The IRS is urging tax return preparers to renew their preparer tax identification number now for 2027.
Tax professionals who prepare tax returns must have a valid PTIN, which must be renewed each year. Current PTINs expire on Dec. 31, 2026.
“The PTIN program helps the IRS identify legitimate paid preparers and reinforces the responsibility that comes with preparing federal tax returns,” IRS CEO Frank Bisignano said in a statement on Nov. 4. “IRS appreciates the time and effort that tax practitioners take each year to comply with the requirement to renew or obtain a PTIN.”
The quickest way to renew a PTIN is online through the IRS PTIN System. Online renewal generally takes about 15 minutes, the IRS says.
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To renew:
- Access the PTIN system on IRS.gov.
- Sign in to PTIN account and select “Renew my PTIN.”
- Review and update account information.
- Submit the application and pay the $18.75 fee, which is nonrefundable and nontransferable.
Once completed, applicants receive confirmation of their PTIN renewal.
Tax professionals who would rather renew by mail can submit Form W-12, IRS Paid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) Application and Renewal. Paper applications can take about six weeks to process.
PTIN renewal is separate from enrolled agent renewal. Enrolled agents whose Social Security numbers end in 7, 8, or 9, as well as those without an SSN, are in the current enrollment renewal cycle, which runs through Jan. 31, 2027. Enrolled agents should also renew their PTINs for 2027, the IRS says.
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