A Certified Acceptance Agent is a person or entity (business or organization) who, pursuant to a written agreement with the IRS, is authorized to assist individuals and other foreign persons who do not qualify for a Social Security number, but who still need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to process Form 1040, 1040 NR and other tax schedules. The Certified Acceptance Agent facilitates the application process by reviewing the necessary documents and forwarding completed Form W-7, Application for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, to the IRS.

Certified Acceptance agents are duly authorized by the IRS ITIN office to issue Certified Accuracy Certificates – documents that certify the agent has reviewed the supporting documentation to prove the ITIN applicant’s identity and foreign status, and to the best of their knowledge, the assurance that the documents are complete, authentic and accurate. With the Certified Acceptance Agent’s acceptance, no original passport,  or certified copy of passports are required to be submitted to the IRS. CAA’s issued Certificate of Accuracy for primary and secondary applicants and their dependents. For dependents CAA’s can only verify passports and birth certificates. The CAA will return the documentation immediately after reviewing its authenticity (a photocopy will be made by the CAA.

Acceptance agents are required to complete formal forensic document training to obtain the necessary skills to determine the authenticity of the identification documents. Evidence of professional status, forensic documentation, and mandatory training certification from the IRS.