IRS ITIN Status Delays Grew as 2025 Filing Season Traffic Surged

Millions of taxpayers checked their ITIN status during the 2025 tax filing season as the annual rush to submit returns reached its peak between January and April. Heavy demand on Internal Revenue Service phone lines and online resources slowed updates for many applicants waiting on ITIN applications tied to federal income tax returns.

IRS Reported a Surge in ITIN Status Requests During the 2025 Filing Season

The Internal Revenue Service experienced 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 had to wait several weeks before receiving updates about their ITIN application.

The surge reflected 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 meant a federal refund could not be released until the ITIN application had been approved and linked to the return.

IRS Uses ITINs to Allow Non-SSN Taxpayers to File Returns

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.

Many Foreign Nationals and Dependents Use ITINs to File Taxes

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.

ITINs Help Taxpayers File but Do Not Change Immigration Status

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.

The 2025 Filing Season Brought a Wave of New and Renewing ITIN Applications

Applications for Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers rose sharply between January and April as taxpayers prepared federal income tax returns. Many first-time filers submitted the W-7 form along with their tax returns during this period.

Some taxpayers also discovered their number had expired while preparing their federal tax return. Under IRS rules, ITINs that have not appeared on a tax return for three consecutive years may expire, requiring renewal before the return can be processed.

Families claiming tax credits may also have needed 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.

IRS Processing Rules Delayed Refunds Until ITIN Was Approved

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.

Supporting Documentation Must Prove Identity and Foreign Status

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.

High Filing Volume Extended Processing Times for Many Applications

Under typical conditions, the IRS instructs applicants to wait about 7 weeks before checking on application tracking or ITIN status. During the peak filing season — defined by the IRS as January 15 through April 30 — the timeframe often stretched to 9 to 11 weeks due to heavy call volume and processing backlogs.

Until the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number was issued, the IRS placed the associated federal tax return on hold. The agency resumed tax processing only after the ITIN was assigned and added to the taxpayer's record.

IRS Advised Taxpayers to Use Certified Agents or Assistance Centers

Taxpayers waiting for updates on an ITIN application could take several steps to reduce delays or avoid documentation problems.

Working with Certified Acceptance Agent professionals or other certifying acceptance agents was one option. These authorized tax professionals reviewed identity documents and submitted the W-7 application form on behalf of the applicant, helping reduce errors that could lead to an ITIN rejection.

Another option was 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 were also advised to confirm that their federal income tax return and Form W-7 were mailed correctly and that all required supporting documentation was included. Waiting for the full processing window before calling the IRS helped reduce unnecessary call volume during peak filing season.

Taxpayers Monitored ITIN Status as Filing Deadlines Approached

As the 2025 filing season progressed, ITIN processing remained a key part of the federal tax system. Millions of taxpayers relied on Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers each year to file a federal income tax return and meet federal tax purposes.

Taxpayers who needed to check their ITIN status or resolve issues with an ITIN application were advised to review official guidance from the Internal Revenue Service and contact the agency directly if expected processing timelines had passed.

Sources

• IRS — Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
• IRS — Instructions for Form W-7
• IRS — Topic 857: Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
  

‍By William Mc Lee, Editor-in-Chief & Tax Expert—Get Tax Relief Now