With the tax deadline extended to July 15, many are evaluating their options for filing for themselves and others. Prestige Tax Office knows that one of the first, and most important, steps for becoming eligible to be paid for providing tax preparations for others is to obtain an ID number such as a PTIN. In order to assist these individuals, Prestige Tax Office provides information on PTINs and how the application process works.
What is a PTIN?
A Preparer Tax Identification Number, or PTIN, is an identification number that is issued by the IRS to those that are paid for their federal tax services. It is the responsibility of all paid tax preparers to include their ID on each federal tax return that they file with the IRS. A PTIN is different from an Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) because EFINs are issued to businesses while PTINs are for individuals.
How to Apply?
The application process for a PTIN is fairly simple, but the process is even more streamlined if you have all the information that you need to file on-hand. For example, your social security number, personal information (such as your name, date of birth, and address), supporting identification (passport, license, U.S. State Issued ID Card, Military ID Card, or National ID Card), and individual tax return.
Application for a PTIN can be done online and, typically, the PTIN can be obtained in about 15 minutes. Simply use the IRS Tax Professional PTIN System to create an account. The portal will issue you a temporary password that can be changed upon login. From there, the website will direct you on how to complete the process and prompt you to upload essential documents. Your PTIN status can be checked via the Main Menu of the site by clicking the “Show Details” button.
PTINs can be applied for via mail as well by sending your W-12 form to the IRS Tax Professional PTIN Processing Center. The process is not quite as quick as applying online and typically takes between four to six weeks to obtain the PTIN. Applying via mail is useful for tax preparers that do not have a SSN, either due to not being a U.S. citizen or abstaining from a SSN due to Conscientious Religious Objection. To apply via mail, simply download and print a W-12 form, fill it out, and attach the required documents. The W-12 can then be mailed to the IRS Professional PTIN Processing Center.