IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent in Canada

Who this is for

Need an ITIN for a U.S. tax return

Need to renew an expired ITIN

Non-U.S. spouse or dependent needs an ITIN

Need help with Form W-7 from Canada

What is a Certifying Acceptance Agent?

A Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) is an individual or an entity who is authorized by the IRS to assist alien individuals and other foreign persons in obtaining Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) from the IRS.

A CAA can authenticate most supporting documents (except for foreign military ID cards) for individuals and for dependents. A person acting in its capacity as a CAA does not act as an agent of the IRS and is not authorized to hold itself out as an agent.

Why work with a CAA?

An IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent can help eligible applicants complete Form W-7, review supporting identification documents, submit the ITIN application package to the IRS, and assist if issues come up during processing. That gives clients a clearer path than trying to piece everything together alone.

How it works

1. We review your situation and confirm whether an ITIN application or renewal is needed.

2. We help gather the required documents and prepare Form W-7.

3. We review what can be authenticated through the CAA process and explain any documents that must still go directly to the IRS.

4. We submit the application package and monitor for follow-up issues.

5. We help you move forward once the IRS responds.

If you need an ITIN for a U.S. tax filing but do not qualify for a Social Security Number, working with an IRS-approved Certifying Acceptance Agent can make the process more manageable. We help eligible applicants with Form W-7, document review, filing support, and follow-up so the process is handled properly from the start.

Important note for dependents

For dependents, CAA authentication rules are narrower. Passports and civil birth certificates can be authenticated, but other dependent documents generally must be sent to the IRS as originals or certified copies from the issuing agency.

Helping You

You need an ITIN. We are approved to help guide that process properly.

Remote Services Available across Canada

Frequently asked questions

What a Certifying Acceptance Agent does

An IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent is a person or business approved by the IRS to help eligible applicants obtain an ITIN. A CAA can help complete Form W-7, authenticate most supporting documents, return authenticated documents after review, send the ITIN application package to the IRS, help resolve application issues, and receive copies of client ITIN notices. For dependents, the document-authentication rules are narrower.

Can you help with Form W-7?

We can help you prepare and review Form W-7, explain the supporting-document requirements, and guide you through the ITIN application process. Under IRS rules, a CAA can also authenticate most supporting documents and submit the application package to the IRS for processing.

Who needs an ITIN?

You may need an ITIN if you have a U.S. federal tax purpose but are not eligible for a Social Security number. That can include certain resident or nonresident aliens, spouses, and dependents who need to be listed for an allowable tax benefit or who file their own U.S. tax return. An ITIN is for federal tax purposes only. It does not authorize work in the United States, change immigration status, or qualify someone for Social Security benefits.

Do I need to mail my original passport?

Not always. If you apply by mail, the IRS accepts original documents or certified copies from the issuing agency. But if you apply through a CAA or an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center with ITIN services, most documents can be authenticated and returned after review. If original documents are mailed to the IRS, the IRS says they will be returned to the address on your Form W-7, generally within 60 days

Can I apply with Form W-7 from Canada?

Yes. The IRS allows ITIN applications from outside the United States by mail, and applicants can also apply through a Certifying Acceptance Agent in the U.S. or abroad. If you use a CAA, most supporting documents can be authenticated and returned after review instead of being mailed away.

Can you help with dependent ITIN applications?

Yes, but the rules are stricter for dependents. A CAA can authenticate a dependent’s passport and birth certificate, but other dependent documents generally must be sent to the IRS as originals or certified copies from the issuing agency. Also, each person applying for an ITIN must have a separate Form W-7, and spouses or dependents generally must either be claimed for an allowable tax benefit or file their own return to qualify.

Can you help with ITIN renewals?

Form W-7 is used both to apply for a new ITIN and to renew an existing one. Under the current IRS instructions, if an ITIN was not included on at least one U.S. federal tax return for the last 3 consecutive tax years, it expires on December 31 of the third consecutive tax year and must be renewed before it is used again on a U.S. federal tax return.

How long does the ITIN process take?

The IRS says to allow about 7 weeks for ITIN processing, or 9 to 11 weeks if the application is submitted during peak season, from January 15 through April 30, or from outside the United States. The IRS’s ITIN documentation FAQ also says Form W-7 applications are currently being processed within 11 weeks after receipt.