ITIN Renewal 2026: How to Renew Step by Step

When Does Your ITIN Need Renewal in 2026?

Your ITIN needs renewal under 2 IRS rules established by the PATH Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-113, Section 203):

1. 3-year non-use rule. If you have not used your ITIN on a federal tax return for 3 consecutive tax years, it expired on December 31 of the third year. Filing once in any 3-year window keeps your ITIN active.
2. Rolling middle-digit schedule. All ITINs with middle digits 70 through 88 (issued before 2013) have already expired regardless of filing history. Check digits 4 and 5 of your ITIN to confirm.

For the complete expiration schedule, see the ITIN expiration guide. If your ITIN has been expired for many years and you have not filed during that time, see the ITIN reactivation guide for additional considerations.

What Are the 5 Steps to Renew Your ITIN?

Follow these 5 steps in order. Most renewals complete the preparation phase within 1 week and reach the IRS processing queue within 10 days.

Step 1: Gather Current Identity Documents

Get a valid, unexpired passport (best single document) or 2 documents from the IRS list of 13 accepted documents. The full list and combinations are in our documents required guide. Documents must be originals or certified copies from the issuing agency. The IRS does not accept notarized copies.

Step 2: Complete Form W-7 with Renewal Box Checked

Download the current Form W-7 from irs.gov. Check the Renewal box at the top. Enter your existing ITIN number. Fill in name, date of birth, country of citizenship, foreign tax ID (if any), mailing address, and reason for applying. Match every field to your identity documents exactly. Sign and date in wet ink.

Step 3: Prepare Your Tax Return (If Filing)

Most renewals are filed alongside a current-year federal tax return. Complete Form 1040 or 1040-NR with your existing ITIN in the SSN field. Write “ITIN RENEWAL” at the top of the return so IRS processors route it correctly. Attach Form W-7 behind page 1 of the return.

Step 4: Choose Your Submission Method

3 submission methods are available: mail the original documents to the IRS in Austin, TX (riskier); visit 1 of 13 Taxpayer Assistance Centers in person (limited availability); or use a Certifying Acceptance Agent who verifies documents locally so you keep your originals.

Step 5: Wait for Your CP565 Confirmation Notice

The IRS mails a CP565 confirmation notice 7 to 11 weeks after receipt. Check your application status by calling 1-800-829-1040 after 7 weeks. The full step-by-step phone process is in our application status guide.

What Documents Do You Need for ITIN Renewal in 2026?

The IRS requires documents proving both identity and foreign status. A passport proves both in 1 document. Without a passport, you need at least 2 documents from the IRS list of 13:

All foreign-language documents need certified English translations ($25-75 per document). Documents must be current and unexpired at the date the IRS receives your application.

How Long Does ITIN Renewal Take in 2026?

Total renewal time depends on submission timing and whether your application clears IRS review without errors:

For week-by-week timeline detail, see our processing time guide.

What Are the Most Common ITIN Renewal Mistakes?

The IRS rejects renewals for 6 common errors. Each rejection adds 4 to 8 weeks. Avoid these mistakes to keep your renewal on the 7-to-11-week track:

• Forgetting the Renewal box on Form W-7. An unchecked box treats the form as a new application and may create a duplicate ITIN issue.
• Submitting expired documents. Passports and IDs must be current at the date of IRS receipt, not the date you mail them.
• Sending notarized instead of certified copies. The IRS does not accept notarized copies. Only certified copies from the issuing agency, or CAA-verified originals.
• Name mismatch. The name on Form W-7 must match your passport exactly, including middle name and accents.
• Wrong reason code on line 6. Renewal does not change the original reason. Use the same code as your initial application unless your status has changed.
• Missing federal tax return. Most renewals should include the current-year return. Renewals filed alone without a return may be delayed pending IRS clarification.

Want a professional to handle every detail? See the Certifying Acceptance Agent program for how a CAA prevents these rejections.

When Is the Best Time to Renew Your ITIN in 2026?

The IRS officially recommends renewing October through December. This off-peak window gives you 7 to 9 week processing, and your renewed ITIN is active before the January-April tax filing season begins. Waiting until peak season adds 3 to 5 weeks of processing time, raising the risk that your renewal completes after the April 15 filing deadline.

If you already missed the off-peak window and need to file by April 15, 2 options remain. First, submit Form 4868 for an automatic 6-month filing extension, pushing your filing deadline to October 15. Second, use a Certifying Acceptance Agent to prepare a clean application that minimizes IRS correction time.

What Happens After Your ITIN Is Renewed?

Once the CP565 notice arrives, your ITIN is fully active. You can then:

• File current and back federal tax returns
• Amend prior returns (Form 1040-X) to reclaim credits stripped when your ITIN was expired, going back up to 3 years
• Open or update US bank and brokerage accounts
• Claim treaty benefits with Form 8833
• Receive direct-deposit refunds to a US bank account in 8 to 12 weeks for paper-filed returns