WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Internal Revenue Service is urging more than 800,000 paid tax professionals across the nation to renew their Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTINs) before the end of the year, warning that failure to do so could jeopardize their ability to legally prepare returns for the 2026 filing season.
All individuals who prepare or assist in preparing federal tax returns for compensation must hold a valid PTIN and include it on every return or refund claim submitted to the IRS. Enrolled agents—federally authorized tax practitioners—are also required to renew their PTINs annually, regardless of whether they actively prepare returns.
PTINs for the 2025 filing year will expire on December 31, 2025. Renewal for 2026 is now open, with a nonrefundable fee of $18.75.
The IRS strongly recommends online renewal, a process that typically takes less than 15 minutes through the PTIN system at IRS.gov/taxpros. Paper renewals using Form W-12 remain available but can take up to six weeks for processing.
To renew online, tax professionals must log in, select “Renew my PTIN,” and follow on-screen prompts to confirm their information. Once complete, applicants receive immediate confirmation of renewal.
The agency has also implemented a major security update for the 2026 renewal cycle. Tax preparers with Social Security numbers will now sign in through ID.me, a digital identity verification platform already used for taxpayer authentication across multiple IRS systems. Those without Social Security numbers will continue using their current sign-in process.
In addition to renewal, the PTIN system allows users to review continuing education credits, check the number of returns filed under their PTIN, monitor messages from the IRS Return Preparer Office, and track participation in the Annual Filing Season Program.
The IRS emphasized that maintaining an active PTIN is not optional. Anyone preparing federal tax returns for compensation without one may face penalties and disciplinary action.
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