CAA Forensic Document Training Course

Certifying Acceptance Agents are able to certify identity documents in-house for ITIN applications without having to physically submit these documents to the IRS. Forensic document training allows for expedited processing of ITIN applications as well as allowing your clients piece of mind not having to part with their passports, birth certificates, and other sensitive ID documents.

The forensic document training course is one of several requirements for applying for CAA status with the IRS. Be sure to review the CAA application process in detail to make sure that you have completed all necessary steps before submitting your application. For more information on the new application process visit the recently updated IRS' Acceptance Agent application tutorial here: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/acceptance-agent-application-tutorial.pdf

Prior to the IRS moratorium, the CAA application process was facilitated by completing form 13551 and submitting this via regular mail along with your Forensic Document Training certificate. The typical timeframe for IRS CAA application review was approximately 60 days. The IRS is currently finalizing their update of this enrollment process to take the application process online and dramatically reduce the timeframe it takes to process applications. Final details on this new online application process and the related timeframes associated will be updated once the new process details are formalized by the IRS.

With the reopening of the CAA program, the IRS has now converted the entire application and renewal process to be online and handled through your IRS e-services account (the same account where you manage your EFIN). This new process will allow for digital uploading of your course completion certificates, but the IRS has stated that they prefer you to scan or take a picture of your physical CAA completion certificate that you receive in the mail and upload that along with any supporting Identification documents or professional credentials. While this sounds contradictory, this is the latest information we have received. Your completion certificate will be mailed out to you directly to the address you provide upon completion.

Q: Do I have to upload both the signed last page of the IRS ITIN Acceptance Agent Training slide show and the CAA Forensic Document Training course completion certificate?
A: No you only need to upload your CAA Forensic Document Training course completion certificate

Q: Do I have to have my own IRS eservices account if I am just going to be an employee doing CAA ITIN applications working for an employer?
A: Yes if you are going to be doing certified ITIN applications you will need your own individual IRS eservices account as well as your employer having their own account also.

Q: Is there a phone number that I can call to speak with the IRS regarding my CAA application.
A: Unfortunately the IRS only allows for correspondence via email. You should send an email to itinprogramoffice@irs.gov

Q: If I have multiple people in my office that are going to be completing ITIN returns as CAAs do each one of them need to complete an application through IRS eservices?
A: Yes, each individual will need to complete their own Acceptance Agent Application so that they can individually sign their own Jurat. The office owner’s “master application” will need to add each individual as a responsible official and alternate contact and upload the individual's CAA Forensic Document Training certificate using the master office Customer ID.

Q: Can I upload the digital version of the CAA Forensic Document Training certificate when completing my Acceptance Agent application through IRS eservices?
A: No, you must upload a scan or picture of the actual physically printed certificate, showing the official raised seal. The IRS does not allow for digitally generated certificates to be used.

Q: Is there a tutorial on the new CAA application / renewal process?
A: Yes, IRS has created a tutorial on the new process that can be accessed online here: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-wi/acceptance-agent-application-tutorial.pdf

Q: Do I have to do forensic document training each year?
A: No, you only need to complete the forensic document training program every 4 years in
conjunction with your CAA agreement renewal.

Q: Where do I find my Customer ID that is needed for the CAA application?
A: Your unique Customer ID is Located on the top of your application summary page in your IRS eServices account.

1. Complete Forensic Document Training course. Receive digital certificates of completion via email and in your My CE Tracking.
2. Complete IRS ITIN Tax Law training. Print, sign and date the last slide. IRS Acceptance Agent Training Slideshow
3. Complete CAA online application through your IRS e-Services account: IRS e-Services
4. Upload your required documentation to the IRS (Forensic Document Training Certificate, Professional Credentials, Citizenship Documents) via the document upload tool which can be found at: https://apps.irs.gov/app/digital-mailroom/caa/

For more information regarding the new online application and/or renewal process see the IRS published application instructions here: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/acceptance-agent-application-tutorial.pdf