Quick Answer
An ITIN can be free. The IRS charges $0 for Form W-7 — applying directly through the IRS costs nothing. Total cost runs from $0 (self-mail, an IRS office, or a VITA/nonprofit Certifying Acceptance Agent) up to about $275 or more if you pay a commercial CAA or tax preparer to keep your passport and file it for you.
How Much Does It Cost to Get an ITIN?
An ITIN can cost nothing. The IRS charges $0 for Form W-7, the application itself, so the IRS never bills you. Total cost runs from $0 on a free route to about $275 or more if you hire a commercial Certifying Acceptance Agent or tax preparer. The price depends entirely on which route you choose.
Every fee you might pay goes to a third party — a tax preparer or a Certifying Acceptance Agent — not the government. The IRS itself never charges to issue an ITIN. The IRS describes the form and its purpose on its About Form W-7 page. The rest of this guide breaks down each route. For the full process, see how to apply for an ITIN.
Is the IRS Form W-7 Free?
Yes. There is no IRS filing fee for Form W-7, the Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. The IRS accepts and processes your W-7 at no charge whether you mail it, submit it at an IRS office, or hand it to a Certifying Acceptance Agent. Any money you spend goes to a third party, never to the IRS.
So when you see a company advertising "ITIN for $99," none of that fee reaches the government — it pays for that company's service. The form is free to file on your own; the cost is optional and depends on whether you want help or want to keep your passport. Plenty of people complete and mail Form W-7 themselves for $0.
How Can You Get an ITIN for Free?
Three routes cost $0: self-prepare and mail Form W-7 with your tax return, apply in person at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center, or use a VITA or nonprofit Certifying Acceptance Agent. All three reach the same ITIN without any fee, and the two in-person options let you avoid mailing your original passport to the IRS.
- Self-mail. Fill out Form W-7 yourself, attach your federal tax return, and mail it with your original passport or a certified copy. Cost: $0, but you part with your passport for several weeks.
- IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC). Book a free appointment; staff verify your documents in person so you keep your originals. Cost: $0.
- VITA or nonprofit CAA. Many Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites and community organizations are Certifying Acceptance Agents and help at no charge. Cost: $0.
If you also need to file taxes, pairing the W-7 with a free filing tool keeps the whole thing at $0 — see the best free tax software for ITIN filers.
How Much Do CAAs and Tax Preparers Charge for an ITIN?
Commercial Certifying Acceptance Agents and tax preparers commonly charge about $50 to $275 or more for an ITIN, with the exact fee set by each provider. The fee pays for in-person document verification — so you keep your original passport — plus help preparing and submitting Form W-7. The IRS portion of the cost is still $0.
| Route | IRS fee | Service fee | Keep passport? | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-mail W-7 with return | $0 | $0 | No | Slowest — mail both ways |
| IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center | $0 | $0 | Yes | Appointment-dependent |
| VITA / nonprofit CAA | $0 | $0 | Yes | Seasonal availability |
| Commercial CAA / preparer | $0 | ~$50–$275+ | Yes | Often fastest, most hands-on |
Fees vary widely, so ask for the total in writing before you commit, and confirm whether tax-return preparation is included or billed separately. Some preparers bundle the W-7 with your return; others price them apart.
Does It Cost Anything to Renew an ITIN?
No. Renewing an ITIN through the IRS is free — there is no IRS fee to file a renewal Form W-7. Just like a new application, the only money you might spend goes to a commercial Certifying Acceptance Agent or tax preparer if you choose to use one. Renew it yourself by mail or at an IRS office for $0.
An ITIN expires if you don't use it on a federal tax return for three consecutive years, and a renewal follows the same W-7 process as a first-time application. For the steps and timing, see how to renew an ITIN.
Why Pay a CAA if Applying Is Free?
The main reason is your passport. A Certifying Acceptance Agent verifies your identity documents in person, so you keep your original passport instead of mailing it to the IRS for weeks. You also pay for expert help filing Form W-7 correctly, which lowers the chance of a rejection that delays your ITIN.
For many people, not surrendering a passport — often their only government ID — is worth the fee. A CAA authenticates the document on the spot and submits a certificate of accuracy to the IRS in your place. For how that mechanic works and how to find a legitimate agent, see our guide to the ITIN Certifying Acceptance Agent.
What's the Cheapest Safe Way to Get an ITIN?
The cheapest safe route is an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center or a VITA/nonprofit Certifying Acceptance Agent: both cost $0 and let you keep your original passport through in-person verification. Self-mailing is also free but requires sending your passport. Paying a commercial CAA, about $50 to $275 or more, mainly buys speed and convenience.
In short, the tradeoff is money versus your passport. If a free in-person appointment fits your schedule, you keep both your $0 and your documents. If you need it handled fast or can't reach a free site, a paid CAA is a reasonable choice — just confirm the total fee and that the agent is IRS-authorized before you pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it free to apply for an ITIN?
Yes, it can be. The IRS charges no fee for Form W-7, so if you self-prepare and mail your application with your tax return, apply at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center, or use a VITA or nonprofit Certifying Acceptance Agent, your ITIN costs $0.
Does the IRS charge a fee for Form W-7?
No. There is no IRS filing fee for Form W-7, the Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. The IRS processes the application for free. Any cost you pay goes to a third party such as a Certifying Acceptance Agent or tax preparer, not to the IRS.
Why do CAAs charge money?
Commercial Certifying Acceptance Agents charge a service fee, commonly about $50 to $275 or more, because they verify your identity documents in person. That lets you keep your original passport instead of mailing it to the IRS. You also pay for their help preparing and submitting the W-7 correctly.
How much does it cost to renew an ITIN?
Renewing an ITIN through the IRS is free. There is no IRS fee to file a renewal Form W-7. As with a new application, you only pay if you choose to use a commercial Certifying Acceptance Agent or tax preparer to handle the renewal for you.
Are there free ITIN services near me?
Often, yes. Many VITA sites and nonprofit organizations operate as Certifying Acceptance Agents and help with the W-7 at no charge. You can also book a free appointment at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center, where staff verify your documents so you keep your originals at $0.
Is paying a preparer for an ITIN worth it?
It can be. Paying a Certifying Acceptance Agent, commonly $50 to $275 or more, mainly buys two things: you keep your original passport through in-person authentication, and an expert files the W-7 correctly. If neither matters to you, a free route reaches the same ITIN for $0.