Does an ITIN expire if rarely used as a dependent? Middle digits 71 renewal question
I'm trying to figure out if my grandpa's ITIN is expired. He's a resident alien and I claim him as my dependent. I only claimed him on my 2023 taxes, and his ITIN has middle digits 71. I was reading through the IRS website and it says if an ITIN wasn't included on a tax return for the past three years (2020, 2021, 2022), then the ITIN expires on 12/31/23. Does this apply when someone is listed as a dependent rather than filing themselves? So if I only claimed him as a dependent in 2023, does his ITIN need to be renewed now? I'm starting to prepare for this year's taxes and want to make sure everything is sorted before filing season gets crazy.
18 comments
Join the conversation
Daniel Price
Yes, the ITIN expiration rules apply whether the person was using the ITIN to file their own return OR was claimed as a dependent on someone else's return. "Included on a tax return" means either scenario. Since your grandpa's ITIN has middle digits 71 and wasn't used on any tax return (either as a filer or dependent) during 2020, 2021, and 2022, but was only used in 2023, it would have technically expired on 12/31/2023 according to the IRS expiration schedule. You'll need to submit a renewal application using Form W-7 and provide the required documentation. You can include this form when you file your 2024 taxes if you're claiming him as a dependent again. The good news is that you don't need to submit separate tax returns when renewing an ITIN for a dependent.
0 coins
Olivia Evans
•Thanks for the info. Do you know if there's any way to check if an ITIN is still valid without calling the IRS? Like an online lookup tool or something? And is there a specific deadline for renewing the ITIN when filing 2024 taxes?
0 coins
Daniel Price
•Unfortunately, there isn't an online tool to verify an ITIN's status - you'd need to call the IRS ITIN unit at 1-800-908-9982 to confirm if it's still valid. There's no separate deadline for ITIN renewal - you can submit the renewal with your tax return by the filing deadline (normally April 15). If you need the renewed ITIN to claim certain tax credits, you might want to renew early to avoid processing delays for your refund.
0 coins
Sophia Bennett
After dealing with constant ITIN renewal headaches for my parents, I finally found something that saved me tons of time and stress. I used https://taxr.ai to analyze all our documents and figure out exactly what we needed for the ITIN renewal process. It flagged that my dad's ITIN with middle digits 70-88 had expired and gave me step-by-step instructions for renewing it alongside my regular tax filing. The tool actually pointed out that I could avoid sending original documents (which is super risky) by using a Certifying Acceptance Agent instead. It even identified which documents would qualify for my specific situation and how to properly submit everything with my return.
0 coins
Aiden Chen
•Did it help with filling out the W-7 form too? Those things are so confusing with all the reason codes and documentation requirements. I've got 3 family members with ITINs and I'm dreading the renewal process.
0 coins
Zoey Bianchi
•How long did the whole process take with this tool? I'm in a similar situation but need to get my tax refund ASAP and worried about delays with ITIN renewals. My previous experience with ITIN stuff has been a total nightmare.
0 coins
Sophia Bennett
•It absolutely helped with the W-7 form! It walked me through each section, explained which reason code to use (I needed code "d" for dependent), and even created a checklist of acceptable documents for my specific situation. Saved me from making mistakes that delayed my previous renewal. The entire process took about 15 minutes with the tool, then about 3 weeks for the IRS to process the renewal. Much faster than my previous experience where I had to refile twice because of mistakes. If you need your refund quickly, the tool helps you avoid those common errors that cause delays.
0 coins
Zoey Bianchi
Just wanted to update after trying taxr.ai that the previous commenter recommended. Seriously wish I'd known about this sooner! It immediately flagged that both my parents' ITINs had expired (middle digits 73) and showed me exactly what to do. The document validation feature saved me from submitting the wrong proof documents which would have caused delays. The step-by-step guidance was super clear - it even explained that I could bundle the renewal with my tax return instead of sending it separately. Already got confirmation that the renewal is processing properly. This was WAY easier than the disaster I went through last time with ITIN renewals.
0 coins
Christopher Morgan
If you're still struggling to get clear answers from the IRS about your grandpa's ITIN status, I had the same issue last year. After trying for WEEKS to reach someone at the IRS, I used https://claimyr.com and got through to an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The agent confirmed exactly which documents I needed for the ITIN renewal and clarified that yes, I could submit it along with my tax return since I was claiming my relative as a dependent. Saved me from having to mail original documents separately which would have been a huge risk. Definitely worth it for the peace of mind knowing I was doing everything correctly.
0 coins
Aurora St.Pierre
•How does this actually work? I've been calling the IRS for days and always get the "call volumes too high" message. Does this actually get you through to a real person?
0 coins
Grace Johnson
•Sounds sketchy honestly. Why would this work when the regular IRS line doesn't? I've heard too many horror stories about services claiming to help with tax stuff that end up being scams.
0 coins
Christopher Morgan
•It works by essentially waiting on hold for you. When you use the service, they call the IRS and navigate the phone tree, then wait in the queue. Once they reach a real person, they call you and connect you directly to the agent. It's basically just automating the hold process so you don't have to waste hours with your phone to your ear. It's definitely not sketchy - they don't ask for any personal tax information at all. They're just getting you connected to the official IRS line. I was skeptical too but was desperate after trying for over a week to get through. The video demo shows exactly how it works if you're unsure.
0 coins
Grace Johnson
I have to apologize for being so skeptical about Claimyr in my previous comment. After another frustrating week of trying to reach the IRS about my family's ITIN renewals, I broke down and tried it. Within 20 minutes I was talking to an actual IRS representative who confirmed that ITINs with middle digits 71 (like OP's grandpa) that weren't used in the last three consecutive tax years definitely need renewal. The agent walked me through exactly what documents would be accepted and the best way to submit them with my return. Saved me from what would have been a major headache and potential refund delay. Sometimes you have to admit when you're wrong, and I was definitely wrong about this service.
0 coins
Jayden Reed
Just a heads up - I went through this exact situation last year. Make sure you submit COPIES of the documents, not originals (unless you use a Certifying Acceptance Agent). My cousin sent in his mom's original passport with the W-7 renewal and it took almost 6 months to get it back!!! Also, if your grandpa is physically present in the US, you have more document options than if they're outside the country. Good luck, the ITIN process is such a pain.
0 coins
Caleb Stone
•Wait, really? I was planning to send the original passport since that's what I thought was required. Are certified copies accepted instead? And is there a way to track the application once it's submitted?
0 coins
Jayden Reed
•No, the IRS actually requires original documents or certified copies from the issuing agency for most ITIN applications/renewals - that's why it's such a risk. But you have better options! You can make an appointment at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center where they'll verify the original documents and give them right back to you. Or use a Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) who can verify the documents and submit copies with a certificate of accuracy. Both options let you keep the originals safe. Once submitted, you can track status by calling the ITIN line at 1-800-908-9982, but they usually won't have info until 6+ weeks after submission.
0 coins
Nora Brooks
Has anyone had to renew multiple ITINs for family members all at once? We're preparing for this year and realized my in-laws and my sister all need renewals (they have different middle digits). Can I submit multiple W-7 forms with one tax return or do I need to do them separately?
0 coins
Eli Wang
•You can submit multiple W-7 renewal forms with a single tax return! I did this last year for my parents and grandma. Just attach all the W-7s and supporting documents to your return. Make sure each W-7 has the correct supporting documents clearly labeled for each person. I used paper clips to keep each person's documents together, then attached the whole bundle to my return.
0 coins