PTIN Renewal for 2027: Fee, Deadline and Steps for Tax Preparers

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This guide summarizes the IRS’s own PTIN pages, reviewed on 25 October 2026. Fees, dates and steps can change, so confirm on the IRS PTIN page before you pay. Cloud Innovics is not affiliated with the IRS.

If you are paid to prepare federal tax returns, you need a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) for every year you do it, and the IRS opens renewal for the next year in the middle of October. This is a checklist of who has to renew, what it costs, and how to do it without losing a day in filing season.

Who Needs to Renew a PTIN

The IRS says that anyone who prepares, or assists in preparing, federal tax returns for compensation must have a valid PTIN before preparing returns. Enrolled agents must also hold a valid PTIN. PTINs belong to the individual, not to the business or firm, so each preparer in your office needs their own.

If you are leaving return preparation, you can place your PTIN in voluntary inactive status. You cannot prepare returns for pay while it is inactive.

When PTINs Expire and When Renewal Opens

  • PTINs expire on December 31 every year.
  • Renewal for the next year opens in mid-October. The IRS is currently processing 2027 applications and renewals.

There is no reason to wait. Renewing in the autumn means you have a valid number before the first returns of the season.

What It Costs

  • The fee for 2027 is $18.75: $10 for the IRS and $8.75 for the contractor that runs the system.
  • The 2026 fee was also $18.75. For 2021 to 2025 it was $19.75.
  • The fee is non-refundable and non-transferable, and it is separate from the cost of any other credential or license you hold.

What to Have Ready

The IRS suggests gathering these before you start:

  1. Your name and mailing address.
  2. Your business name and mailing address.
  3. Explanations of any felony convictions, if they apply to you.
  4. Explanations of any problems meeting your own individual or business tax obligations, if they apply to you.
  5. A credit, debit or ATM card for the fee.
  6. Details of any U.S.-based professional credential, such as a CPA, attorney, enrolled agent, enrolled retirement plan agent, enrolled actuary, certified acceptance agent or state license: the certification number, the issuing jurisdiction and the expiration date.

If a credential has no expiration date, the IRS says to enter December 31 of the year you are renewing for, for example 12/31/2027 for 2027.

How to Renew Online

  1. Log in to your account in the IRS Tax Pro PTIN system at rpr.irs.gov.
  2. Choose the renewal option and verify your personal information.
  3. Answer the questions about your credentials and tax compliance.
  4. Pay the $18.75 fee by card or eCheck and keep the confirmation.

The IRS says online renewal takes about 15 minutes. If your account does not show a “Renew my PTIN” option during renewal season, call the PTIN Information Line at 877-613-7846 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Central).

Most PTIN correspondence arrives as secure messages inside your PTIN account, so make sure the email address on the account is one you check regularly. If you cannot log in, use the “Forgot your password” link first, and check your junk folder for the temporary password email.

Renewing on Paper

You can renew by mail with Form W-12 and payment. The IRS says paper renewal takes about six weeks, so it is a poor choice close to filing season. Each calendar year needs its own check or money order, labeled with the year.

If Your PTIN Has Already Expired

  • You must renew for each past year in which you prepared federal returns for pay (or were an enrolled agent).
  • If your PTIN has been inactive or expired for more than three consecutive calendar years, you must submit a new registration application.

Common Mistakes

  • Waiting until December. Online renewal is quick, but a problem with your login or credential details can take days to sort out.
  • Using a shared office email. The PTIN belongs to you, and the IRS sends messages to your account, not to the firm.
  • Forgetting credential dates. Check your CPA, EA or state license expiration before you start.
  • Paying a third party. The IRS fee is the one listed above. Be careful with sites that charge extra to “help” you renew.

After You Renew

A valid PTIN is the first step before filing season. If you are also setting up your e-file and software for the season, check that your tax software is ready and reachable from wherever your preparers work. Cloud Innovics hosts Drake, Lacerte, ProSeries and ATX on secure cloud servers, and you keep your own software license.

Sources: IRS pages “PTIN requirements for tax return preparers” (reviewed 15 Oct 2026), “Frequently asked questions: PTIN application/renewal assistance” (reviewed 14 Oct 2026) and “PTIN renewal checklist” (reviewed 9 Oct 2026). Check these pages for the latest details.

Next in this series: How to get an EFIN: the IRS e-file application steps and timeline.