ITIN Application denied multiple times for Unclaimed Property - Which Exception & Documents to use?
I'm really frustrated and hoping someone can help me figure out this ITIN mess. I originally set up a Chase bank account during a work trip to the US about 12 years ago. When I moved back to my home country, I completely forgot about it until I received notification that the account was closed in 2019 due to inactivity. The funds (around $26,500) were sent to the State Treasurer's Unclaimed Property office. I've been trying to get my money back, but they're insisting I need an ITIN before they'll release anything to me. I'm not filing US taxes - I just need this number to get MY OWN MONEY back! I've applied for an ITIN twice now and been rejected both times. The first time I selected Exception 1(d) for "Monetary Assets" but was denied because they said my documentation wasn't sufficient. The second time I tried Exception 1(a) thinking it might work better, but was rejected again. Does anyone know which exception category I should be using for unclaimed property retrieval? And what supporting documents do I need to provide? This is driving me crazy, and I feel like I'm just guessing at this point. The Unclaimed Property office isn't helping much either - they just keep telling me I need the ITIN.
20 comments


Connor Murphy
This is actually a pretty common issue with non-residents trying to recover unclaimed property. The key is understanding that your situation fits best under Exception 1(d) for "Monetary Assets" - you were right the first time. The documentation issue is likely what's causing your rejections. For Exception 1(d), you need to provide: 1) A completed Form W-7, 2) Original or certified copies of your identity documents (passport works best), AND 3) Documentation from the state's unclaimed property office specifically stating an ITIN is required for them to release the funds. That third item is critical. The letter from the state must explicitly say they require an ITIN before releasing the funds. Generic correspondence isn't enough. Call the state treasurer's office and request a formal letter stating this requirement specifically for your claim. Also, make sure you're submitting your application through one of the IRS-approved channels: mail it directly to the IRS, use an Acceptance Agent, or visit an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center in person if you're in the US.
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QuantumQuest
•Thank you so much for this detailed response! So I was right to use Exception 1(d) initially. The documentation is where I went wrong. Do you think the rejection could be because I only submitted a general letter from the state treasurer about my unclaimed property rather than one specifically stating the ITIN requirement? Should I call and request a personalized letter that explicitly mentions the ITIN requirement for my specific case?
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Connor Murphy
•Yes, that's exactly the issue. The general correspondence from the state treasurer isn't specific enough for the IRS. You need to call the unclaimed property division and request a personalized letter that explicitly states: "An ITIN is required for [your name] to claim property ID [your claim number] valued at [amount]." Make sure they include your full name as it appears on your passport, the specific claim identification number, and the exact amount. The more specific the letter, the better your chances of approval. Also, when you resubmit your W-7 form, write "EXCEPTION 1(d) - UNCLAIMED PROPERTY" in bold at the top of the application to draw attention to the correct exception category.
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Yara Haddad
After dealing with this exact same situation last year, I found an amazing service that helped me get my ITIN approved on the first try after multiple rejections. It's called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and they have specialists who review your ITIN application documents before submission. I was skeptical at first, but they immediately identified why my application kept getting rejected - I was using the wrong exception category and my supporting documentation didn't clearly show the ITIN requirement. They helped me get the right documentation from the state treasurer and guided me through the entire process. The best part was their document analysis tool that flagged potential issues with my application before I submitted it. Saved me months of waiting just to get another rejection letter.
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Keisha Robinson
•That sounds promising, but do they handle international cases? I'm in a similar situation but living in the UK, and wondering if their service works for applicants outside the US? Also, how long did the whole process take from when you started using them?
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Paolo Conti
•I'm a bit skeptical about these services. How do they actually help with getting the proper documentation from state agencies? Those govt offices barely respond to direct inquiries, let alone third parties. Did they just tell you what to ask for or did they somehow facilitate the communication?
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Yara Haddad
•Yes, they absolutely handle international cases! They have specialists familiar with ITIN applications from all over the world. They told me they regularly work with clients from Europe, Asia, and South America, so being in the UK shouldn't be an issue at all. The entire process took about 6 weeks from when I started using their service to receiving my approved ITIN. They didn't directly contact the state agency for me, but they provided me with the exact wording to use when requesting documentation. They gave me a template letter to send to the state treasurer that specified exactly what needed to be included. They also reviewed the state's response to make sure it would satisfy the IRS requirements before I submitted my application.
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Keisha Robinson
Just wanted to update everyone - I decided to try taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) after seeing the recommendation here, and I'm honestly shocked by how smoothly everything went. I was in the same situation as the original poster, trying to recover funds from an old US account from abroad. Their document analysis immediately flagged that my rejection was happening because the unclaimed property documentation I had was too generic. They helped me draft a request to the state treasurer's office that specifically asked for the exact wording the IRS needed to see. The specialist even did a video call with me to walk through the entire W-7 form line by line, making sure I was selecting the correct exception category and properly documenting everything. My ITIN was approved last week, and I've already submitted the paperwork to recover my funds! Wish I'd found them before wasting 8 months on rejected applications.
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Amina Sow
If you're still having trouble getting your ITIN application approved, you might want to try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in a similar situation trying to get an ITIN for unclaimed property, and after two rejections, I was completely stuck. The state treasurer's office wasn't being helpful, and the IRS phone lines were impossible to get through to for clarification. That's when I found Claimyr - they got me connected to an actual IRS agent within 20 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The IRS agent I spoke with explained exactly which exception to use (1d) and what specific documentation was needed from the state treasurer's office. Having that direct conversation made all the difference. I finally understood exactly what was missing from my previous applications.
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GalaxyGazer
•How does this actually work? I've spent literally hours trying to reach the IRS about my ITIN application and always end up in a phone tree hell. Are they somehow jumping the queue or do they have a special access number?
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Oliver Wagner
•This sounds too good to be true. I've tried calling the IRS dozens of times about my ITIN issues and always get disconnected after waiting an hour. If this service actually works, wouldn't everyone be using it? How much does it cost? There's got to be a catch.
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Amina Sow
•The service uses an automated system that navigates the IRS phone tree and waits on hold for you. When an agent actually answers, you get a call connecting you directly to them. No special access numbers or anything shady - they're just using technology to handle the painful waiting part. It worked exactly as promised for me. I signed up, and about 15 minutes later got a call connecting me directly to an IRS representative who was already on the line. The agent was able to pull up my previous ITIN rejections and explain exactly what I needed to fix.
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Oliver Wagner
I need to apologize for my skepticism about Claimyr in my earlier comment. After another failed attempt to reach the IRS myself (waited 45 minutes only to be disconnected), I decided to try the service. I was genuinely shocked when my phone rang 17 minutes after signing up, and there was an actual IRS agent on the line! The agent reviewed my previous ITIN rejections and explained that I needed a letter from the state treasurer with very specific language for Exception 1(d). She even provided the exact wording that needed to be in the letter. I followed her instructions exactly, resubmitted with the proper documentation, and just received my ITIN approval yesterday. After 3 rejections and months of frustration, I finally have my ITIN and can claim my property. Sometimes the skeptic has to eat their words!
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Natasha Kuznetsova
If you're still having trouble, one thing that worked for me was going through a Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) rather than applying directly. They're authorized by the IRS to verify your identity documents, which means you don't have to mail your original passport or get certified copies. The CAA I used immediately identified that I was using the wrong exception code and helped me get the proper supporting documentation. It cost me $150, but it was worth every penny to get it done right after two rejections. Make sure whoever you use regularly handles ITIN applications for unclaimed property specifically. The documentation requirements are different than for tax filing purposes, and that's where many applications get rejected.
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Javier Mendoza
•Do you have a recommendation for a good CAA? I've been looking into this option but there seem to be so many listed on the IRS website and I can't tell which ones specialize in unclaimed property cases specifically. Did you use someone local or did you work with them remotely?
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Natasha Kuznetsova
•I used a national firm called Tax Prep Partners that specializes in ITIN applications - they had experience with unclaimed property cases. I worked with them remotely and never had to visit their office. They conducted a video verification of my identity documents and handled everything else via secure document upload. When searching the IRS directory, look for CAAs that specifically mention "ITIN for non-tax purposes" or "unclaimed property" in their descriptions. Alternatively, call a few and specifically ask about their experience with Exception 1(d) for monetary assets. If they hesitate or seem unfamiliar with the process, move on to another option.
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Emma Thompson
Something important that nobody has mentioned yet - make sure you're using the CURRENT W-7 form! The IRS updated the form in September 2021, and they will automatically reject applications using the old version. Also, when you're listing your reason for applying, check box "h" for "Other" and then write in "Exception 1(d) - Monetary Assets: Unclaimed Property" in the space provided. This makes it crystal clear from the start what you're applying for. In my case, I also included a cover letter explaining my situation in simple terms at the front of my application package. The cover letter referenced all the attached documents and how they supported my application under Exception 1(d). My approval came through in just 6 weeks.
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QuantumQuest
•Thanks for this important tip! I just checked and I think I was using an older version of the W-7 form. Where can I find the most current version? Is it available on the IRS website? The cover letter is a smart idea too. Did you include anything specific in yours that you think helped with the approval process?
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Emma Thompson
•You can find the current W-7 form on the IRS website: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw7.pdf - always download it directly from there to ensure you have the latest version. The current one says "Rev. September 2021" in the top right corner. For the cover letter, I kept it simple and professional - just one page that clearly stated: 1) I'm applying for an ITIN under Exception 1(d) for monetary assets, 2) I need the ITIN solely to claim property held by [state] treasurer's office, 3) A list of all documents enclosed, and 4) Contact information if they needed anything else. I think being super clear about the exception category and purpose helped prevent my application from going into the wrong processing queue. Good luck!
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Zoe Stavros
This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation where I have unclaimed property from an old Wells Fargo account that was closed due to inactivity. The state is requiring an ITIN before they'll release the funds. Based on all the advice here, I'm planning to: 1. Use Exception 1(d) for monetary assets 2. Download the current W-7 form (Rev. September 2021) from the IRS website 3. Request a specific letter from the state treasurer that explicitly states an ITIN is required for my claim 4. Include a cover letter clearly explaining my situation One question though - for those who were successful, how long did it typically take to get the proper documentation from your state's unclaimed property office? I'm worried they might give me the runaround like they seem to do with a lot of people. Also, should I mention in my request to the state that the letter needs to be worded specifically for IRS ITIN requirements, or is it better to just ask for confirmation that an ITIN is needed without getting too technical?
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