A PTIN costs $18.75 for 2026
Every paid tax preparer needs a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN), renewed each year. The fee for 2026 is $18.75: $10 to the IRS plus $8.75 to the IRS's contractor. That is $1 less than the $19.75 charged from 2021 to 2025.
PTIN fees
| IRS user fee | $10 |
|---|---|
| Third-party contractor fee | $8.75 |
| Total for 2026 | $18.75 |
| 2021 to 2025 | $19.75 |
| 2020 and earlier | No fee |
| 5 years of renewals at the 2026 fee | $93.75 |
|---|
The fee is non-refundable. PTINs expire December 31 each year. Paper Form W-12 needs a separate payment for each calendar year. Sources: IRS, PTIN application and renewal FAQ.
What this price covers
Anyone who prepares or helps prepare federal tax returns for pay must have a valid PTIN, and so must every enrolled agent.
What changes your price
- Year. Each calendar year needs its own fee.
Ways to pay less
- Renew online. It takes about 15 minutes. Paper takes about 6 weeks.
How we got these numbers
Every fee on this page comes from the IRS website or an IRS form. Where we show a total, we only add up the IRS's own fees so you can see the full amount in one place. We do not add our own guesses, and tax preparer or lawyer fees are not included. Fees can change, so check irs.gov before you pay. We last checked on September 26, 2026.
Common questions
How much is a PTIN?
$18.75 for 2026.
Is the PTIN fee refundable?
No.
When does a PTIN expire?
December 31 each year.