Can I look up my ITIN online?

No. The IRS does not provide an online ITIN lookup tool as of 2026. The only official channels are phone (1-800-829-1040), in-person at 1 of 13 designated Taxpayer Assistance Centers, or through written request to the IRS ITIN Operation in Austin, TX. Beware of third-party sites claiming to look up ITINs online: they are scams.

What if I lost my CP565 notice?

Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and request a replacement letter or a written confirmation of your ITIN. The IRS does not reissue a CP565 itself but will mail a Letter 4883C or similar confirmation to the address of record. Processing the replacement letter takes 2 to 4 weeks. Update your address with the IRS first if you have moved.

How long does it take to retrieve a lost ITIN?

Phone retrieval takes 15 to 60 minutes once you get an IRS agent on the line (hold times average 15-45 minutes). Written confirmation letters mailed by the IRS take 2 to 4 weeks. In-person retrieval at a Taxpayer Assistance Center is same-day if you bring 2 forms of valid ID and have a confirmed appointment.

What identity verification does the IRS require to look up my ITIN?

The agent asks for your full legal name as it appears on prior returns, date of birth, current mailing address, prior-year address if different, and details from a prior federal return such as filing status and adjusted gross income. Without prior-return details the IRS may refuse to release the ITIN over the phone and route you to a TAC visit.

Can my tax preparer or CAA look up my ITIN for me?

Yes, if you have a signed Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) or Form 8821 (Tax Information Authorization) on file. Without those, the IRS will not release the ITIN to a third party. A Certifying Acceptance Agent who helped you originally obtain the ITIN keeps a record of the assignment and can look it up internally without contacting the IRS.

What if my ITIN has expired and I cannot find it?

First retrieve the ITIN number itself using the steps above, then renew it. An expired ITIN keeps the same 9-digit number per IRC Section 6109; renewal restores it to active status. Use the same number on Form W-7 with the Renewal box checked. Processing takes 6 to 11 weeks.

Updated June 25, 2026

ITIN Number Lookup: How to Find Your ITIN

Where Can You Find Your ITIN Number Without Calling the IRS?

Before calling the IRS, search these 4 sources. Most taxpayers find their ITIN within minutes without any phone wait time:

CP565 notice. The IRS mails this letter when your ITIN is first assigned. It contains your ITIN in the standard format 9XX-XX-XXXX. Check filing cabinets, scanned cloud storage, and email if you ever asked for a digital copy.
Prior federal tax returns. Form 1040, 1040-NR, or 1040-SR contains your ITIN on the top of page 1 in the taxpayer identification field. Look at every return you have filed in the last 3 to 7 years.
W-2 or 1099 forms. If an employer or payer issued you a W-2 or 1099 using your ITIN, the number appears in the recipient TIN box. Check year-end tax packets from previous employers and brokerage accounts.
Tax preparer records. Any CPA, enrolled agent, or Certifying Acceptance Agent who has filed returns for you keeps your ITIN in their client file. Call them first; many can retrieve it within an hour.

How Do You Look Up Your ITIN by Calling the IRS?

If none of the 4 sources above have your ITIN, call the IRS directly. The IRS handles ITIN lookup requests through their individual taxpayer phone line. Follow these 5 steps:

Call 1-800-829-1040. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM your local time. Best times: Wednesday through Friday between 7 AM and 9 AM, or after 5 PM.
Navigate the phone menu.Select “personal income tax” and then “questions about an existing account.” The system routes you to an individual taxpayer representative.
Verify your identity. Have your full legal name (as on prior returns), date of birth, current mailing address, prior-year address, and adjusted gross income from your most recent return ready.
Request your ITIN. The agent confirms your identity, looks up the ITIN in IRS systems, and reads it to you over the phone. You may also request a written confirmation letter to be mailed.
Write it down securely. Store the ITIN in 2 places: a secure paper record and a password-protected digital note. Do not store it in plain-text email.

What If the IRS Cannot Verify You Over the Phone?

If the agent cannot complete identity verification, the IRS sends you to an in-person Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) appointment. Only 13 of the 363 nationwide TACs are designated to handle ITIN matters. Bring 2 valid identification documents (passport, national ID, or US driver's license), your prior-year tax return if available, and a printed appointment confirmation. In-person retrieval is same-day once identity is confirmed.

Book TAC appointments by calling 1-844-545-5640. Walk-ins are not accepted for ITIN matters as of 2026.

How Long Does an ITIN Number Lookup Take?

Method	Typical Turnaround
Search personal records (CP565, prior returns)	15 minutes
Call tax preparer or CAA	Same day
IRS phone (1-800-829-1040)	15-60 minutes on call
Written confirmation letter from IRS	2-4 weeks
In-person TAC appointment	Same day after booking

What If Your ITIN Has Expired After You Find It?

Finding the ITIN is only the first step. Check whether it is still valid. ITINs expire under 2 rules: 3 consecutive years of non-use, or the rolling middle-digit schedule (digits 70-88, all expired). If yours has expired, you keep the same 9-digit number and renew using Form W-7 with the Renewal box checked.

Read the full ITIN expiration guide to confirm status, then see the ITIN renewal guide for step-by-step renewal instructions. If your ITIN has been lapsed for many years, the ITIN reactivation guide covers special considerations.

How Do You Protect Your ITIN Once You Find It?

Your ITIN is permanently assigned to you under IRC Section 6109 and identifies all your IRS records. Treat it as sensitive information like a Social Security Number. Follow these 5 storage rules:

Store the original CP565 in a locked drawer or fireproof safe.
Keep a backup copy in a separate physical location or encrypted cloud storage.
Never share over unsecured channels. No plain email, SMS, or social media.
Only provide your ITIN to verified parties: the IRS, your tax preparer, an authorized financial institution, or a CAA.
Watch for suspicious notices. Tax-related identity theft using ITINs has risen since 2023; review IRS transcripts annually.

Need help with a renewal or fresh application? A Certifying Acceptance Agent handles document verification so you keep your originals and your ITIN never moves through the mail.

Frequently Asked Questions About ITIN Number Lookup

Check 4 places first: your most recent IRS CP565 assignment notice, any prior federal tax return (Form 1040 or 1040-NR), W-2 or 1099 forms issued to you, and your tax preparer's records. If none of those have it, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with full legal name, date of birth, mailing address, and answers to identity verification questions.

Need a new ITIN or renewal? Apply with a Certifying Acceptance Agent — $297 flat, ready in 7 days.