If you're wondering whether your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number has expired, you can verify its status through three reliable methods available to all ITIN holders. Call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040 to speak with an agent, access your IRS online account to review tax information, or check official notices mailed to your address.
| What You're Checking | ITIN validity and expiration status |
|---|---|
| 3 Methods at a Glance | Phone call to IRS • IRS online account • Review mailed notices |
| IRS Phone Number | 800-829-1040 |
| What You'll Need | ITIN number, full legal name, date of birth, mailing address |
| Time Required | Phone: 15-60 minutes • Online: 5-15 minutes • Notice review: Immediate |
| Next Step If Expired | Begin renewal process or contact a Certifying Acceptance Agent |
An expired ITIN creates immediate problems when you attempt to file your federal tax return with the Internal Revenue Service each year. Your return will be rejected, refunds will be delayed indefinitely, and you'll lose access to tax credits that could save you thousands of dollars.
Filing season arrives every January, and that's when most people discover their ITIN has expired after the agency rejects their return or delays processing. If you haven't filed a tax return in the past three years, your number has likely been deactivated, regardless of when it was issued.
Understanding what an ITIN is and how it works helps you recognize why expiration checks matter before you prepare your annual tax documentation. Your ITIN doesn't change or disappear when it expires; the nine-digit number remains the same but loses its validity for tax purposes.
| Method | What You Need | How Long It Take? | Reliability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Call IRS | ITIN, name, DOB, address | 15-60 minutes | Very high | Immediate confirmation needed |
| IRS Online Account | Photo ID, email, phone, ITIN | 5-15 minutes | High (limited ITIN data) | Tech-savvy filers with ID.me |
| Review Mail IRS Notices | Mail correspondence | Immediate | High if received | Those with recent IRS mailings |
Choose the phone method if you need a definitive answer quickly and don't mind waiting on hold during busy tax season periods. The online account works well if you've already set up ID.me verification and want to check multiple tax details at once.
Calling the IRS requires you to provide specific identifying information before any representative can access your tax records and confirm your ITIN status. Have your complete nine-digit ITIN written down exactly as it appears on your last tax return or assignment notice from the agency.
Write down your full legal name as it appears on official documents, your complete date of birth, and the mailing address currently on file. Keep a pen and paper nearby to write down any information the agent provides, including your exact expiration date or renewal deadline.
Dial 800-829-1040 from any phone, and the automated system will answer immediately with options for different languages and service categories available. Listen carefully to the menu options, then press 2 for "Personal Income Tax" questions when the system prompts you for your selection.
Wait times vary dramatically depending on the time of day, day of the week, and proximity to filing deadlines during peak tax season periods. When an agent answers, immediately explain that you need to verify whether your ITIN has expired and when it might need renewal soon.
Provide your ITIN, full legal name, date of birth, and mailing address exactly as requested to complete the required identity verification process successfully. The agent will access your account and tell you whether your number is currently valid, when it expires, or if it has already been deactivated.
Call early in the morning between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM in your time zone, when hold times are typically shorter than later. Mid-week calls on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday generally have lower call volumes compared to Monday mornings or Friday afternoons when everyone rushes.
Visit IRS.gov and click on "Your Online Account" to begin the registration process, which requires identity verification through a third-party service called ID.me. You'll need a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport, an email address, a mobile phone number, and your ITIN.
ID.me may ask you to answer questions about your financial history or previous addresses to verify your identity beyond just document uploads. Once verified, you can create login credentials and access your account immediately to view the tax information the IRS has on file for you.
After logging in successfully, you'll see a dashboard with various tax-related information, including your filing status, payment history, and tax records on file currently. Look for sections labeled "tax records" or "account information" where the IRS displays details about your taxpayer identification number and its current status.
However, the online account system currently has limited functionality for displaying ITIN-specific information compared to what's available for Social Security Number holders nationwide. Check the "notices and letters" section within your online account to see if the IRS has sent any communications about your ITIN expiration recently.
Notice CP748 is the official letter the IRS sends to inform you that your ITIN has been deactivated and requires renewal before use. This notice typically arrives several months before filing season begins, giving you time to complete the renewal process before you need to submit returns.
The notice uses plain language to explain that your number hasn't been deleted or cancelled but has simply been deactivated until you renew it. The letter includes contact information for questions and directs you to IRS.gov for detailed renewal instructions and acceptable identification document requirements for submission.
The absence of a CP748 notice doesn't guarantee your ITIN remains valid for filing purposes, especially if you haven't used it in several years. ITINs that expire due to non-use over three consecutive tax years don't always trigger notices, leaving you to discover the problem when filing.
You can determine potential expiration based on your ITIN's middle two digits, which indicate when the number was issued under the agency's numbering system. Check your complete filing history to count how many years have passed since you last submitted a federal tax return using your ITIN.
Next Step: If your ITIN has expired, gather your identification documents and start the renewal process immediately to avoid filing delays and potential refund holds.
Once you confirm your ITIN has expired, you need to complete Form W-7 with your current identification documents and submit everything to the IRS properly. A Certifying Acceptance Agent, like those offering ITIN renewal services, can verify your documents without requiring you to mail original passports or birth certificates.
If your ITIN is still valid, you can proceed with your US tax filing as normal without any additional steps or paperwork requirements. Consider checking ITIN status for all family members listed on your return at the same time to avoid partial rejections or processing complications.
Many people assume their ITIN remains valid because they still possess the original assignment notice or the physical card the IRS mailed years ago. The card or notice proves you once had a valid number but says nothing about your current status, especially if years have passed since issuance.
Some taxpayers confuse ITIN status checks with Social Security Number verification processes and try using SSA tools or phone numbers that don't apply here. Waiting until the week before the April filing deadline to check your ITIN status creates unnecessary stress and potentially causes you to miss the deadline.
Is there an online tool to check if my ITIN has expired?
The IRS online account at IRS.gov provides limited ITIN information after you complete ID.me verification using photo identification and personal details. However, the system doesn't always clearly display ITIN expiration status, making it less reliable than calling 800-829-1040 for definitive confirmation from an agent.
Can I check my ITIN status without calling the IRS?
You can review any IRS notices you've received by mail, particularly Notice CP748, which explicitly states ITIN expiration and renewal requirements clearly. Alternatively, access your IRS online account if you can complete the ID.me verification process, though this method has limitations for ITIN-specific information display.
What is IRS Notice CP748?
Notice CP748 is the official letter the IRS sends to inform you that your ITIN has been deactivated and must be renewed before filing. The notice explains whether expiration occurred due to three years of non-use or because your middle digits designated it for renewal under the schedule.
Does the IRS always send a notice when your ITIN expires?
No, ITINs that expire due to non-use over three consecutive years don't always trigger CP748 notices from the agency to taxpayers nationwide. You may discover expiration only when your tax return is rejected or when you proactively check the status before filing after a gap period.
What happens if I file a tax return with an expired ITIN?
The IRS will reject your return and won't process it until you renew your ITIN and resubmit everything with the correct number. This rejection delays any refunds you're owed and prevents you from claiming tax credits that require valid taxpayer identification numbers for all individuals.
How long does an ITIN renewal take?
ITIN renewal processing typically takes 7 to 11 weeks during normal periods, though processing can extend to 15 weeks or longer during peak season. Using a Certifying Acceptance Agent can speed up the process by allowing document verification without mailing original identification to the IRS processing centers.
If you need assistance verifying your ITIN status or beginning the renewal process, professional help can save time and reduce errors that delay processing significantly. Certifying Acceptance Agents verify your identification documents without requiring you to mail originals, protecting irreplaceable passports and birth certificates from loss or damage during transit. Contact our team to discuss your situation or request a free estimate to understand the complete process and timeline.
Take action now: Verify your ITIN status using one of these three methods, then gather your required documents if renewal is necessary.