone Menu Instructions (Very Important)
After the call connects:
English service → Press 1
(Spanish service → Press 2)You will hear something like “Get W-7 forms…”
→ Ignore thisCheck the status of your ITIN application
→ Press 2The system will say the wait time may be long and may suggest a callback
Press 1 for callback (optional, not recommended)
You can ignore this and stay on the line
🎵 You will then hear hold music (usually piano music)
Best case: 15–30 minutes
Worst case: up to 1 hour
5️⃣ When You Are Connected to an IRS Officer
The officer will introduce themselves and give their employee ID number.
You can start with:
“Hello Officer, I would like to inquire about the status of my ITIN application.
It has been over 20 weeks since I submitted it. Thank you.”
(The IRS officially allows calls after 14 weeks.)
6️⃣ Identity Verification Questions (Usually 3 Questions)
The officer will say:
“For security reasons, I need to ask you a few questions to verify your identity.”
You can reply:
“Sure.”
Question 1: Name
“What’s your name?”
Or: “What’s your first name / last name?”
Example answer:
“My full name is XXXXXX XXXX.
The first name is spelled X-X-X-X-X-X,
and the last name is spelled X-X-X-X.”
If asked about a middle name:
“No, I don’t have a middle name.”
Question 2: Nationality / Place of Birth
“What’s your nationality?” or
“Where were you born?”
Example:
“China.”
Question 3: Address (Very Important)
They will ask:
“What’s your address?”
✅ This should be your home / residential address, in English
✅ Remember to include postal code
If they specifically ask for the mailing address, tell them:
1606 Headway Cir STE 19098 Austin, TX 78754 USA
7️⃣ Possible Results You Will Hear
🟡 If ITIN is still processing:
“We received your application on September 26th, and we’re still processing it.
It will likely be completed soon.”
🟢 If ITIN is approved:
“We sent it out on October 22nd.
You should receive it by October 31st.
Would you like me to tell you the number now?”
You can reply:
“Yes, please tell me the number now.”
The officer will read it slowly, for example:
“It’s 9XX-XX-XXXX”
You can confirm like this:
“Pardon?”
“Uh-huh?”
(To make sure you write it down correctly.)
8️⃣ Ending the Call
You can politely close the call with:
“Thank you very much, Officer.
I have no further questions.
Have a nice day. Bye.”