A rejection means the IRS found a specific, fixable problem with your Form W-7 or supporting documents — it's different from a denial, which is a decision about eligibility. See fix-itin-application for the full rejected-vs-denied comparison.
Common reasons the IRS rejects Form W-7
- An incorrect or mismatched reason code (a–h) for your actual situation.
- An expired passport or ID document.
- A document combination that isn't on the IRS's accepted list.
- Missing signature, or a missing attached tax return where one is required.
- Name or date-of-birth mismatches between the form and your identity document.
How to fix a rejected application and resubmit
The IRS notice will state the specific reason. Correct only that issue — don't rebuild the whole package from scratch — and resubmit with a clear cover note referencing the original notice. Check the accepted-documents list if the issue was document-related.
