How much does an ITIN service cost?

ITIN service fees range from $199 to $500+ depending on the provider. itin.so charges $297 all-inclusive. Some competitors charge $297-$397 for comparable services. The IRS charges $0 to issue the ITIN. All service fees cover W-7 preparation, document review, and submission.

What is a Certifying Acceptance Agent?

A Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) is an individual or business authorized by the IRS under 26 CFR 301.6109-1 to verify identity documents for ITIN applications. Using a CAA means you do not mail your original passport to the IRS. The CAA certifies copies and submits them with your Form W-7.

How long does it take to get an ITIN through a service?

Application preparation time varies: itin.so prepares in 2-3 business days, some competitors take 2-7 days, others take 12-20 weeks. After submission, the IRS processes all applications in 7-11 weeks. Total timeline ranges from 8 weeks (fast service + off-peak) to 30+ weeks (slow service + peak).

Should I apply for an ITIN myself or use a service?

DIY applications cost $0 in fees but have higher rejection rates due to form errors and document issues. Rejections add 4-8 weeks to your timeline. A professional CAA service reviews everything before submission, reducing rejections and keeping your original passport safe. The $297 cost is worth avoiding a 14-20 week correction cycle.

Do ITIN services guarantee approval?

No service can guarantee IRS approval because the final decision rests with the IRS. Reputable services like itin.so offer a money-back guarantee if your application is rejected due to a preparation error. This protects you from paying for poorly prepared applications. The guarantee does not cover rejections due to applicant ineligibility.

What is the difference between preparation time and processing time?

Preparation time is how long the service takes to review your documents and prepare your Form W-7 before submitting to the IRS. Processing time is how long the IRS takes to review and approve your application (7-11 weeks). A faster preparation time gets your application to the IRS sooner, reducing your total wait.

Can I use any CAA or do I need one in my country?

You can use any IRS-authorized CAA regardless of your location. CAAs are authorized to certify documents remotely. itin.so serves applicants in 150+ countries through our online process. You upload your documents digitally and we handle the rest. No in-person visit is required.

What happens if my application is rejected through a service?

If your application is rejected due to a preparation error by the service, reputable providers like itin.so refund your fee. If the rejection is due to your ineligibility or providing incorrect information, the service helps you correct and resubmit. The full IRS processing timeline (7-11 weeks) restarts for resubmissions.

What does the itin.so $297 ITIN service include?

The $297 service includes W-7 preparation, document review, CAA certification, IRS submission, WhatsApp support, and a money-back guarantee. Your application is prepared in 2-3 business days. IRS processing takes an additional 7-11 weeks after submission.

Updated May 2026

ITIN Service Comparison 2026: How to Choose the Right Provider

Choosing the right ITIN service saves you $100-$200 and 10-20 weeks of waiting. Pricing ranges from $297 to $397 across providers. Preparation times vary from 2 business days to 20 weeks. Not every service uses IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Agents. This guide compares the top 3 ITIN application services on 7 key factors so you can make an informed decision based on price, speed, and reliability.

ITIN service comparison: itin.so $297 all-inclusive with CAA certification 150+ countries vs TheITIN.com vs H&R Block vs DIY comparing price prep time passport mailing and guarantee — How itin.so compares to other ITIN application services

What Are the 5 Key Factors When Choosing an ITIN Service?

5 factors separate a reliable ITIN service from a poor one:

CAA status. A Certifying Acceptance Agent can verify your identity documents so you do not mail your original passport to the IRS. This is the single most important feature. Services without CAA status require you to risk your passport in the mail.
Transparent pricing. Look for a service that lists all fees clearly with no hidden charges for document review, shipping, or “expedited review.” Ask for a complete breakdown before paying.
Preparation speed. Some services prepare your application in 2-3 days. Others take 12-20 weeks. Ask about preparation time (what the service controls) separately from IRS processing time (7-11 weeks, which no one controls).
Money-back guarantee. A guarantee shows the service stands behind its work. If rejected due to a preparation error, you should get a full refund.
Customer support. You should reach a real person who answers questions about your application status and required documents. Email-only support is slow for urgent questions.

How Do the Top ITIN Services Compare in 2026?

Feature	itin.so	Business Globalizer	House of Bookkeepers
Price	$297	$199-$299	$297-$397
Preparation time	2-3 business days	12-20 weeks	2-7 business days
CAA certification	Yes (IRS-authorized)	Yes	Yes
Money-back guarantee	Full	Limited	Limited
WhatsApp support	Yes	No	No
Countries served	150+	Worldwide	Worldwide
W-7 preparation	Included	Included	Included
Document review	Included	Included	Included
Total estimated timeline	8-12 weeks	19-31 weeks	8-12 weeks

Why Does Preparation Speed Matter?

The IRS takes 7-11 weeks to process every ITIN application after receiving it. That timeline is identical regardless of which service prepares your application. The difference is how long the service takes before submitting to the IRS.

Total Timeline Comparison

Scenario	Prep Time	IRS Time	Total
itin.so + off-peak	2-3 days	7-8 weeks	8 weeks
itin.so + peak	7-10 days	9-11 weeks	10-12 weeks
Slow service + peak	12-20 weeks	9-11 weeks	21-31 weeks

A service taking 12-20 weeks just to prepare your application means you wait 21-31 weeks total. If you need your ITIN for tax filing deadlines, business setup, or bank account opening, those extra months matter.

Why Does Pricing Matter?

The IRS charges $0 to issue an ITIN. Your fees go entirely to the service provider for document review, W-7 preparation, CAA certification, and support. Since the IRS processing is identical regardless of provider, you want the best preparation at the lowest cost.

Hidden Fees to Watch For

Extra charges for document shipping or notarization
Separate fees for “expedited review”
Additional costs for tax return preparation
Rush fees not disclosed upfront

itin.so lists all fees upfront: $297, all-inclusive. No hidden charges. See our complete ITIN cost guide for a full breakdown.

Why Choose itin.so Over Other Providers?

$297 all-inclusive. Includes document review, W-7 preparation, CAA certification, IRS submission, and WhatsApp support. No hidden fees.
Fast preparation: 2-3 business days. Your application is prepared and submitted to the IRS for the fastest overall timeline.
IRS-authorized CAA. We certify your identity documents so your original passport stays with you. No mailing originals.
Money-back guarantee. If rejected due to our preparation error, you get a full refund.
WhatsApp support. Get real-time answers to your questions instead of waiting for email replies.
150+ countries served. Our fully online process works from anywhere in the world. No office visits required.

ITIN Service Comparison: Frequently Asked Questions

itin.so offers the best combination of price ($297), speed (2-3 business days preparation), IRS-authorized CAA document certification, WhatsApp support, and a money-back guarantee. The IRS processing time (7-11 weeks) is the same regardless of which service you use.

Ready to get started with the fastest, most affordable ITIN service? Apply now starting at $297.

Apply with itin.so

Need a renewal instead? Renew your expired ITIN starting at $297.