Source: ITIN Services documentation. Last synced from GitBook content.
Who ITIN Services is, how to verify our IRS Certified Acceptance Agent status, what CAA means, and what our approval examples show.
ITIN Services is operated by Helpayments LLC. We help non-U.S. residents prepare ITIN applications through an IRS Certified Acceptance Agent process.
Image reference: https://cdn.itinservices.com/docs/itin/irs-caa-hero-person.webp
Who we are
ITIN Services helps non-U.S. residents apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or ITIN, for U.S. tax filing, U.S.-source income reporting, spouse or dependent filing, U.S. LLC ownership, marketplace onboarding, investment income, and other valid tax purposes.
Our work is practical:
review the applicant's situation and ITIN reason;
review passport and supporting documents;
prepare Form W-7 and related application materials;
use the CAA process when passport verification is available;
mail the package to the IRS;
help with CP565 notice delivery and after-approval questions.
Our IRS CAA listing
We are publicly listed on IRS.gov as an Acceptance Agent / Certified Acceptance Agent through Helpayments LLC.
Image reference: https://cdn.itinservices.com/docs/itin/irs-caa-listing.png
Use the IRS link below to verify the listing directly:
You can also start from the general IRS Acceptance Agents page and search from there:
What CAA means
The official IRS term is Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA). Some customers may loosely say RCAA or RCCA, but the IRS credential customers should look for is CAA.
A CAA is authorized under the IRS Acceptance Agent Program to help verify identity documents for ITIN applications. The key difference is:
Type | Can submit ITIN applications | Can issue Certificate of Accuracy | Usually avoids mailing original passport |
Acceptance Agent (AA) | Yes | No | No |
Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
For most non-U.S. resident applicants, the practical value is simple: a CAA can verify the passport and prepare the CAA certification path, so the applicant usually does not need to mail the original passport to the IRS.
What the Certificate of Accuracy does
When a CAA verifies an eligible identity document, the CAA can prepare a Certificate of Accuracy. This tells the IRS that the CAA reviewed the original identity document and that the document information matches the ITIN application.
The Certificate of Accuracy does not make approval automatic. The ITIN application still needs a valid tax reason, correct Form W-7 information, and complete supporting documents.
Client approval examples
The image below shows examples of official ITIN approval notices, also known as CP565 notices, that have been issued for customers. Sensitive information is removed or hidden.
Image reference: https://cdn.itinservices.com/docs/itin/itin-approval-letters.png
These examples show real outcomes, but they are not a guarantee. The IRS makes the final decision on each application. Our role is to reduce avoidable problems: unclear passport images, mismatched names, wrong application reasons, missing supporting materials, and incomplete Form W-7 information.
What a normal CAA-supported application looks like
The applicant provides passport images, address information, contact details, and tax-purpose context.
We review the information and confirm the likely ITIN application reason and document path.
We prepare Form W-7 and the supporting package.
The CAA verification step is completed when applicable, and the package is mailed to the IRS.
After approval, the IRS issues the CP565 notice. We help with delivery and follow-up.
What this does not mean
CAA status does not mean the IRS will approve every application, and it does not make IRS processing instant. It means the identity-document verification and application package can be handled through an IRS-authorized CAA process.
For normal applications, IRS processing often takes several weeks after mailing. If the application is incomplete, the IRS may request more information, return the package, or reject the application.