Certifying Agent for ITIN

[Pacun]

How can you keep up with this requirement? There are many thousands variations of these documents in the world.

FORENSIC TRAINING: (for Acceptance Agent)

This training must aid in identifying fraudulent identification documents. It must provide the skills to effectively recognize fraudulent documents, such as, passports, driver’s licenses, birth certificates, visas, national identification cards, military and US state ID cards.

[JohnH]

It just means they intend to make you the scapegoat if anything goes wrong.

[ILLMAS]

That's one reason I haven't become an acceptance agent, I use a third party to photocopy TP documents, translate if needed then notarized the copies being sent to the IRS, they can then decide if yes or no. So far I haven't had any problems or rejections.

[Pacun]

I agree with JohnH.

MAS

Certified copies are not allowed any more. This year we were not Acceptance Agent and two password were lost or misplaced at the IRS office. The IRS sent a letter asking for proof of identity such as password, which they had to begin with.

[deburca999]

I just found this forum today.  One thing I cannot figure out as a Certifying Acceptance Agent is these people who come into my office supposedly for an ITIN application appointment but then demand that I simply then and there certify photocopy their passports and other documents, and at the same time saying that they have already retained and paid accountants (usually based in the USA) who have completed the W-7 and all other forms, etc.

I normally seek to explain to them I cannot help them as I am not familiar with the ITIN requirements of their particular case (which they don't want to discuss anyway) , and that I perform only the whole ITIN application and not just chosen "parts".  I believe it is my role to always discuss with the clients the grounds on which they can seek an ITIN, their documents, and become familiar with the application to be made.  I don't believe I am authorised to pick and choose what aspects of the ITIN work I can do.  

Anyone else having this issue?   What is the best way to handle such persons, and the accountants who send them to us.       

 

Deburca999

 

[Lynn EA USTCP in Louisiana]

I cannot help you as I never got past the part of the prospective's inquiry as to how much?  So, my CAA was non-renewed by IRS since I did not submit the required number of W7 applications within the prescribed time period.

[deburca999]

On 8/6/2020 at 5:25 PM, Lynn EA USTCP in Louisiana said:

I cannot help you as I never got past the part of the prospective's inquiry as to how much?  So, my CAA was non-renewed by IRS since I did not submit the required number of W7 applications within the prescribed time period.

 That is perhaps due to some Americans not recognising the value of professional work being performed.  It's as if they are treating professionals and lawyers who are CAAs as something similar to the US notary transaction.  I am an American but have been living in the UK since 1999 and thankfully it's not like that here.  It's fairly rare to have that happen with British clients - or American clients who have lived here for any stretch of time.

[ILLMAS]

On 8/28/2013 at 7:08 PM, Pacun said:

I agree with JohnH.

 

MAS

Certified copies are not allowed any more. This year we were not Acceptance Agent and two password were lost or misplaced at the IRS office. The IRS sent a letter asking for proof of identity such as password, which they had to begin with.

Late response, but I've successful with certified copies, I had a client go to the Consulate and photocopy the records on their stationary and it has worked for the longest.