Instructions (Form W-12)

Instructions for Form W-12
(Revised October 2020)
IRS Paid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) Application and Renewal
Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code unless
otherwise noted.

Future Developments
For the latest information about developments related to Form
W-12 and its separate instructions, such as legislation enacted
after they were published, go to IRS.gov/FormW12.

Use and Availability of Information on
This Form
The Freedom of Information Act requires that certain information
from this application be made available to the general public. This
includes, but may not be limited to, the following information.
● Name.

What's New

● Business Name.

New SSN question. If you did not have an SSN when you initially
obtained a PTIN, you must now provide information on whether
you have subsequently received an SSN. See the instructions for
Line 3, later.

● Business Address.

Fee Required. A fee is now required to apply for or renew a
PTIN. See the instructions for Line 13, later.

● Professional Credentials.

● Business Website Address.

Who Must File

Reminders
Voluntary Inactivating/Reactivating PTIN. An individual who no
longer prepares any federal tax returns for compensation may
request his or her PTIN be placed in inactive status at any time.
For more information on voluntarily inactivating or reactivating
your PTIN, see Voluntarily Inactivate PTIN, later, or review
information available at IRS.gov/PTIN.
Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials
and Select Qualifications. The IRS has a public listing on the
IRS website of PTIN holders who are attorneys, CPAs, EAs,
enrolled retirement plan agents, and enrolled actuaries, as well as
individuals who successfully completed the requirements to
participate in the Annual Filing Season Program. The searchable
listing includes the individual's name, city, state, and zip code.
The city and state of the business address you enter on line 5a of
this form will be the address reflected in the online Directory of
Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select
Qualifications if you meet the qualifications for inclusion. If you
have more than one business location, enter your primary
business location address. See the Line 12 instructions for the
definitions of professional credentials and select qualifications,
later.
Telephone help. If you have questions about completing this
form or the status of your application or renewal, you may call the
following phone numbers. If calling from the United States, call
1-877-613-PTIN (7846). For TTY/TDD assistance, call
1-877-613-3686. If calling internationally, call +1 915-342-5655
(not a toll-free number). Telephone help generally is available
Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central time.

Photographs of Missing Children
The IRS is a proud partner with the National Center for Missing
and Exploited Children. Photographs of missing children selected
by the Center may appear in instructions on pages that would
otherwise be blank. You can help bring these children home by
looking at the photographs and calling 1-800-THE-LOST
(1-800-843-5678) if you recognize a child.

General Instructions
Purpose Of Form

● Business Phone Number.

Anyone who is a paid tax return preparer must apply for and
receive a PTIN. EAs also must obtain a PTIN. The PTIN must be
renewed annually. For purposes of determining who must obtain
a PTIN, a tax return preparer is any individual who is
compensated for preparing, or assisting in the preparation of, all
or substantially all of a tax return or claim for refund of tax.

How To File
Online. Go to the webpage IRS.gov/PTIN for information. Follow
the instructions to submit Form W-12. If you submit your
application and payment online, your PTIN generally will be
provided to you immediately after you complete the application.
By mail. Complete Form W-12. Send the form and payment to:
IRS Tax Professional PTIN Processing Center
1605 George Dieter PMB 678
El Paso, TX 79936
Note. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for processing of PTIN applications.

Specific Instructions
It is important to follow these instructions. If your application is
incomplete, the IRS will request that you supply the missing
information within a specified time. The IRS will be unable to
process your application if you do not provide the missing
information.
Line 1. Enter your legal name. This entry should reflect your
name as it appears on your tax return and as it will be entered on
tax returns that you are paid to prepare. If you are renewing your
PTIN, enter the PTIN you received after you first filed Form W-12.
Voluntarily Inactivate PTIN. An individual who does not expect
to prepare federal tax returns for compensation for a
full calendar year may request to be placed in an inactive status.
You can inactivate your PTIN by accessing your online PTIN
account at IRS.gov/PTIN and selecting the Inactivate
PTIN function under the Manage My PTIN Account section. You
can reactivate your PTIN within 3 years by selecting the
Reactivate PTIN function in your online PTIN account.
If you do not have an online account, you may call the number
listed under the Telephone help, earlier, for additional assistance.

Use this form to apply for or renew a PTIN.
Catalog Number 59933W

TIP

EAs must maintain a current PTIN in order to maintain their
EA credential and should not inactivate their PTIN unless they
retire.

You must also enter your SSN if you have been assigned one
since obtaining your PTIN. If you still do not have an SSN, check
the box.
Line 4. Enter your complete personal mailing address and phone
number.

Line 2. If you are applying for a new PTIN after October 1, you
must indicate whether you want your PTIN to be valid for
the current calendar year or the next calendar year. If you select
the current calendar year, your PTIN is valid until
December 31 of the current year. If you select the next calendar
year, your PTIN will not be valid until January 1 of the next
calendar year.

If you obtained your PTIN using Form 8946 and you still do not
have a SSN, your address must be outside the U.S.
If the U.S. Postal Service will not deliver mail to your physical
enter the U.S. Postal Service post office box number
TIP location,
for your mailing address. Contact your local U.S. Post Office
for more information. Do not use a post office box owned by
a private firm or company. Most PTIN correspondence will be sent to your
email address. However, any paper PTIN correspondence will be sent to
the personal mailing address listed on line 4.

Note. If you do not select a calendar year, then your PTIN
application will be processed for the current calendar year.
Prior-Year Renewals. If you checked the “Renewal
application” box in line 1 and need to renew for a prior calendar
year, you must indicate this by entering the year (YYYY format) in
the “Prior year” box and listing each prior calendar year in the
space(s) provided. Complete a single Form W-12 for multiple
calendar years, for which you are applying for a prior-year PTIN.

Line 5a. Enter your business address if it is different from the
address entered on line 4. Entering the business phone number is
optional.
If you obtained your PTIN using Form 8946 and you still do not
have a SSN, your address must be outside the U.S.

If your PTIN has been in an expired status for more than 1 full
calendar year, you must renew for each previously expired year
unless you were inactive during any one of those calendar years.

Note. The business address listed on line 5a will be reflected in
the online Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with
Credentials and Select Qualifications if you meet the
qualifications for inclusion. If you have more than one business
location, enter your primary business location address.

If you were inactive during any one of those prior calendar
years but did not place your PTIN into voluntary inactive status,
you can retroactively do so by following the instructions under
Voluntarily Inactivate PTIN, earlier.

!
▲
CAUTION

Line 5b. If you are self-employed or an owner, partner, or officer
of a tax return preparation business, enter your applicable
identification numbers. Make sure to enter any letters that are part
of your Centralized Authorization File (CAF) number. If you have
multiple Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) or Electronic
Filer Identification Numbers (EFINs), enter the number that is
used most frequently on returns you prepare. Entering the
business website address is optional.

If your PTIN has been inactive or expired for more than 3
consecutive years, you must submit a new registration
application to obtain an active PTIN.

Line 3. Enter your social security number (SSN) and date of birth.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age to apply.
Applying without an SSN. If you do not have an SSN
because you are either a U.S. citizen who is a conscientious
religious objector or a foreign individual, you will need to complete
and submit additional information either online or by mail in order
to obtain a PTIN.

Line 6. Enter the email address we should use if we need to
contact you about matters regarding this form.
We will also send PTIN related emails with general information,
reminders, and requirements. Any valid email address that you
check regularly for PTIN communications is acceptable.

U.S. citizen who is a conscientious religious objector. If
you are a U.S. citizen who does not have an SSN because you
have a conscientious religious objection to having an SSN, you
must complete an additional form as part of the PTIN application
process. The form you must complete is Form 8945, PTIN
Supplemental Application For U.S. Citizens Without a Social
Security Number Due To Conscientious Religious Objection. On
Form 8945, you will verify information about your identity,
citizenship, and conscientious religious objection. See Form 8945
for instructions on completing and submitting the form and the
required documents.

Line 7. You must check Yes or No. You are required to fully
disclose any information concerning prior felony convictions. A
felony conviction may not necessarily disqualify you from having a
PTIN. However, generally, an individual who is currently
incarcerated for any felony conviction will not be permitted to
obtain or renew a PTIN.
Use the space in line 7 to provide details of your prior felony
conviction(s). All facts and circumstances will be considered. You
will be contacted if additional information is needed.

!
▲

Foreign persons. If you are a foreign person who does not
have an SSN, you must provide additional identity proofing
documents as part of the PTIN application process. A foreign
person is an individual who does not have and is not eligible to
obtain an SSN and is neither a citizen of the United States nor a
resident alien of the United States as defined in section 7701(b)
(1)(A). You can apply online or complete Form 8946, PTIN
Supplemental Application For Foreign Persons Without a Social
Security Number. On Form 8946, you will verify information about
your foreign status and identity. See Form 8946 for instructions
on completing and submitting the form and the required
documents.

!
▲
CAUTION

CAUTION

Providing false or misleading information on this form is a
criminal offense that may result in prosecution and criminal
penalties.

Line 8. If you have an SSN and are requesting a PTIN but have
never filed a U.S. income tax return, see below for additional
requirements.

Never filed a U.S. tax return. If you have an SSN and are
applying for a PTIN and any of the statements below apply to
your current U.S. situation, then you must submit a paper PTIN
application along with two identity verification documents. See
Required Supporting ID Documentation below. When submitting
supporting ID documentation, you can either submit online or by
Line 2 of Form 8946 must contain a non-U.S. physical address.
This address cannot be a P.O. box. If a P.O. box is listed on line mail. You must submit an original, certified, or notarized copy of
your social security card along with an original, certified, or
2a of the Form 8946, your application will be rejected and
returned to you.

-2-

notarized copy of one other government-issued document that
contains a current photo ID.
1. You have never filed a U.S. income tax return.
2. You have not filed a U.S. income tax return in the past 4 years.
3. You do not have a U.S. income tax filing requirement (such as
certain individuals from Puerto Rico).
Required Supporting ID Documentation. You can either
submit supporting ID documentation online or by mail.

Line 10. You must check Yes or No. Taxpayers are required to
be in full compliance with federal tax laws, including filing all
returns and paying all taxes, or making payment arrangements
acceptable to the IRS. The filing of a tax return and the payment
of the tax liability associated with that return are two separate and
distinct requirements under the Internal Revenue Code, which
must be satisfied within the periods specified for each taxable
period in which you have a legal obligation to file.
Use this space in line 10 to provide the details of any
noncompliance, including the steps you have taken to resolve the
issue. Providing false or misleading information on this form is a
criminal offense that may result in prosecution and criminal
penalties. In addition, providing false or misleading information is
a separate ground to deny your application for a PTIN or
terminate it after it has been assigned. All the facts and
circumstances as related in your explanation will be considered.
You will be contacted if additional information is needed.

Online uploads. To submit supporting ID documents online,
follow the online prompts to upload certified or notarized copies of
acceptable documentation.
Submitting paper Form W-12 and supporting documents.
Documents must be original, certified, or notarized. One
document must be government-issued and contain a current
photo ID. Examples of acceptable supporting documents are
listed below. All documents must be current (not expired), and
must verify your name. If you submit copies of documents that
display information on both sides, copies of both the front and
back of the document(s) must be submitted either online or by
mail.

If you have never filed a U.S. individual income tax return
because you were not required to do so, check the “Yes” box.
Line 11. Check the box to confirm awareness of your
responsibility to protect taxpayer information.
Additional Resources:

Examples of acceptable supporting documents.
● Passport/Passport Card.

● Pub. 4557, Safeguarding Taxpayer Data

● Driver's License.

● Pub. 5417, Basic Security Plan

● U.S. State ID Card.

● IRS.gov/IdentityTheft

● Military ID Card.

● IRS.gov, keyword: Protect Your Clients Protect Yourself

● National ID Card.

Note. Enrolled Agents who do not prepare returns may skip
line 11.

TIP

To avoid any loss of your original documents, it is suggested
you do not submit the original documents.

Line 12. Check the appropriate boxes to indicate your
professional credentials. Check all boxes that apply. Do not
check any professional credentials that are currently expired or
retired. Retired or expired credentials are those that are not valid
or active at the time of the application. Include the licensing
number, jurisdiction, and expiration date. If the expiration date is
left blank or incomplete, that specific credential will not be added
during the processing of your application. Select only from the
professional credentials listed below. There is no write-in option. If
you do not have any professional credentials, check the “None”
box.

Note. See Form 8946 and instructions for information
regarding certification/notarization of foreign documents.
A certified copy is a document that the original issuing agency
provides and certifies as an exact copy of the original
document and contains an official seal from the issuing agency.
Certified documents have a stamp and/or an ink seal (may or may
not be raised). All certifications must stay attached to the copies
of the documents when they are sent to the IRS.

Recognized professional credentials include the following.

A notarized copy is one that has been notarized by a U.S.
notary public, U.S. government military officer (JAG Officer), U.S.
State Department, U.S. Consul/Embassy Employee, or by a
notary legally authorized within his or her local jurisdiction to
certify that each document is a true copy of the original. To do
this, the notary must see the valid, unaltered, original documents
and the copies must bear the mark (stamp, signature, etc.) of the
notary. Notarized documents may or may not have a signature
but will have a stamp and usually a raised seal.

!
▲

Attorney. An attorney is any individual who is licensed to
practice law by the bar of the highest court of any state, territory,
or possession of the United States, including a commonwealth, or
the District of Columbia.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA). A CPA is any individual
who is duly qualified to practice as a CPA in any state, territory, or
possession of the United States, including a commonwealth, or
the District of Columbia.

If submitting Form 8945 or Form 8946 with the Form W-12,
refer to those form instructions for required documentation.

Enrolled Agent (EA). An EA is any individual enrolled as an
agent who is not currently under suspension or disbarment from
practice before the IRS. EAs are licensed by the IRS.

CAUTION

Where to send the completed PTIN application. Send the
completed Form W-12 with the required documentation and
payment to the mailing address listed under How To File, earlier.
If your application is not complete and you do not supply the
required information upon request, the IRS will be unable to
process your application.

Enrolled Actuary. An enrolled actuary is any individual who is
enrolled as an actuary by the Joint Board for the Enrollment of
Actuaries.
Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent (ERPA). An ERPA is any
individual enrolled as a retirement plan agent who is not currently
under suspension or disbarment from practice before the IRS.

Line 9. If you filed your most recent individual income tax return
more than 4 years ago, see the line 8 instructions above for
information on how to submit Form W-12 and the supporting
identification documents that must accompany your submission.
-3-

State Regulated Tax Return Preparer. A state regulated tax
return preparer is any individual who remains current with certain
state-based tax return preparer programs. Tax return preparers
who are registered with the following will fall into this category.

Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Notice. We ask for
the information on this form to carry out the Internal Revenue
laws of the United States. This information will be used to issue a
Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). Our authority to
collect this information is found in section 3710 of the Internal
Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 and
Internal Revenue Code section 6109. Under section 6109, tax
return preparers are required to provide their identification
numbers on what they prepare. Applying for a PTIN is mandatory
if you prepare U.S. tax returns for compensation. Providing
incomplete information may delay or prevent processing of this
application; providing false or fraudulent information may subject
you to penalties.

● Oregon Board of Tax Practitioners.
● California Tax Education Council.
● Maryland State Board of Individual Tax Preparers.
Note. The above list of participating state programs is subject to
change. For the most up-to-date information on participating
states, visit IRS.gov/PTIN.
Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA). A CAA is an individual
or entity (college, financial institution, accounting firm, etc.) that
has entered into a formal agreement with the IRS that permits
them to assist alien individuals and other foreign individuals with
obtaining Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers. A CAA
cannot verify documents in order for individuals to obtain a PTIN.
CAAs should enter either their EFIN or the eight-digit office code
assigned to them via the CAA application process.

You are not required to provide the information requested on a
form that is subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act unless the
form displays a valid OMB control number. Books or records
relating to a form or its instructions must be retained as long as
their contents may become material in the administration of any
Internal Revenue law. Generally, the information you provide on
this form is confidential pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974, and
tax returns and return information are confidential pursuant to
Code section 6103. However, we are authorized to disclose this
information to contractors to perform the contract, to the
Department of Justice for civil and criminal litigation, and to cities,
states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. commonwealths and
possessions for use in their return preparer oversight activities
and administration of their tax laws. We may also disclose this
information to other countries under a tax treaty, to federal and
state agencies to enforce federal nontax criminal laws, to federal
law enforcement and intelligence agencies to combat terrorism, or
to the general public to assist them in identifying those individuals
authorized by the IRS to prepare tax returns or claims for refund.

Note. Once you complete the requirements to participate in the
Annual Filing Season Program, the IRS will add this to your PTIN
account. See more information about the program listed under
Reminders, earlier.
Signature. The completed Form W-12 must be signed and dated
by the applicant. Please use black or blue ink.
Line 13. Payment of the application registration/renewal fee(s)
must accompany this form or it will be rejected. PTIN
Registration/Renewal Fees.
● If you are applying for a PTIN in order to prepare federal tax
returns for calendar year 2021, the registration/renewal fee is
$35.95.
● If you are registering or renewing a PTIN for 2020 or any other
prior calendar year, there is no registration/renewal fee.
● PTIN fees are nonrefundable.

Recordkeeping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 hr.
Learning about the law or the form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 min.
Preparing and sending the form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 min.

● Make checks or money orders payable to “IRS Tax Pro PTIN
Fee.”
● Do not paper clip, staple, or otherwise attach the payment to
Form W-12.

!
▲
CAUTION

The time needed to complete and file this form will vary
depending on individual circumstances. The estimated burden for
those who file this form is shown below.

Remember to sign and date your check, and ensure the correct
dollar amount is spelled out and matches the numerical amount
of the check. If the check is not complete, the check will be
voided and the application will be returned to you.

-4-

If you have comments concerning the accuracy of these time
estimates or suggestions for making this form simpler, we would
be happy to hear from you. You can send us comments from
IRS.gov/FormComments. Or you can send your comments to the
Internal Revenue Service, Tax Forms and Publications Division,
1111 Constitution Ave. NW, IR-6526, Washington, DC 20224. Do
not send Form W-12 to this address. Instead, see How To File,
earlier.