Lost Your ITIN Number: Complete Recovery Guide 2026

How Do You Find Your ITIN Number When You Lost It?

1. Check your CP565 letter. This is the IRS notice that originally assigned your ITIN. The 9-digit number appears in the top right and within the body text.
2. Look at past tax returns. Any Form 1040 or 1040-NR you previously filed shows the ITIN in the SSN/ITIN field at the top of the return.
3. Call the IRS at 1-800-908-9982. Monday through Friday, 7 AM - 7 PM local time. After identity verification, the agent confirms the ITIN by phone.

For the full retrieval workflow, see the ITIN number lost page and the ITIN number lookup page.

What Information Does the IRS Phone Line Require?

• Full legal name exactly as it appears on your original Form W-7.
• Date of birth in month-day-year format.
• Country of citizenship on your passport.
• Current mailing address on file with the IRS.
• One identifying tax return year for which you filed using the ITIN.

Why Doesn't the IRS Have an Online ITIN Lookup?

ITINs are sensitive identifiers tied directly to immigration and tax status. The IRS limits ITIN retrieval to verified channels (mail, phone with identity check) to prevent identity theft. The agency does not provide online lookup because email and web interfaces cannot match the identity verification standards used on the phone line.

What If Your Identity Verification Fails Over the Phone?

1. Call back after gathering additional documentation - prior IRS notices, original Form W-7, passport.
2. Visit an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) in person. Bring passport, prior tax returns, and any IRS correspondence.
3. Work through a Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA). The CAA can submit a Form W-7 marked "reapply" to confirm the existing ITIN if all other channels fail.

What Should You Do After Recovering Your ITIN?

• Save it in a password manager with your other identity documents.
• Note the year of last use. ITINs expire after three consecutive tax years without use.
• Update Forms W-8BEN with US payers if the ITIN had been missing from those records.
• File any overdue Form 1040-NR while still within the three-year refund window.

How Long Does ITIN Recovery Take?

Phone retrieval takes 15-45 minutes including hold time. In-person Taxpayer Assistance Center appointments are available within 1-3 weeks. Reapplication through a CAA adds 7-11 weeks if a fresh CP565 is needed. The phone option is fastest and free.