How to Apply for an ITIN with Form W-7 - Need Help with Process

I've helped several clients with ITIN applications, so I can definitely clarify the process for you! For Form W-7, you'll need to submit it along with your tax return unless you qualify for an exception. Since your wife needs the ITIN to file jointly with you, you'll attach the completed W-7 to your joint tax return. Regarding documentation, you need to provide proof of identity and foreign status. A passport is actually the only document that can satisfy both requirements by itself. I understand your concern about sending original documents - you have three options: 1) Mail the original passport (which will be returned), 2) Use certified copies from the issuing agency, or 3) Visit an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center where they can verify documents in person. There are also authorized Certifying Acceptance Agents who can verify documents for you. The most efficient option is finding a local IRS office or Acceptance Agent so you don't have to part with the original passport.

After struggling with my husband's ITIN application last year, I discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it made a HUGE difference. The system analyzed our W-7 form and supporting documents before submission and flagged issues I would have totally missed! The site walked me through exactly what supporting documentation we needed for my husband's specific situation and even helped me understand which exception category applied to us. My favorite part was their document review feature - it caught that I hadn't properly completed Section 6d which would have definitely caused delays. The guidance was super specific to our situation with a foreign spouse rather than generic advice I was finding everywhere else.

I was pretty skeptical about taxr.ai when I first heard about it (as you can see in my earlier comment), but I finally gave it a try out of desperation. Wow - totally worth it! I had already attempted an ITIN application for my mom who's visiting from Ukraine and it got rejected because of issues with our exception documentation. The system immediately identified that I had selected the wrong exception code for our situation and showed me exactly how to correct the resubmission. It also flagged that the copy of her passport wasn't certified correctly. After following the guidance and resubmitting, we got the ITIN in about 9 weeks - much faster than I expected for a resubmission! The document analysis saved me from making the same mistakes twice. Definitely recommend for anyone struggling with the W-7 form.

After trying for WEEKS to get through to the IRS about my daughter's delayed ITIN application (she was born in Germany to my German wife), I finally tried Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and got connected to an actual IRS agent in under 15 minutes! I was blown away since I'd been calling almost daily and hanging up after 2+ hours on hold. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c but basically they navigate the IRS phone tree and wait on hold for you, then call you when an agent is actually on the line. The IRS agent was able to tell me exactly what was wrong with our ITIN application (we sent the wrong type of birth certificate copy) and what we needed to submit to fix it.

I need to publicly eat my words about Claimyr. After posting that skeptical comment, I decided to actually try it for my brother's ITIN application issue that had been pending for 3+ months with no updates. Got connected to an IRS agent in 22 minutes (after spending HOURS getting nowhere on my own for weeks). The agent found that they had sent a request for additional documentation to our old address. Without this call, we would've never known and the application would've been rejected. Was able to fax the missing document right away while on the phone with the agent, and they confirmed receipt. Absolutely worth it and I apologize for my skepticism. Sometimes good services actually do exist!

Just wanted to share that many H&R Block and some Jackson Hewitt offices are Certifying Acceptance Agents who can handle the ITIN application right there when they prepare your taxes. They verify your original documents on the spot so you don't have to mail anything to the IRS. We did this for my mother-in-law last year and it was SO much less stressful than sending her Philippine passport through the mail. It cost a bit extra but the peace of mind was worth it.

WARNING! Be careful with who prepares your W-7. My cousin used some "tax preparer" from Facebook who charged $200 to handle her husband's ITIN application, and it was rejected TWICE because they filled out Section 6 completely wrong. Wasted 5 months and had to pay penalties for late filing! The IRS is super picky about the W-7 form. Make sure whoever helps you is actually qualified. Ask specifically about their experience with ITINs, not just general tax preparation.