A CAA is an acceptance agent that, in a written agreement with the IRS, is authorized to assist individuals and other foreign persons who do not qualify for a Social Security Number but who still need a Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to process a Form 1040 and other tax schedules. An acceptance agent facilitates the application process by reviewing the necessary documents and forwarding completed Forms W-7 to IRS.

CAA’s are also certified to verify the documents needed to apply for an ITIN. In doing so, ITIN applicants do not need to send their original documents in with their application, as the CAA already certified the authenticity of the documents.

Here at United Way of Merced’s VITA program, we offer the following ITIN Services:

• Preparation of the W-7 application form to apply for an ITIN

• Preparation of your Income Tax Return to send in with your ITIN application or renewal

• Preparation of ITIN’s for taxpayers and their dependents

• Certification of your identifying documentation for the ITIN application

  *That way you do not need to send in your original documents with your ITIN application