Let’s get the elephant out of the room first: You cannot actually go to a website, click a "Renew Now" button, and finish your ITIN renewal in five minutes. If you’ve seen ads promising that, be careful. Honestly, the IRS is still very much a "paper and mail" organization when it comes to the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
But wait. There’s a "kinda" online way to do it.
While the IRS hasn't built a 100% digital portal for individuals to upload their passports and hit submit, the process has changed. In 2026, we’ve seen more movement toward digital workflows through Certifying Acceptance Agents (CAAs) who use the IRS e-Services system. You've got options that don't involve mailing your physical passport to a giant processing center in Austin, Texas, and hoping it comes back in one piece.
The "Online" Loophole: How it Actually Works
If you want to renew ITIN number online, you’re basically looking at a hybrid process. You aren't mailing the IRS; you’re connecting with a professional who has the digital keys to the IRS kingdom.
Here is how the modern "online" version looks:
You find a Certifying Acceptance Agent. These are people—often CPAs or specialized tax pros—authorized by the IRS to verify your identity. Many of them now offer video consultations. You hop on a Zoom or Microsoft Teams call, hold up your documents, and they verify you "in person" via the screen.
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They then fill out the Form W-7 (COA) electronically. They upload your data through the IRS's secure CAA Documentation Upload Tool. This is the closest you will ever get to a truly digital experience. It’s faster, safer, and you keep your passport in your drawer.
Why Your ITIN Is Probably Expired Anyway
The IRS is pretty ruthless with these numbers. They expire for two main reasons, and neither of them involves a friendly heads-up email.
- The Three-Year Rule: If you haven't put that ITIN on a federal tax return at least once in the last three years, it’s dead. For instance, if you didn't file in 2023, 2024, or 2025, your number likely expired on December 31, 2025.
- The Middle Digit Purge: The IRS phased out older ITINs based on the middle two digits (the 4th and 5th numbers). If your middle digits are 70–88, 90–92, or 94–99, you’ve been in the "must renew" category for a while.
It’s a hassle. I know. But if you try to file a return with an expired number, the IRS will process the return but they will "disallow" your exemptions and credits. That means your refund gets frozen or significantly shrunk.
Common Myths About Online Renewals
Don't fall for the "Instant ITIN" scams.
Some websites look official—lots of blue and red, maybe a bald eagle—but they are just third-party document preparers. They charge you $200 just to mail you a PDF that you still have to print and sign. That isn't renewing online; that's paying for a very expensive printer.
Another big one: "I can use my expired ITIN for a bank account, so it’s fine." Sorta. Banks might not notice right away, but the moment you need to file a 1040 or claim a treaty benefit, that expired status will hit you like a brick wall.
The Real Step-by-Step for 2026
If you're doing this yourself and skipping the CAA (which means you are mailing things), the path is specific.
- Grab the Latest W-7: Don't use a version from 2022. The IRS updates these forms. You need the one that has the "Renew an Existing ITIN" box in the top right corner.
- The "Reason" Section: You have to check a box (a through h) explaining why you need the ITIN. Most people check "a" for a non-resident alien filing a return or "c" for a resident alien.
- The Identity Proof: This is where it gets sticky. A passport is the "Gold Standard" because it proves both identity and foreign status. If you don't have a passport, you need at least two other documents, like a birth certificate and a foreign voter registration card.
- The Tax Return: Usually, you have to attach your federal tax return to the W-7. You can't just send the renewal form by itself unless you meet a very specific exception (like being a student on an F-1 visa with a scholarship).
Wait Times are Brutal
If you mail your documents today, expect to wait. The standard window is 7 to 11 weeks. If it’s tax season (January through April), double it.
This is why people are moving toward the CAA route. When an agent uploads your data digitally, the "paper-handling" time at the IRS office in Austin is cut down. It doesn't make the IRS agents work faster, but it eliminates the weeks your passport spends sitting in a mailroom.
Actionable Steps to Take Right Now
Stop wondering if your number is valid. Go look at your old tax returns.
Check the middle digits of your ITIN. If they fall in the ranges 70-88, 90-92, or 94-99, you need to act. If you haven't filed in three years, you need to act.
Find a Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) on the official IRS list. Filter by your country or state. Call them and ask specifically: "Do you offer remote verification for ITIN renewal?" This will save you from mailing your passport and living in anxiety for three months.
Gather your documents now. If your passport is expired, the IRS won't touch your application. Your supporting ID must be current. If you’ve changed your name because of marriage or a court order, you’ll need those original certificates too.
Start the process at least 12 weeks before you plan to file your taxes. Waiting until April 14th is a recipe for a delayed refund and a massive headache. If you're a spouse or dependent of a military member, check for special exceptions—you might have a smoother path through a military legal office.
Stay away from "instant" websites. Stick to the official IRS.gov resources or verified CAAs. The security of your personal data is worth more than a "fast" 24-hour promise that doesn't actually exist.