ITIN Reform Act of 2015

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require that ITIN applicants submit their application in person at taxpayer assistance centers, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the ITIN Reform Act of 2015 2. Requirements for the issuance of ITINs (a) In general Section 6109 (i) Special rules relating to the issuance of ITINs (1) In general The Secretary may issue an individual taxpayer identification number to an individual only if the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3) are met. (2) In-person application The requirements of this paragraph are met if, with respect to an application for an individual taxpayer identification number— (A) the applicant submits an application in person, using Form W–7 (or any successor thereof) and including the required documentation, at a taxpayer assistance center of the Internal Revenue Service, or (B) in the case of an applicant who resides outside of the United States, the applicant submits the application in person to an employee of the Internal Revenue Service or a designee of the Secretary at a United States diplomatic mission or consular post, together with the required documentation. (3) Initial on-site verification of documentation The requirements of this paragraph are met if, with respect to each application, an employee of the Internal Revenue Service at the taxpayer assistance center, or the employee or designee described in paragraph (2)(B), as the case may be, conducts an initial verification of the documentation supporting the application submitted under paragraph (2). (4) Required documentation For purposes of this subsection— (A) required documentation includes such documentation as the Secretary may require that proves the individual’s identity and foreign status, and (B) the Secretary may only accept original documents. (5) Exceptions (A) Military spouses Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the spouse, or the dependents, without a social security number of a taxpayer who is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States. (B) Treaty benefits Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a nonresident alien applying for an individual taxpayer identification number for the purpose of claiming tax treaty benefits. (6) Term (A) In general An individual taxpayer identification number issued after the date of the enactment of this subsection shall be valid only for the 5-year period which includes the taxable year of the individual for which such number is issued and the 4 succeeding taxable years. (B) Renewal of ITIN Such number shall be valid for an additional 5-year period only if it is renewed through an application which satisfies the requirements under paragraphs (2) and (3). (C) Special rule for existing ITINs In the case of an individual with an individual taxpayer identification number issued on or before the date of the enactment of this subsection, such number shall not be valid after the earlier of— (i) the end of the 3-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this subsection, or (ii) the first taxable year beginning after— (I) the date of the enactment of this subsection, and (II) any taxable year for which the individual (or, if a dependent, on which the individual is included) did not make a return. . (b) Interest Section 6611 of such Code is amended by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i) and by inserting after subsection (g) the following new subsection: (h) Special rule relating to ITINs Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no interest shall be allowed or paid to or on behalf of an individual with respect to any overpayment until 45 days after an individual taxpayer identification number is issued to the individual. . (c) Audit by TIGTA Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every two years thereafter, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration shall conduct an audit of the program of the Internal Revenue Service for the issuance of individual taxpayer identification numbers pursuant to section 6109(i) (d) Effective date (1) Subsection (a) The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to requests for individual taxpayer identification numbers made after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Subsection (b) The amendment made by subsection (b) shall apply to returns due, claims filed, and refunds paid after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: ITIN Reform Act of 2015 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Department of the Treasury to issue an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) to an individual only if such individual: (1) submits an application for an ITIN in person at an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) taxpayer assistance center with required documentation, or (2) submits an application in person outside of the United States to an IRS employee or a designee of Treasury at a U.S. diplomatic mission or consular post with required documentation. Exempts from such requirements: (1) the spouse, or the dependents, without a social security number of a taxpayer who is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, and (2) nonresident aliens claiming tax treaty benefits. Requires the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to audit, on a biennial basis, the IRS program for issuance of ITINs pursuant to this Act and report to Congress on such audit.