W7 In Person vs. Post

[GregAllum11]

Hi Turbo Tax

I am filing my 2019 tax return, I have a SSN but my wife and 2x children require ITINs through the W7 form. I am using Turbo Tax to complete the return then printing and  have a question or two:

1) Should I leave SSN / ITIN Blank?

2) Can I arrange to file in person? Reason is we'd prefer not to post our family's passports. If so, what is the process - do I just book an appointment at local tax office and bring in printed documentation - will they just verify passport details and then file all forms?

Thanks Greg

[SusanY1 · Accepted solution]

Yes, there are ways to apply for ITINs without posting your original documents to the IRS.  You can do this one of two ways.

You can visit a Taxpayer Assistance Center if there is one located near you. You can find a list of those by clicking on this link: Taxpayer Assistance Centers. 

Appointments are required and some assistance centers may be able to collect your tax return for you. 

If there is not a center convenient to you, you can use the services of a Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA).  

CAAs can verify your documents and provide you with a certification that you then attach to your W-7 application to mail in-lieu of sending your original documents.  CAAs may charge a fee for their services.   

The IRS maintains a list of Certified Acceptance Agents HERE.