An acceptance agent is an individual or entity (college, financial institution, accounting firm, etc.) that has entered into a formal agreement with the IRS permitting them to assist alien individuals and other foreign persons with obtaining a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). The type of duties that an acceptance agent is permitted to perform is based upon the application to become either an Acceptance Agent (AA) or a Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA).
Anyone who wishes to participate in the IRS Acceptance Agent Program must apply by completing IRS Form 13551.
In TaxSlayer Pro, acceptance agent information is entered in the preparer's record in the Configuration Menu. You must be logged in either as Admin or as a preparer with a security role of Unlimited. In an office with more than one PC preparing taxes and networked, editing the preparer record is done on the PC designated as the file server.
To include acceptance agent information for a preparer in TaxSlayer Pro, from the Quick Menu select:
- Configuration
- Firm / ERO / Preparer Setup
- Preparer(s) Menu - Select the preparer, then Edit
- 2848 / Acceptance Agent Information - Enter the information:
- Acceptance Agent Title
- Acceptance Agent Office Code - The office code is a number assigned by the ITIN Policy Section when the application for AA status is approved. (See important info below.)
- Acceptance Agent Business Name
- Acceptance Agent IRS Agreement Date
The information you enter in the Preparer Setup Menu will automatically pull to Form W-7 when selected to do so.
Newly added Acceptance Agent information doesn't automatically pull into a return that has already been started. To pull in the new information you will need to refresh the preparer code in the return. This is done from the Main Menu of the tax return (Form 1040) by selecting:
- Personal Information
- Preparer Code - Press Enter to re-enter the same code and refresh the preparer information in the return.
Important: If the IRS assigns you a new EFIN, you must notify the ITIN Policy Office. They will assign you a new office code based on your new EFIN. If you use your new EFIN prior to the information being revised in the Acceptance Agent database, your Forms W-7 will reject.
Additional Information:
IRS: ITIN Acceptance Agent Program Changes
IRS: Acceptance Agent Revenue Procedure
IRS: Publication 4520 - Acceptance Agent's Guide for Individual Tax Identification Number
Form W-7 - Application for an ITIN/Taxpayers Without a Social Security Number