CAA Forensic 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: Is the IRS planning on continuing the CAA program?
A: Yes, the IRS suspended the program in August of 2022 and the IRS has relayed their full intentions in reactivating the program after some improvements in administrative processing.

Q: When is the CAA program going to become available again for new applicants and renewals?
A: The IRS originally had a tentative re-start date of "Summer of 2023". This projected start date has now been changed to "Late 2023" and the official date when the moratorium will be lifted has not yet been announced.

Q: Will Forensic Document Training still be required for CAA applications and renewals?
A: Yes, Certifying Acceptance Agents must complete Forensic Document Identification Training.

Q: Will the Forensic Document Training course and/or content change after the CAA moratorium ends?
A: The IRS has indicated that providers do not need to make any changes to existing Forensic Document Training course content.

Q: What changes are the IRS making to the CAA program.
A: The ITIN Program Office at the IRS has not officially released details on the extent of their overhaul of the CAA program, however, IRS has indicated they intend to convert the 13551 application and renewal process over to being electronic going forward. Fingerprinting (if applicable) will also be converted over to a digital process.

Q: Where can I get more information about the CAA moratorium and the IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent program changes?
A: The IRS has created a page dedicated to the changes to the CAA program: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/new-itin-acceptance-agent-program-changes

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 (Forensic Document Training Certificate, Acceptance Training completion verification, 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