To check your ITIN status, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. The IRS does not offer an online tracker for a pending Form W-7, so a phone call is the reliable route. The two online tools that mention ITIN information — Where’s My Refund and the IRS Online Account — only work after an ITIN has already been assigned, which means they cannot tell you whether your application is still in the queue.
What to Have in Front of You Before You Call
The agent will verify your identity against the Form W-7 in their system, and any mismatch can end the call without an answer. Pull out your copy of the form and confirm each of the following matches exactly:
- Your full legal name as it appears on Line 1a, including any middle name or suffix.
- Your date of birth as shown on the identity documents you submitted.
- The mailing address on Line 2 of the W-7. If you have moved since applying, the agent will still expect the original address.
- A copy of the federal tax return you attached to the W-7, if any. Having it nearby helps the agent locate your file.
A different middle initial or an outdated address is enough to prevent the agent from releasing information about your application.1Internal Revenue Service. Instructions for Form W-7 (12/2024)
Making the Call
Dial 800-829-1040, the IRS individual assistance line.2Internal Revenue Service. Let Us Help You Choose the option for personal income tax at the automated menu, then follow the prompts for questions about an individual identification number. After identity verification, the agent can tell you whether the application has been received, whether it is still being processed, and whether the IRS is waiting on anything from you. If a document problem has been flagged, the agent can often explain the issue before a formal notice is mailed.
Calling From Outside the United States
From abroad, call 267-941-1000. It is not toll-free, so international calling charges apply.3Internal Revenue Service. Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) Deaf and hard-of-hearing callers can use TTY/TDD at 800-829-4059.
When to Wait Before Checking
Allow at least seven weeks from the date you mailed your W-7 before you call. If you applied between January 15 and April 30 or from outside the United States, allow nine to eleven weeks.3Internal Revenue Service. Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) Calling earlier often turns up no record of the application even when the IRS has it in hand.
Online Tools Only Work After Assignment
Neither IRS online tool tracks a pending W-7, but both are useful once your ITIN exists. If you filed a return with your W-7 and the ITIN has already been assigned, Where’s My Refund can track the refund tied to that return; you will need the ITIN, filing status, and exact refund amount in whole dollars.4Internal Revenue Service. About Where’s My Refund? The IRS Online Account, set up through ID.me, shows in its Tax Records section whether your ITIN is active, expired, or attached to pending correspondence.5Internal Revenue Service. How to Register for IRS Online Self-Help Tools
What the IRS Sends in the Mail
The outcome of your application arrives by mail at the Line 2 address on your W-7, so keep that address reachable. If you have moved, contact the IRS to update it.3Internal Revenue Service. Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
An approval arrives as a CP565 notice showing your assigned ITIN. A CP566 notice means the file is in suspense: the IRS needs specific missing items, such as a corrected document or a compliant photograph, before it can finish reviewing. A CP567 is a rejection, and it names the reason. Common causes include missing or unacceptable identity documents, an unsigned tax return, or a missing foreign residence address.6Internal Revenue Service. Understanding Your CP567 Notice
To fix a rejected application, read the notice for the specific reason, then submit a new complete Form W-7 with corrected documents to the address on the notice. If you originally sent a tax return with your W-7, do not file a new return; attach a copy of the original marked as a copy. The IRS will process the original return without an ITIN, but the ITIN is what unlocks any refund.6Internal Revenue Service. Understanding Your CP567 Notice
Getting Your Original Documents Back
If you mailed a passport, national ID card, or other originals with your W-7, the IRS returns them to your Line 2 address after processing. Allow up to 60 days from the date you mailed the documents; if more time has passed, call.7Internal Revenue Service. ITIN Supporting Documents Including a prepaid Express Mail or courier envelope with your application speeds the return trip.8Internal Revenue Service. ITIN Documentation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Two ways to avoid parting with originals in the first place: submit certified copies from the issuing agency, or apply in person at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center that authenticates documents and hands them back the same day.9Internal Revenue Service. How to Apply for an ITIN
Letting Someone Else Follow Up for You
A Certified Acceptance Agent is authorized by the IRS to submit W-7 applications, resolve problems with the IRS directly, and receive copies of your ITIN notices. If a CAA filed your application, they can chase status on your behalf.10Internal Revenue Service. ITIN Acceptance Agents Fees vary; the IRS website lists agents by location, including outside the United States.
An IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center with ITIN services can also review a completed W-7 in person, authenticate most supporting documents on the spot, and mail the package to the processing unit. Appointments can take several weeks to schedule, especially during filing season.9Internal Revenue Service. How to Apply for an ITIN