The IRS issues an alert for tax preparers to renew their Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTIN) for the 2026 tax season. The agency has opened the 2026 renewal period, so if you are a tax preparer, learn how to renew and all the details of PTIN renewal.
Tax professionals need to have a valid PTIN to prepare tax returns or file for a refund for compensation, and they have to renew it every year to maintain their active status. The agency estimates more than 800,000 tax preparers will need to renew or apply for their PTIN.
The PTIN renewal cycle began for the 2025 tax year on 16 October 2025. The PTIN issued earlier for the 2025 tax season will expire by 31 December 2025, so you should renew it before it expires for the 2026 tax season; otherwise, you will face penalties.
What’s new for the 2026 tax season PTIN system?
The IRS has made some changes for the 2026 tax season in the PTIN system, so if you are a tax preparer, you should know that the system now uses the secure sign-in option. The agency has announced that the tax professional should use the new sign-in option: ID.me.
ID.me is great for identity verification, securely accessing the IRS tax rolls, and sign-in services. The tax preparers who have a Social Security Number will be automatically directed to the ID.me login system.
So, if you do not have an ID.me, you should create one, and if you do not have an SSN, you can access the PTIN system through your current sign-in method.
What’s the fee for renewing the PTIN?
The US Department of the Treasury has issued the regulations and user fee for the tax professionals applying for PYIN renewal. Based on the Treasury Department and IRS Return Preparer Office biennial review, the cost for renewing a PTIN will be between $10 and $11, with an additional $8.75 that will be paid to a third party.
The new PTIN renewal fee is $10 (user fee) + 8.75, effective from 16 October 2025. The fee is non-refundable, so when you prepare to renew your PTIN, prepare the total $18.75 fee too and file the valid application.
How to renew your PTIN?
The IRS encourages the tax professional to apply for the PTIN Renewal online because it will just take 15 minutes to complete the application. Here you can follow the steps below to complete your PTIN renewal:
- Go to the IRS official website for tax professionals at https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals
- Now, go to the PTIN system and click the “Renew or Register” option.
- If you have a PTIN online account, click the Login option, or create an account if you don’t have one, or sign in with ID.me.
- You must enter your password and User ID to enter the PTIN online system.
- Once you access the system, you should select the Renew my PTIN option and complete the renewal application.
- Once the application is completed, you will receive the confirmation from the portal of PTIN renewal.
If you can’t access the PTIN online system or wish to apply for the renewal offline, you can go for the paper option, that is:
- Using Form W-12, PTIN Application and Renewal form PDF
- An offline application will take around 6 weeks to process and renew your PTIN, so do check your application timeline with the PTIN expiration date.
What are the penalties if you do not renew your PTIN?
If you do not renew your PTIN, you will have to pay a penalty to use a valid PTIN afterwards. According to the IRS, if you do not have a valid PTIN, you can face the Internal Revenue Code section 6695 penalties, disciplinary action, and injunction from the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility.
The tax preparer can challenge some penalties, but you will have to pay the interest on the penalties if the penalty remains unpaid, so do check with the IRS if any penalty is imposed on you.
IRS has warned the tax preparer to renew their PTIN for the upcoming tax season, as the renewal period is open from 16 October 2025. If you are a tax preparer, renew your PTIN for the next tax season before it expires.
Disclaimer: This alert concerns IRS guidance for tax preparers. Verify requirements and deadlines through official IRS communications.
