In an effort to curb potential immigration fraud, the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) is tightening Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
(ITIN) requirements. ITINs are similar to Social Security numbers and
are used by taxpayers not eligible to receive a Social Security number.
Updates being made to regulations related to ITINs will, according to
IRS, limit the amount of fraudulently obtained tax ID numbers and false
refund claims.
With new regulations, ITINs will now expire after five years. Taxpayers
will no longer be able to hold onto these numbers indefinitely; they
must now reapply at the end of the five-year term. Additionally, ITIN
applications will require original documentation or certified copies of
documents. Notarized copies of documents will no longer be accepted.
These changes will be in effect for Tax Year 2013.
