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.
To enter a preparer's acceptance agent information in TaxSlayer ProWeb, from the Welcome page select:
- Configuration
- Preparer Setup - Select Edit next to the preparer.
- Scroll down to the Preparer Agent Information section and enter the information in the space provided:
- Title
- Company Name
- 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.)
- IRS Agreement Date
When the information has been entered for the preparer in ProWeb, it will pull to Form W-7 in all new and existing returns prepared by the preparer.
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