Is there a free way to get an ITIN?

Yes. Download Form W-7 from irs.gov, gather your identity documents, and mail everything to the IRS ITIN Operation in Austin, Texas. The IRS fee is $0. You can also apply in person at 1 of 13 IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers that process ITINs. The trade-off is mailing your original passport for up to 11 weeks or traveling to a TAC.

Why do ITIN services charge a fee if the IRS is free?

ITIN services charge for 4 things: Form W-7 preparation, document review for completeness, CAA certification of identity documents (so you keep your passport), and customer support throughout the process. IRS Publication 1915 authorizes CAAs to certify documents. CAA certification alone saves you from mailing your original passport for 6 to 11 weeks.

Are there hidden fees with the itin-number.com service?

No. The flat $297 price is fully all-inclusive. Zero shipping charges, zero notarization fees, zero revision fees, zero status-check fees, and zero rush surcharges. Some other providers add $20-50 for shipping, $25-100 for notarization, $50-75 per revision, and $100-200 for rush processing.

Is it worth paying $297 for an ITIN service?

For most applicants, yes. The IRS rejects ITIN applications with errors, incomplete documents, or incorrect box selections on Form W-7. Each rejection adds 4-8 weeks per correction cycle. A professional CAA also handles document certification so you keep your original passport. A late-filing penalty alone can be $435+ per month, well above the service fee.

What is the total cost of an ITIN including tax return filing?

Most ITIN applications require attaching a federal tax return. Tax return preparation for non-residents (Form 1040-NR) costs $150-400 from most preparers. Combined with the itin-number.com ITIN service at $297, total cost is roughly $447-697 depending on tax return complexity. The IRS charges $0 on its end.

Does the ITIN cost differ for renewal vs new application?

The IRS charges $0 for both new ITIN applications and renewals. Professional renewal pricing at itin-number.com is the same flat $297. Renewals use the same Form W-7 with the Renew box checked. They require current identity documents but do not need an attached tax return for renewal-only filings.

Can I get a refund if my ITIN application is rejected?

Yes. The itin-number.com service includes a money-back guarantee. If the IRS rejects due to a preparation error on our part, you receive a full refund. Other providers have varying refund policies. Always confirm refund terms in writing before paying any ITIN service provider.

How much does it cost through a CAA vs by mail?

Applying by mail costs only postage ($5-15) but requires mailing your original passport to the IRS for 6-11 weeks. Applying through a CAA costs $150-$400 (itin-number.com: $297 flat) and you keep your passport because the CAA certifies copies under IRS Publication 1915 authority. The CAA also reviews Form W-7 for errors before submission.

What does a rejected ITIN application end up costing you?

A rejection costs in 3 ways. Time: 4-8 extra weeks per correction cycle. Penalty: missing the April deadline triggers a 5% per month failure-to-file penalty (up to 25%). Passport risk: if you mailed your original to the IRS, you cannot travel internationally during the 6-11 week processing window.

Updated June 25, 2026

ITIN Cost: How Much Does an ITIN Really Cost? (2026)

What Is the Complete Cost Breakdown for Getting an ITIN?

3 paths exist for filing an ITIN application, each with different costs. This table breaks down every expense for each method as of 2026.

Method	Service cost	IRS fee	Prep time	Passport risk
DIY (mail to IRS)	$0 + postage ($5-15)	$0	Self-paced	Must mail original
IRS TAC (in-person)	$0 + travel costs	$0	1 day (appointment)	Keep passport
itin-number.com CAA service	$297	$0	7 business days	Keep passport

Does the IRS Charge a Fee for an ITIN?

No. The IRS charges $0 to process and issue an ITIN. This has been true since the ITIN program launched in 1996 and remains true in 2026. You can download Form W-7 from irs.gov for free, complete it yourself, and mail it to the IRS ITIN Operation in Austin, Texas at no charge beyond postage.

What Does an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center Visit Cost?

$0 to the IRS, plus your travel costs. You can apply in person at one of 13 IRS TAC locations that process ITIN applications. TAC staff verify your documents on the spot and your passport stays with you. TAC appointments fill up during peak season (January-April) and the 13 locations are only in the continental US, so this option is impractical for international applicants.

What Do You Get for $297 with an itin-number.com ITIN Service?

A complete CAA service includes 5 components, all bundled into the flat $297 fee with no extras.

Document review. The service checks all 13 accepted identity documents against IRS requirements before submission.
Form W-7 preparation. The service completes IRS Form W-7 with your information, selects the correct reason-for-applying box, and catches errors that cause rejections.
CAA certification. A Certifying Acceptance Agent (authorized under IRS Publication 1915) verifies your identity documents and issues Form 13551 (Certificate of Accuracy). You keep your original passport.
Packaging and submission. The service compiles your W-7, Certificate of Accuracy, tax return, and supporting documents into a complete package for the IRS ITIN Operation.
WhatsApp + email support throughout the process until you receive your CP565 notice with your assigned ITIN.

What Hidden Fees Do Other ITIN Services Charge?

Some ITIN providers advertise low base prices but add 5 or more separate charges. The 6 most common hidden fees and their typical amounts:

Hidden fee	Typical amount	itin-number.com charges
Document shipping	$20-50	$0 (included)
Notarization	$25-100	$0 (CAA replaces notary)
Revision/correction fees	$50-75	$0 (included)
Consultation fees	$25-75	$0 (included)
Status check fees	$25-50	$0 (included)
Rush processing surcharge	$100-200	$0 (flat $297)

What Does a Rejected ITIN Application Cost You?

A rejected ITIN application costs more than the $297 service fee in 3 ways.

How Much Time Does a Rejection Cost?

Each rejection adds 4-8 weeks per correction cycle. A first-time application takes 6-11 weeks. One rejection pushes the total to 10-19 weeks. Two rejections: 14-27 weeks. During peak season (January-April), add 3-5 additional weeks per cycle.

What Are the IRS Penalties for ITIN Delays?

Missing the April tax-filing deadline due to ITIN delays triggers a failure-to-file penalty of 5% of unpaid tax per month, up to 25%. For a $10,000 tax liability, that is $500 per month. Filing an extension (Form 4868) does not extend the payment deadline. For help avoiding this, see the ITIN rejection guide.

What Is the Passport Risk of a DIY Application?

Without a CAA, you must mail your original passport to the IRS. The IRS holds it for the full 6-11 week processing period. If you need to travel internationally during that window, you cannot. Replacing a lost passport costs $130-200 and takes 6-8 weeks in most countries.

How Much Does ITIN Renewal Cost?

The IRS charges $0 for ITIN renewal. The itin-number.com renewal service uses the same flat $297pricing as new applications. Renewals use the same Form W-7 with the "Renew" box checked. You need current, unexpired identity documents but do not need to attach a tax return for renewal-only applications. ITINs with middle digits 70-88 have already expired and require renewal before use. See the ITIN renewal guide for step-by-step instructions.

How Much Does It Cost to Get an ITIN?

Frequently Asked Questions About ITIN Cost

The IRS itself charges $0 to issue an ITIN. DIY applicants pay only postage ($5-15) and any certified translation fees ($25-75 per document). Professional ITIN services range from $150 to $400. At itin-number.com the flat all-inclusive fee is $297, ready within 7 days, with WhatsApp support and a money-back guarantee.

Skip the rejections and the passport risk. Get your ITIN with a Certifying Acceptance Agent — $297 flat, ready in 7 days.