ITIN Application San Jose
Apply for or renew your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) with an IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA). Our CAA verifies your passport in office — you keep your originals the same day. The only San Jose office combining ITIN preparation, tax return filing, legal documents through TrustPoint, and FBI fingerprinting through Fingerscan Digital — all under one roof.
Personally guides every client through their W-7 application, document verification, and tax filing — in plain English, Spanish, or Vietnamese.
What Is an ITIN — and Do You Need One?
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a nine-digit tax processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS issues ITINs to people who must file U.S. federal taxes but are not eligible for a Social Security Number — including non-resident aliens, resident aliens based on days present, dependents and spouses of U.S. citizens or visa holders, and foreign nationals with U.S. tax obligations.
An ITIN is for federal tax reporting only. It does not authorize work in the U.S., does not confer immigration status, and does not create eligibility for Social Security benefits. What it does do: lets you file a return, claim refunds you are owed, open a bank account or apply for a mortgage at many institutions, and document your tax compliance — which can support future immigration matters that may also require an FBI background check or Live Scan fingerprinting.
You Likely Need an ITIN If You…
- Earn U.S. income but cannot get an SSN
- File a 1040 or 1040-NR with U.S. tax obligations
- Are the spouse of a U.S. citizen or resident filing jointly
- Claim a dependent child without an SSN
- Need to claim a tax treaty benefit
- Receive scholarship, fellowship, or grant income
- Have third-party reporting (1099, mortgage interest)
- Own a U.S. business or rental property as a foreign owner
Certifying Acceptance Agent vs Acceptance Agent
The IRS recognizes two types of acceptance agents. The difference determines whether you get to keep your passport — or have to mail it to Austin, Texas for one to two months. Here is the official IRS comparison.
| Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) | Acceptance Agent (AA) |
|---|---|
| ✓ Helps complete Form W-7 | ✓ Helps complete Form W-7 |
| ✓ Authenticates supporting documents in office (passport, national ID, birth certificate*) | ✕ Cannot authenticate documents — must mail originals to IRS |
| ✓ Returns authenticated documents immediately — you keep your passport | ✕ Originals leave your possession for 1 to 2 months |
| ✓ Mails the ITIN application package to the IRS | ✓ Mails the ITIN application package to the IRS |
| ✓ Can work directly with the IRS to resolve application issues | ✓ Can work directly with the IRS to resolve application issues |
| ✓ Receives copies of client ITIN notices | ✕ Does not receive client notices |
*Per IRS limitations on dependent documents. Source: IRS — ITIN Acceptance Agents (irs.gov)
IRS Compliance + Legal Compliance + One-Roof Service
There are roughly a dozen IRS Certifying Acceptance Agents in the South Bay. Most are stand-alone CPA firms or tax preparers. They handle the W-7 — and that is it. You still need a separate office for legal documents, another for fingerprinting if your immigration case requires it, and another for the notary on your supporting affidavits. Our full service menu handles every paperwork need a typical immigrant family encounters.
We took a different approach. Our office is structured around both IRS compliance for the ITIN application itself and legal compliance through our partnership with TrustPoint (registered LDA #268 — Quinnie's legal document preparation business, co-located at the same address). Every paperwork need a typical immigrant family encounters in their first years filing U.S. taxes is handled in one visit, by people who already know your file.
Under One Roof at 434 Blossom Hill Rd
- ITIN new applications & renewals (CAA)
- Federal & California tax return preparation
- FBI fingerprinting for immigration
- Live Scan for licensing & employment
- Notary public services
- Mobile fingerprinting (we come to you)
- Passport photos & passport renewal help
- Living trusts & property deed transfers (LDA)
Best practice means dual oversight. Tax work is handled under CTEC compliance and IRS Circular 230 ethics. Legal document preparation is handled under California's LDA registration and bonding requirements. You get both — under one roof.
One Office. Every Service Your Family Needs.
This is what no other Certifying Acceptance Agent in San Jose can offer. Walk in once, walk out done.
ITIN Application & Renewal
IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Agent. Keep your passport. New from $325, renewal $250.
★ You Are HereTax Return Preparation
CTEC-registered preparer. Federal & California state returns. Bundle with ITIN for $50 off.
FBI Fingerprinting
FBI-approved channeler. Results in 5 minutes for N-400, I-130, asylum, dual citizenship.
Mobile Fingerprinting
We come to your office, school, or law firm. Perfect for HR onboarding and group sessions.
Notary Public
California-commissioned notary on site. Mobile notary available for clients who cannot travel.
Passport Photos & Renewal
Compliant 2x2 passport photos in 5 minutes. Renewal application help and document review.
Living Trusts & Estate Planning
Through TrustPoint LDA #268. Revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, beneficiary designations.
Property Deed Transfers
Quitclaim and grant deeds, transfer-on-death deeds, parent-to-child exemption forms.
Immigration Document Prep
Form packet assembly for USCIS filings — N-400, I-130, I-485, I-765 supporting paperwork.
Honest Pricing — No Surprises
Most CAA firms in the Bay Area quote between $475 and $900 per applicant and don't post pricing publicly. We post ours. Family bundles save 15%, and you save another $50 when you bundle with tax preparation.
New ITIN Application
Fee varies by complexity — single applicant, exception case, or family.
- Form W-7 prepared end-to-end
- In-office passport verification
- Certificate of Accuracy (W-7 COA)
- Full IRS submission & tracking
- 15% off family bundles
ITIN Renewal
For ITINs that expired due to three years of non-use, or expiring this year.
- Form W-7 renewal preparation
- Same in-office verification
- Aligned with current tax filing
- Family renewals discounted
Resubmission
If the IRS rejects your application — we fix it. Free if our office made the error.
- Full review of IRS rejection notice
- Document & W-7 corrections
- Re-submission to IRS
- $0 if our error caused it
How the ITIN Application Works at Our Office
From your first call to receiving your ITIN letter from the IRS — here is what to expect.
Call or Walk In
Bring your passport (or two alternate IRS-approved documents) and any prior tax information. Trilingual intake — English, Spanish, or Vietnamese.
Eligibility Review & Quote
Our CAA confirms you actually need an ITIN, identifies any IRS exception categories that may apply, and quotes you a flat fee in writing before any work begins.
In-Office Document Verification
We authenticate your passport and identity documents per IRS protocol. You keep your originals the same day. The Certificate of Accuracy (W-7 COA) is prepared.
W-7 Packet Assembled & Filed
Your Form W-7, Certificate of Accuracy, certified document copies, and tax return (or exception documentation) are mailed as a complete IRS packet to ITIN Operations in Austin, Texas.
Receive Your ITIN — We Track It
The IRS issues a CP565 Notice with your assigned ITIN, typically in approximately 7 weeks (9-11 weeks during tax season). We track status and follow up with the IRS if a notice does not arrive in the expected window.
Meet Quinnie — Your CTEC-Registered Tax Preparer
Quinnie is the featured ITIN Specialist at Fingerscan Digital Inc. She is a CTEC Registered Tax Preparer (CRTP) — meaning she has completed a 60-hour qualifying tax education course, passed a competency exam, and is registered with the California Tax Education Council under California Business and Professions Code Section 22250-22259. CRTPs are required to maintain a $5,000 surety bond protecting clients against fraud, complete 20 hours of continuing professional education every year, and renew their registration annually with CTEC.
This is not a casual qualification. CTEC was created by the California State Legislature in 1997 to protect taxpayers, and the Franchise Tax Board enforces compliance. Only CPAs, enrolled agents, and California Bar attorneys are exempt — every other paid tax preparer in California must be CTEC-registered to legally prepare returns.
ITIN Application Near Me — Common Questions Answered
Our pricing is transparent and posted publicly — most CAAs in the Bay Area do not post theirs. New ITIN applications range from $325 to $450 depending on complexity (single applicant, exception category, or family with dependents). ITIN renewal is $250. Resubmission after an IRS rejection is $100 — and free if our office caused the rejection. Family bundles get 15% off, and you save an additional $50 when bundled with tax preparation.
No — and that is exactly the reason to use a Certifying Acceptance Agent. As an IRS-authorized CAA, our office authenticates your passport in person and returns your originals the same day. Only certified copies and the Certificate of Accuracy (Form W-7 COA) go to the IRS. This avoids the most common ITIN risk: a passport lost or delayed in the mail for one to two months while you cannot travel or prove your identity.
Per IRS guidance: an Acceptance Agent (AA) helps complete Form W-7 and reviews supporting documents — but cannot certify them, so you still mail your originals to the IRS. A Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) is specifically authorized to authenticate your supporting documents in office, return them immediately, mail the application package, and resolve issues directly with the IRS. We are a CAA. The full IRS comparison is on the official IRS Acceptance Agents page.
After your in-office appointment, the IRS typically issues an ITIN in approximately 7 weeks. During tax season — January 15 through April 30 — processing may take 9 to 11 weeks. Working with a CAA materially reduces rejection risk; rejected applications restart the entire timeline and often add months.
Yes. Quinnie is a CTEC Registered Tax Preparer (CRTP), registered with the California Tax Education Council, bonded with a $5,000 surety bond, and required by California Business and Professions Code Section 22250-22259 to complete annual continuing education. Only CPAs, enrolled agents, and California Bar attorneys are exempt from CTEC registration — every other paid preparer in California must be CTEC-registered to legally prepare tax returns. You can verify any CRTP's status at ctec.org/verify.
Most first-time applicants must attach a federal tax return (Form 1040 or 1040-NR) to Form W-7. The IRS recognizes five exception categories: third-party reporting (1099 income, gambling winnings), mortgage interest reporting, scholarship or fellowship income, certain partnership distributions, and tax treaty claims. We review your situation during the eligibility consult and confirm whether an exception applies — and if it does, we prepare the exception documentation correctly so the IRS does not bounce the application.
A valid passport is the simplest single document — it proves both identity and foreign status in one. If you do not have a passport, bring two documents from the IRS-approved list (typically a national ID card plus a civil birth certificate, or a U.S. visa plus a foreign driver's license). For dependents, a passport with a date of entry into the U.S. is preferred. Bring all family members applying with their original documents. We will confirm your specific checklist during the intake call.
Yes. If your ITIN was not used on a federal return for three consecutive years, it has expired. Renewal is $250 with the same in-office passport verification — no mailing originals. We align your renewal with your current-year tax filing so you do not get hit with a rejected return or a delayed refund.
Yes — and this is the central reason clients choose us over a stand-alone CPA. We are the only San Jose office combining a Certifying Acceptance Agent for ITIN, CTEC-registered tax preparation, registered LDA #268 for legal documents through TrustPoint, FBI Live Scan fingerprinting through Fingerscan Digital, notary, and passport photos — all under one roof at 434 Blossom Hill Rd. Most competitors require two or three separate offices for the same paperwork bundle.
An ITIN is a tax processing number issued by the IRS for federal tax reporting only. It does not authorize work in the U.S. and does not change your immigration status. The IRS is generally prohibited from sharing taxpayer information with other federal agencies under 26 U.S.C. § 6103. Filing taxes correctly with an ITIN can in fact support an immigration case later by documenting good moral character, physical presence, and tax compliance.
This is general information, not legal advice. For case-specific immigration advice, consult a licensed immigration attorney.
Full-Service Solutions Across Our Family of Companies
Our office is part of a coordinated network of San Jose providers covering tax filing, legal document preparation, and FBI fingerprinting — so your paperwork is handled end-to-end at one Silicon Valley address.
Bay Area Live Scan & More
ITIN applications and renewals as IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent, FBI background checks, Live Scan fingerprinting, apostille, notary, and passport photos — serving individuals and families in San Jose.
Current PageTrustPoint Disability & Legal Services
Quinnie's registered LDA practice (LDA #268) at the same office — living trusts, family law forms, immigration document preparation, estate planning, SSDI applications, and property deed transfers for clients who need paperwork drafted, not just stamped.
Visit TrustPoint Legal →Fingerscan Digital for Employers
Corporate billing accounts, bulk FBI background checks, mobile fingerprinting for staff, 30-day net terms, and ORI management for employers, law firms, and organizations across the Bay Area.
Visit Fingerscan-Digital.com →Ready to Apply for Your ITIN in San Jose?
Walk in to 434 Blossom Hill Rd, San Jose, CA 95123 — or call to schedule. Keep your passport. Bundle with tax preparation and legal document help. Trilingual staff ready to assist.