IRS ITIN Status Delays Grow as Filing Season Traffic Surges
Millions of taxpayers are checking their ITIN status as the 2025 tax filing season reaches peak activity. Heavy demand on Internal Revenue Service phone lines and online resources is slowing updates for many applicants waiting on ITIN applications tied to federal income tax returns.
The Internal Revenue Service is experiencing increased demand from taxpayers trying to confirm the status of Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers during the busiest weeks of the filing season. Applicants who submitted a Form W-7 with a federal income tax return often must wait several weeks before receiving updates about their ITIN application.
The surge reflects the scale of the annual filing period. The IRS processes more than 160 million tax return filings each year, most submitted electronically using Form 1040. While many taxpayers use a Social Security number to file, others must rely on Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers for federal tax purposes.
When a federal tax return is filed together with an application for an IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, the agency pauses tax processing until the ITIN is issued. This means a federal refund cannot be released until the ITIN application has been approved and linked to the return.
The Internal Revenue Service issues Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers for taxpayers who must comply with federal income tax rules but cannot obtain a Social Security number from the Social Security Administration.
A Taxpayer Identification Number is required to file a federal tax return, claim tax credits, and meet federal tax purposes under U.S. law. Many applicants include a foreign national required to file U.S. income tax, a resident alien who does not qualify for a Social Security number, or dependents of U.S. citizens listed on a federal income tax return.
International students, including many J-1 students, also apply for Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers when filing Form 1040-NR or reporting taxable income in the United States. Some undocumented immigrants and undocumented residents use ITINs to comply with federal income tax obligations as well.
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number allows taxpayers to file an income tax return, report income, and claim eligible tax credits, such as the Child Tax Credit or the Credit for Other Dependents.
However, the number does not authorize employment in the United States and does not affect a person’s immigration status. The Internal Revenue Service and the Department of the Treasury use ITINs strictly for tax administration and tax processing.
Applications for Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers rise sharply between January and April as taxpayers prepare a federal income tax return. Many first-time filers submit the W-7 application form together with their tax return during this period.
Some taxpayers also discover their number has expired while preparing their federal tax return. Under IRS rules, ITINs that have not appeared on a tax return for 3 consecutive years may expire, requiring renewal before the return can be processed.
Families claiming tax credits may also need an ITIN for a spouse or dependent before filing Form 1040. In some cases, taxpayers applying for refundable credits, such as the Child Tax Credit, must obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number before filing a federal income tax return.
The application process begins when taxpayers complete Form W-7, the Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. The form must generally be submitted together with a federal tax return unless the applicant qualifies for an exception.
Applicants must include supporting documentation that verifies both identity and foreign status. The Internal Revenue Service requires original documentation or certified copies issued by the issuing agency responsible for the document.
A passport can satisfy both identity and foreign status requirements. If supporting documentation is incomplete, the IRS may issue an ITIN rejection and request additional documents before continuing the application process.
Under typical conditions, the IRS instructs applicants to wait about seven weeks before asking about application tracking or ITIN status. During peak filing season, the timeframe often stretches to nine to eleven weeks because of heavy call volume and processing backlogs.
Until the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number is issued, the IRS places the associated federal tax return on hold. The agency resumes tax processing only after the ITIN is assigned and added to the taxpayer’s record.
Taxpayers waiting for updates on an ITIN application can take several steps to reduce delays or avoid documentation problems.
Working with Certified Acceptance Agent professionals or other Certifying Acceptance Agents is one option. These authorized tax professionals review identity documents and submit the W-7 application form on behalf of the applicant, helping reduce errors that can lead to an ITIN rejection.
Another option is visiting a Taxpayer Assistance Center that provides ITIN services. These centers allow applicants to present original documentation in person rather than mailing sensitive identity documents.
Applicants should also confirm that their federal income tax return and Form W-7 were mailed correctly and that all required supporting documentation is included. Waiting for the full processing window before calling the IRS can reduce unnecessary call volume during peak filing season.
As the filing season progresses, ITIN processing remains a key part of the federal tax system. Millions of taxpayers rely on Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers each year to file a federal income tax return and meet federal tax purposes.
Taxpayers who need to check their ITIN status or resolve issues with an ITIN application should review official guidance from the Internal Revenue Service and contact the agency directly if expected processing timelines have passed.
By William Mc Lee, Editor-in-Chief & Tax Expert—Get Tax Relief Now