ITIN Guide

ITIN Application Cost (2026) Guide

The IRS charges $0 for an ITIN. CAA fees run $50-$275, tax preparers $150-$500. ein.so ITIN service costs $197 standard / $297 express. No government fee exists.

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The IRS charges $0 for an ITIN. There is no government fee. An ITIN is an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number issued on Form W-7 for people who must file a US tax return but cannot get an SSN. Certifying Acceptance Agent fees run $50-$275. Tax preparers charge $150-$500. ein.so handles the full ITIN process for $197 standard or $297 express.

An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is a 9-digit tax ID the IRS issues to individuals who file a US tax return without a Social Security Number. It is not the same as an EIN. An EIN identifies a business; an ITIN identifies a person. The application form is also different: ITIN uses Form W-7, while an EIN uses Form SS-4. The IRS charges nothing for either one. This guide breaks down every real ITIN cost in 2026, explains why ITIN service prices exceed EIN prices, and shows you how to choose the right path.

Factor	ITIN	EIN
What it identifies	An individual person	A business entity
IRS form	Form W-7	Form SS-4
IRS fee	$0	$0
IRS processing time	7-11 weeks	4-7 business days
ein.so service fee	$197-$297	$49-$97
Tax return required	Usually yes	No
Identity proof	Certified passport	Passport number on Line 7b

IRS Cost

How Much Does the IRS Charge for an ITIN?

The IRS charges $0 for an ITIN. Form W-7 carries no government filing fee. The IRS issues the number for free to anyone who files a valid application with a tax return and accepted identity documents. Every dollar you pay goes to a private helper, not the government.

You pay third parties for three reasons: to keep your original passport, to prepare the attached tax return, and to avoid IRS rejections. The table below shows the full 2026 cost landscape.

Provider	Cost	Keep your passport?
IRS direct (mail)	$0	No - mail original
Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA)	$50-$275	Yes
Tax preparer	$150-$500	Sometimes
ein.so ITIN service	$197-$297	Depends on documents

A Certifying Acceptance Agent certifies your passport in person or by video, so you keep the document. The IRS authorizes CAAs to verify identity on its behalf. A tax preparer adds value by preparing the Form 1040-NR return that must accompany Form W-7. Confirm which path fits your tax situation with a CPA.

Cost Breakdown

What Does an ITIN Service Fee Cover?

An ITIN service fee covers Form W-7 preparation, tax return assistance, identity document review, IRS submission, application tracking, and delivery notification. The IRS charges $0, so the entire ein.so fee of $197-$297 pays for handling a process that takes 7-11 weeks and rejects malformed applications.

Form W-7 Preparation

The W-7 captures your name, foreign address, country of citizenship, visa or treaty status, and the reason you need an ITIN. A wrong reason code or a mismatched name causes silent rejection. ein.so completes the form to match your passport exactly.

Tax Return Assistance

Form W-7 must attach to a federal tax return in most cases, usually Form 1040-NR. A standalone W-7 with no return is rejected unless you qualify for a narrow exception. The return is the single biggest reason ITIN service costs more than EIN service.

Identity Document Review

The IRS accepts a certified passport as the single document that proves both identity and foreign status. ein.so reviews your passport copy and country details so the document package meets IRS standards before submission.

Submission and Tracking

ein.so submits the W-7 package to the IRS and tracks the 7-11 week review. You receive a notification when the ITIN arrives. ein.so does not provide tax advice; work with a CPA on the underlying return.

ITIN vs EIN

Why Does an ITIN Cost More Than an EIN?

An ITIN costs more than an EIN because it requires Form W-7, a federal tax return, and certified identity documents, while an EIN requires only Form SS-4. ein.so charges $197-$297 for an ITIN and $49-$97 for an EIN. The IRS fee for both is $0.

Most non-US residents who form a US LLC need only an EIN, not an ITIN. An EIN lets your LLC open a bank account, accept payments, and file business taxes. You do not need an ITIN to get an EIN. The EIN without SSN process uses your passport number on Form SS-4 Line 7b instead of a Social Security Number.

	ITIN	EIN
IRS form	Form W-7	Form SS-4
IRS fee	$0	$0
ein.so standard	$197	$49
ein.so express	$297	$97
Processing time	7-11 weeks	4-7 business days
Tax return required	Usually yes	No
Purpose	File personal US tax	Run a US business

If you only need to operate a US business as a non-resident, start with an EIN for non-residents. Many founders never need an ITIN at all. An ITIN matters when you personally must file a US return and have no SSN.

DIY Path

Can You Get an ITIN for Free?

Yes. You can mail Form W-7 with your tax return and original passport directly to the IRS for $0 in government fees. The catch is that your original passport sits at the IRS for 7-11 weeks, and a formatting error restarts the wait. A paid agent removes both risks.

Complete Form W-7

Enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport, your foreign address, your country of citizenship, and the reason code that matches your situation. A wrong reason code is the most common cause of rejection.

Prepare Your Tax Return

Attach Form W-7 to the federal tax return that creates the need for an ITIN, usually Form 1040-NR. A standalone W-7 without a return is rejected unless a specific exception applies. Confirm your filing duty with a CPA.

Provide Identity Documents

Include your original passport or a copy certified by the issuing agency. The IRS accepts a passport as the one document proving both identity and foreign status. Photocopies that are not certified are rejected.

Mail to the IRS and Wait

Mail the full package to the IRS ITIN processing address. Standard review takes 7-11 weeks. The IRS returns your passport and an ITIN assignment letter. No expedited IRS option exists for ITINs.

The free path works, but mailing an original passport overseas for two-plus months is a real cost. A Certifying Acceptance Agent for $50-$275 lets you keep your passport. ein.so handles the full package for $197-$297. Compare this with the faster EIN cost if a business ID is all you need.

Timing

How Long Does an ITIN Take and Does Speed Cost Extra?

The IRS processes ITIN applications in 7-11 weeks, and no expedited IRS option exists. Paying more does not speed up IRS review. ein.so express ($297) speeds up document preparation and submission, not the IRS clock. An EIN is far faster at 4-7 business days through ein.so.

Service	Cost	Prep speed	IRS review
ein.so ITIN standard	$197	Standard	7-11 weeks
ein.so ITIN express	$297	Faster prep	7-11 weeks
ein.so EIN standard	$49	Standard	4-7 business days
ein.so EIN express	$97	Faster prep	2-3 business days

The ITIN timeline is set by the IRS, not by your provider. Express service reduces the days before your package reaches the IRS, which matters when you are close to a tax deadline. If you need a business ID quickly, see EIN processing time. The EIN fax method to 855-215-1627 returns most EINs within 4-7 business days.

Which One

Do You Need an ITIN or an EIN?

You need an EIN to run a US business and an ITIN to file a personal US tax return without an SSN. They are not interchangeable. Most non-resident LLC owners need only an EIN. An ITIN becomes relevant when you personally owe a US filing and lack an SSN.

Choose based on your goal

Forming a US LLC? You need an EIN, not an ITIN. Use the EIN without SSN method.
Opening a US bank account for your LLC? The EIN does this. See EIN for a bank account.
Filing a personal US tax return with no SSN? You need an ITIN via Form W-7.
Foreign-owned single-member LLC? You file Form 5472 plus a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The penalty for not filing is $25,000.
Most non-residents start with an EIN and add an ITIN only if a personal filing requires it.

ein.so files Form SS-4 to get EINs for non-US residents for $49 standard or $97 express. The EIN process uses your passport number on Line 7b, so no SSN or ITIN is needed first. ein.so also offers an ITIN service for $197 standard or $297 express when a personal US filing requires one.

Watch your annual compliance

A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 every year.
The penalty for failing to file Form 5472 is $25,000.
Most US LLCs must also file a BOI report. Review the BOI filing rules.
ein.so does not provide tax advice. Confirm your filing duties with a CPA.

Next Steps

Your Next Steps for an ITIN or EIN

Decide which ID you need — most non-residents need an EIN, not an ITIN
Get your EIN without an SSN — ein.so files Form SS-4 using your passport number for $49
Open a US bank account — connect your EIN at EIN for a bank account
File your BOI report — required for most LLCs, free at fincen.gov/boi via BOI filing
File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty), see Form 5472 guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an ITIN cost in 2026?

The IRS charges $0 for an ITIN. The application itself is free. Costs come from third-party help: a Certifying Acceptance Agent charges $50-$275, and a tax preparer charges $150-$500 for Form W-7 plus a tax return. ein.so handles the full ITIN process for $197 standard or $297 express.

Is there a government fee for an ITIN?

No. The IRS charges $0 to issue an ITIN. Form W-7 carries no filing fee. Every cost you see comes from a private service, a Certifying Acceptance Agent, or a tax preparer. You can mail Form W-7 directly to the IRS yourself and pay nothing in government fees.

Why does an ITIN cost more than an EIN?

An ITIN requires Form W-7, a valid tax return, and certified identity documents. An EIN requires only Form SS-4. ein.so charges $197-$297 for an ITIN and $49-$97 for an EIN because the ITIN process involves more steps, document certification, and a longer IRS review of 7-11 weeks.

Can I get an ITIN for free?

Yes. Mail Form W-7 directly to the IRS with your tax return and original passport, and the government fee is $0. The cost is your original passport sitting at the IRS for 7-11 weeks. A Certifying Acceptance Agent or ein.so charges a fee so you keep your passport.

What does the ein.so ITIN service include?

ein.so prepares Form W-7, assists with the attached tax return, reviews your identity documents, submits the package to the IRS, tracks the application, and notifies you when the ITIN arrives. Standard service costs $197 and express costs $297. ein.so does not provide tax advice.

Do I need an ITIN if I already have an EIN?

No, they serve different purposes. An EIN identifies a business and is free in 4-7 days. An ITIN identifies an individual person who must file a US tax return but has no SSN. Many non-residents need only an EIN for their LLC. Confirm your situation with a CPA.

What is the cheapest way to get an ITIN?

Mailing Form W-7 and your tax return directly to the IRS yourself is the cheapest path at $0 government cost. The trade-off is mailing your original passport to the IRS for 7-11 weeks. A Certifying Acceptance Agent costs $50-$275 but lets you keep your passport.

How long does an ITIN take and does speed cost more?

The IRS processes ITIN applications in 7-11 weeks regardless of who files them. No expedited IRS option exists for ITINs. ein.so express ($297) speeds up document preparation and submission, not IRS review. EIN processing is far faster at 4-7 business days for $49.

Does an ITIN cost include filing my tax return?

Form W-7 must be attached to a federal tax return in most cases. A standalone ITIN request without a return is usually rejected. Tax preparers charge $150-$500 because they prepare the return too. ein.so assists with the W-7 and return. Confirm your tax filing duties with a CPA.

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