Select language

Form W-12 Instructions

Instructions for Form W-12, IRS Paid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) Application and Renewal

Rev. October 2023

Related Forms

  • Form W-12 - IRS Paid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) Application and Renewal
Details
File Format PDF
Size 117.6 KB
Download
Instructions for Form W-12  
(Revised May 2021)  
IRS Paid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) Application and Renewal  
Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code unless  
General Instructions  
otherwise noted.  
Purpose Of Form  
Future Developments  
Use this form to apply for or renew a PTIN.  
For the latest information about developments related to Form  
W-12 and its separate instructions, such as legislation enacted  
Use and Availability of Information on  
after they were published, go to IRS.gov/FormW12.  
This Form  
What's New  
The Freedom of Information Act requires that certain information  
from this application be made available to the general public. This  
includes, but may not be limited to, the following information.  
New mailing address. The address for submitting your  
application by mail has changed. See How To File, later.  
Name.  
Fee Required. A fee is now required to apply for or renew a  
PTIN. See the instructions for Line 13, later.  
Business Name.  
Business Address.  
Business Phone Number.  
Business Website Address.  
Professional Credentials.  
Reminders  
SSN question. If you did not have an SSN when you initially  
obtained a PTIN, you must now provide information on whether  
you have received an SSN. See the instructions for Line 3, later.  
Voluntary Inactivating/Reactivating PTIN. An individual who no  
longer prepares any federal tax returns for compensation may  
request his or her PTIN be placed in inactive status at any time.  
For more information on voluntarily inactivating or reactivating  
your PTIN, see Voluntarily Inactivate PTIN, later, or review  
information available at IRS.gov/PTIN.  
Who Must File  
Anyone who is a paid tax return preparer must apply for and  
receive a PTIN. EAs also must obtain a PTIN. The PTIN must be  
renewed annually. For purposes of determining who must obtain  
a PTIN, a tax return preparer is any individual who is  
compensated for preparing, or assisting in the preparation of, all  
or substantially all of a tax return or claim for refund of tax.  
Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials  
and Select Qualifications. The IRS has a public listing on the  
IRS website of PTIN holders who are attorneys, CPAs, EAs,  
enrolled retirement plan agents, and enrolled actuaries, as well as  
individuals who successfully completed the requirements to  
participate in the Annual Filing Season Program. The searchable  
listing includes the individual's name, city, state, and zip code.  
The city and state of the business address you enter on line 5a of  
this form will be the address reflected in the online Directory of  
Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select  
Qualifications if you meet the qualifications for inclusion. If you  
have more than one business location, enter your primary  
business location address. See the Line 12 instructions for the  
definitions of professional credentials and select qualifications,  
later.  
How To File  
Online. Go to the webpage IRS.gov/PTIN for information. Follow  
the instructions to submit Form W-12. If you submit your  
application and payment online, your PTIN generally will be  
provided to you immediately after you complete the application.  
By mail. Complete Form W-12. Send the form and payment to:  
IRS Tax Professional PTIN Processing Center  
PO Box 380638  
San Antonio, TX 78268  
Note. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for processing of PTIN applications.  
Specific Instructions  
Telephone help. If you have questions about completing this  
form or the status of your application or renewal, you may call the  
following phone numbers. If calling from the United States, call  
1-877-613-PTIN (7846). For TTY/TDD assistance, call  
1-877-613-3686. If calling internationally, call +1 915-342-5655  
(not a toll-free number). Telephone help generally is available  
Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central time.  
It is important to follow these instructions. If your application is  
incomplete, the IRS will request that you supply the missing  
information within a specified time. The IRS will be unable to  
process your application if you do not provide the missing  
information.  
Line 1. Enter your legal name. This entry should reflect your  
name as it appears on your tax return and as it will be entered on  
tax returns that you are paid to prepare. If you are renewing your  
PTIN, enter the PTIN you received after you first filed Form W-12.  
Photographs of Missing Children  
The IRS is a proud partner with the National Center for Missing  
and Exploited Children. Photographs of missing children selected  
by the Center may appear in instructions on pages that would  
otherwise be blank. You can help bring these children home by  
looking at the photographs and calling 1-800-THE-LOST  
(1-800-843-5678) if you recognize a child.  
Voluntarily Inactivate PTIN. An individual who does not expect  
to prepare federal tax returns for compensation for a  
full calendar year may request to be placed in an inactive status.  
You can inactivate your PTIN by accessing your online PTIN  
account at IRS.gov/PTIN and selecting the Inactivate  
PTIN function under the Manage My PTIN Account section. You  
can reactivate your PTIN within 3 years by selecting the  
Reactivate PTIN function in your online PTIN account.  
Catalog Number 59933W  
Line 2 of Form 8946 must contain a non-U.S. physical  
address. This address cannot be a P.O. box. If a P.O. box is  
listed on line 2a of the Form 8946, your application will be  
rejected and returned to you.  
If you do not have an online account, you may call the number  
listed under the Telephone help, earlier, for additional assistance.  
!
EAs must maintain a current PTIN in order to maintain their  
EA credential and should not inactivate their PTIN unless they  
retire.  
CAUTION  
TIP  
You must also enter your SSN if you have been assigned one  
since obtaining your PTIN. If you still do not have an SSN, check  
the box.  
Line 2. If you are applying for a new PTIN after October 1, you  
must indicate whether you want your PTIN to be valid for  
the current calendar year or the next calendar year. If you select  
the current calendar year, your PTIN is valid until  
December 31 of the current year. If you select the next calendar  
year, your PTIN will not be valid until January 1 of the next  
calendar year.  
Line 4. Enter your complete personal mailing address and phone  
number.  
If you obtained your PTIN using Form 8946 and you still do not  
have a SSN, your address must be outside the U.S.  
If the U.S. Postal Service will not deliver mail to your physical  
location, enter the U.S. Postal Service post office box number  
for your mailing address. Contact your local U.S. Post Office  
TIP  
Note. If you do not select a calendar year, then your PTIN  
for more information. Do not use a post office box owned by  
application will be processed for the current calendar year.  
a private firm or company. Most PTIN correspondence will be sent to your  
email address. However, any paper PTIN correspondence will be sent to  
the personal mailing address listed on line 4.  
Prior-Year Renewals. If you checked the “Renewal  
application” box in line 1 and need to renew for a prior calendar  
year, you must indicate this by entering the year (YYYY format) in  
the “Prior year” box and listing each prior calendar year in the  
space(s) provided. Complete a single Form W-12 for multiple  
calendar years, for which you are applying for a prior-year PTIN.  
Line 5a. Enter your business address if it is different from the  
address entered on line 4. Entering the business phone number is  
optional.  
If you obtained your PTIN using Form 8946 and you still do not  
have a SSN, your address must be outside the U.S.  
If your PTIN has been in an expired status for more than 1 full  
calendar year, you must renew for each previously expired year  
unless you were inactive during any one of those calendar years.  
Note. The business address listed on line 5a will be reflected in  
the online Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with  
Credentials and Select Qualifications if you meet the  
qualifications for inclusion. If you have more than one business  
location, enter your primary business location address.  
If you were inactive during any one of those prior calendar  
years but did not place your PTIN into voluntary inactive status,  
you can retroactively do so by following the instructions under  
Voluntarily Inactivate PTIN, earlier.  
Line 5b. If you are self-employed or an owner, partner, or officer  
of a tax return preparation business, enter your applicable  
identification numbers. Make sure to enter any letters that are part  
of your Centralized Authorization File (CAF) number. If you have  
multiple Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) or Electronic  
Filer Identification Numbers (EFINs), enter the number that is  
used most frequently on returns you prepare. Entering the  
business website address is optional.  
If your PTIN has been inactive or expired for more than 3  
consecutive years, you must submit a new registration  
application to obtain an active PTIN.  
!
CAUTION  
Line 3. Enter your social security number (SSN) and date of birth.  
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age to apply.  
Applying without an SSN. If you do not have an SSN  
because you are either a U.S. citizen who is a conscientious  
religious objector or a foreign individual, you will need to complete  
and submit additional information either online or by mail in order  
to obtain a PTIN.  
Line 6. Enter the email address we should use if we need to  
contact you about matters regarding this form.  
We will also send PTIN related emails with general information,  
reminders, and requirements. Any valid email address that you  
check regularly for PTIN communications is acceptable.  
U.S. citizen who is a conscientious religious objector. If  
you are a U.S. citizen who does not have an SSN because you  
have a conscientious religious objection to having an SSN, you  
must complete an additional form as part of the PTIN application  
process. The form you must complete is Form 8945, PTIN  
Supplemental Application For U.S. Citizens Without a Social  
Security Number Due To Conscientious Religious Objection. On  
Form 8945, you will verify information about your identity,  
citizenship, and conscientious religious objection. See Form 8945  
for instructions on completing and submitting the form and the  
required documents.  
Line 7. You must check Yes or No. You are required to fully  
disclose any information concerning prior felony convictions. A  
felony conviction may not necessarily disqualify you from having a  
PTIN. However, generally, an individual who is currently  
incarcerated for any felony conviction will not be permitted to  
obtain or renew a PTIN.  
Use the space in line 7 to provide details of your prior felony  
conviction(s). All facts and circumstances will be considered. You  
will be contacted if additional information is needed.  
Foreign persons. If you are a foreign person who does not  
have an SSN, you must provide additional identity proofing  
documents as part of the PTIN application process. A foreign  
person is an individual who does not have and is not eligible to  
obtain an SSN and is neither a citizen of the United States nor a  
resident alien of the United States as defined in section 7701(b)  
(1)(A). You can apply online or complete Form 8946, PTIN  
Supplemental Application For Foreign Persons Without a Social  
Security Number. On Form 8946, you will verify information about  
your foreign status and identity. See Form 8946 for instructions  
on completing and submitting the form and the required  
documents.  
Providing false or misleading information on this form is a  
criminal offense that may result in prosecution and criminal  
penalties.  
!
CAUTION  
Line 8. If you have an SSN and are requesting a PTIN but have  
never filed a U.S. income tax return, see below for additional  
requirements.  
Never filed a U.S. tax return. If you have an SSN and are  
applying for a PTIN and any of the statements below apply to  
your current U.S. situation, then you must submit a paper PTIN  
application along with two identity verification documents. See  
-2-  
Required Supporting ID Documentation below. When submitting  
supporting ID documentation, you can either submit online or by  
mail. You must submit an original, certified, or notarized copy of  
your social security card along with an original, certified, or  
notarized copy of one other government-issued document that  
contains a current photo ID.  
Line 9. If you filed your most recent individual income tax return  
more than 4 years ago, see the line 8 instructions above for  
information on how to submit Form W-12 and the supporting  
identification documents that must accompany your submission.  
Line 10. You must check Yes or No. Taxpayers are required to  
be in full compliance with federal tax laws, including filing all  
returns and paying all taxes, or making payment arrangements  
acceptable to the IRS. The filing of a tax return and the payment  
of the tax liability associated with that return are two separate and  
distinct requirements under the Internal Revenue Code, which  
must be satisfied within the periods specified for each taxable  
period in which you have a legal obligation to file.  
1. You have never filed a U.S. income tax return.  
2. You have not filed a U.S. income tax return in the past 4 years.  
3. You do not have a U.S. income tax filing requirement (such as  
certain individuals from Puerto Rico).  
Required Supporting ID Documentation. You can either  
submit supporting ID documentation online or by mail.  
Use this space in line 10 to provide the details of any  
noncompliance, including the steps you have taken to resolve the  
issue. Providing false or misleading information on this form is a  
criminal offense that may result in prosecution and criminal  
penalties. In addition, providing false or misleading information is  
a separate ground to deny your application for a PTIN or  
terminate it after it has been assigned. All the facts and  
circumstances as related in your explanation will be considered.  
You will be contacted if additional information is needed.  
Online uploads. To submit supporting ID documents online,  
follow the online prompts to upload certified or notarized copies of  
acceptable documentation.  
Submitting paper Form W-12 and supporting documents.  
Documents must be original, certified, or notarized. One  
document must be government-issued and contain a current  
photo ID. Examples of acceptable supporting documents are  
listed below. All documents must be current (not expired), and  
must verify your name. If you submit copies of documents that  
display information on both sides, copies of both the front and  
back of the document(s) must be submitted either online or by  
mail.  
If you have never filed a U.S. individual income tax return  
because you were not required to do so, check the “Yes” box.  
Line 11. Check the box to confirm awareness of your  
responsibility to protect taxpayer information.  
Examples of acceptable supporting documents.  
Passport/Passport Card.  
Additional Resources:  
Pub. 4557, Safeguarding Taxpayer Data  
Pub. 5417, Basic Security Plan  
Driver's License.  
U.S. State ID Card.  
Military ID Card.  
IRS.gov, keyword: Protect Your Clients Protect Yourself  
National ID Card.  
Note. Enrolled Agents who do not prepare returns may skip  
line 11.  
To avoid any loss of your original documents, it is suggested  
you do not submit the original documents.  
Line 12. Check the appropriate boxes to indicate your  
professional credentials. Check all boxes that apply. Do not  
check any professional credentials that are currently expired or  
retired. Retired or expired credentials are those that are not valid  
or active at the time of the application. Include the licensing  
number, jurisdiction, and expiration date. If the expiration date is  
left blank or incomplete, that specific credential will not be added  
during the processing of your application. Select only from the  
professional credentials listed below. There is no write-in option. If  
you do not have any professional credentials, check the “None”  
box.  
TIP  
Note. See Form 8946 and instructions for information  
regarding certification/notarization of foreign documents.  
A certified copy is a document that the original issuing agency  
provides and certifies as an exact copy of the original  
document and contains an official seal from the issuing agency.  
Certified documents have a stamp and/or an ink seal (may or may  
not be raised). All certifications must stay attached to the copies  
of the documents when they are sent to the IRS.  
A notarized copy is one that has been notarized by a U.S.  
notary public, U.S. government military officer (JAG Officer), U.S.  
State Department, U.S. Consul/Embassy Employee, or by a  
notary legally authorized within his or her local jurisdiction to  
certify that each document is a true copy of the original. To do  
this, the notary must see the valid, unaltered, original documents  
and the copies must bear the mark (stamp, signature, etc.) of the  
notary. Notarized documents may or may not have a signature  
but will have a stamp and usually a raised seal.  
Recognized professional credentials include the following.  
Attorney. An attorney is any individual who is licensed to  
practice law by the bar of the highest court of any state, territory,  
or possession of the United States, including a commonwealth, or  
the District of Columbia.  
Certified Public Accountant (CPA). A CPA is any individual  
who is duly qualified to practice as a CPA in any state, territory, or  
possession of the United States, including a commonwealth, or  
the District of Columbia.  
If submitting Form 8945 or Form 8946 with the Form W-12,  
refer to those form instructions for required documentation.  
Enrolled Agent (EA). An EA is any individual enrolled as an  
agent who is not currently under suspension or disbarment from  
practice before the IRS. EAs are licensed by the IRS.  
!
CAUTION  
Where to send the completed PTIN application. Send the  
completed Form W-12 with the required documentation and  
payment to the mailing address listed under How To File, earlier.  
If your application is not complete and you do not supply the  
required information upon request, the IRS will be unable to  
process your application.  
Enrolled Actuary. An enrolled actuary is any individual who is  
enrolled as an actuary by the Joint Board for the Enrollment of  
Actuaries.  
-3-  
Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent (ERPA). An ERPA is any  
Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Notice. We ask for  
individual enrolled as a retirement plan agent who is not currently the information on this form to carry out the Internal Revenue  
under suspension or disbarment from practice before the IRS.  
laws of the United States. This information will be used to issue a  
Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). Our authority to  
collect this information is found in section 3710 of the Internal  
Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 and  
Internal Revenue Code section 6109. Under section 6109, tax  
return preparers are required to provide their identification  
numbers on what they prepare. Applying for a PTIN is mandatory  
if you prepare U.S. tax returns for compensation. Providing  
incomplete information may delay or prevent processing of this  
application; providing false or fraudulent information may subject  
you to penalties.  
State Regulated Tax Return Preparer. A state regulated tax  
return preparer is any individual who remains current with certain  
state-based tax return preparer programs. Tax return preparers  
who are registered with the following will fall into this category.  
Oregon Board of Tax Practitioners.  
California Tax Education Council.  
Maryland State Board of Individual Tax Preparers.  
Note. The above list of participating state programs is subject to  
change. For the most up-to-date information on participating  
states, visit IRS.gov/PTIN.  
You are not required to provide the information requested on a  
form that is subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act unless the  
form displays a valid OMB control number. Books or records  
relating to a form or its instructions must be retained as long as  
their contents may become material in the administration of any  
Internal Revenue law. Generally, the information you provide on  
this form is confidential pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974, and  
tax returns and return information are confidential pursuant to  
Code section 6103. However, we are authorized to disclose this  
information to contractors to perform the contract, to the  
Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA). A CAA is an individual  
or entity (college, financial institution, accounting firm, etc.) that  
has entered into a formal agreement with the IRS that permits  
them to assist alien individuals and other foreign individuals with  
obtaining Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers. A CAA  
cannot verify documents in order for individuals to obtain a PTIN.  
CAAs should enter either their EFIN or the eight-digit office code  
assigned to them via the CAA application process.  
Department of Justice for civil and criminal litigation, and to cities,  
states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. commonwealths and  
possessions for use in their return preparer oversight activities  
and administration of their tax laws. We may also disclose this  
information to other countries under a tax treaty, to federal and  
state agencies to enforce federal nontax criminal laws, to federal  
law enforcement and intelligence agencies to combat terrorism, or  
to the general public to assist them in identifying those individuals  
authorized by the IRS to prepare tax returns or claims for refund.  
Note. Once you complete the requirements to participate in the  
Annual Filing Season Program, the IRS will add this to your PTIN  
account. See more information about the program listed under  
Reminders, earlier.  
Signature. The completed Form W-12 must be signed and dated  
by the applicant. Please use black or blue ink.  
Line 13. Payment of the application registration/renewal fee(s)  
must accompany this form or it will be rejected. PTIN  
Registration/Renewal Fees.  
The time needed to complete and file this form will vary  
depending on individual circumstances. The estimated burden for  
those who file this form is shown below.  
If you are applying for a PTIN in order to prepare federal tax  
returns beginning calendar year 2021, the registration/renewal  
fee is $35.95.  
Recordkeeping .  
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
1 hr.  
Learning about the law or the form  
Preparing and sending the form  
. 9 min.  
. 4 min.  
If you are registering or renewing a PTIN for 2020 or any other  
.
prior calendar year, there is no registration/renewal fee.  
PTIN fees are nonrefundable. A separate payment is required  
If you have comments concerning the accuracy of these time  
estimates or suggestions for making this form simpler, we would  
be happy to hear from you. You can send us comments from  
IRS.gov/FormComments. Or you can send your comments to the  
Internal Revenue Service, Tax Forms and Publications Division,  
1111 Constitution Ave. NW, IR-6526, Washington, DC 20224. Do  
not send Form W-12 to this address. Instead, see How To File,  
earlier.  
for each year that a fee is due.  
Make checks or money orders payable to “IRS Tax Pro PTIN  
Fee.”  
Do not paper clip, staple, or otherwise attach the payment to  
Form W-12.  
Remember to sign and date your check, and ensure the correct  
dollar amount is spelled out and matches the numerical amount  
!
of the check. If the check is not complete, the check will be  
voided and the application will be returned to you.  
CAUTION  
-4-