Home › IRS notices › CP566 notice
CP566 notice: what it means and what to do
Got an IRS CP566 notice? Here is what it means, your deadline, what to check before you answer, and how to reply. Check your own letter free: it stays on your phone.
Check my CP566 notice freeWhat the IRS says this notice is about
We need more information to process your application for an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) . You may have sent us an incomplete form. You may have sent us the wrong documents.
What you need to do
- Go over the instructions for your application.
- Make sure you don't qualify for a Social Security number (SSN) and you need an ITIN.
- Go over your application to make sure you’ve answered all the questions.
- Make sure your documents are correct.
- Send us the documents we've asked for when you reply.
- Make sure the documents are translated into English if we've requested a translation. Use a certified translator.
- Complete and sign the response form at the end of your notice. Mail it to us with any documents we've requested.
Your deadline
Answer by the date printed on your notice. If there is no date, answer as soon as you can, and call the number on the notice if you need more time.
What to check before you answer
Is this letter really from the IRS?
The IRS writes first by mail. A real letter shows a notice or letter number, your name and part of your tax ID number. The IRS does not ask for payment by gift card, crypto or wire transfer. If in doubt, sign in to your IRS online account, where many notices are listed.
You may want to
- Contact us by calling the telephone number on your notice. Call 267-941-1000 (not a toll-free number) if you're outside the U.S.
- Obtain an ITIN from abroad .
- Visit a Taxpayer Assistance Center in the U.S.
Common questions
It is a number for you to use on federal tax documents.
A non-citizen who has to file a federal tax return or a tax reporting document and does not qualify for an SSN needs an ITIN.
In general, correct documentation is unexpired and has your photograph. It has the same name on it as on your application and tax return. It is from an organization authorized to issue it. The following documents can meet these conditions:
- a passport
- a visa (issued by the U.S. Department of State)
- a civil birth certificate
- a national, U.S. state, or military identification document
- a U.S. or foreign driver’s license
- a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Photo ID
- a foreign voter registration document or military card
- U.S. school records (for dependents only)
- U.S. medical records (for dependents only)
Foreign records must be from a country recognized by the U.S. State Department.
Medical records - We’ll accept medical records for dependents under 6 years of age. The records must be dated no more than 12 months from the date of the Form W-7 application. Refer to Publication 1915, Understanding Your IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) PDF , for a complete list of required elements for an acceptable medical record.
School records - We’ll accept school records for dependents under 18 years of age. The records must be for a school term ending no more than 12 months from the date of the Form W-7 application. Refer to Publication 1915, Understanding Your IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) PDF , for a complete list of required elements for an acceptable school record.
You have 45 days from the date of your notice to reply.
We will reject your application. You'll have to submit a new application for an ITIN.
Mail your reply to us at the address on the notice.
We'll process your return without an ITIN. You'll need to reapply for an ITIN and attach a copy of the return to your application to get a refund.
We'll return your documents within 60 days after we've processed your application.
You can call the telephone number on your notice with any questions.
Get my response letter for CP566 notice