[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 26, Volume 18]
[Revised as of April 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 26CFR301.6109-3]

[Page 94-95]
 
                       TITLE 26--INTERNAL REVENUE
 
    CHAPTER I--INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 
                               (CONTINUED)
 
PART 301_PROCEDURE AND ADMINISTRATION--Table of Contents
 
                         Information and Returns
 
Sec. 301.6109-3  IRS adoption taxpayer identification numbers.

    (a) In general--(1) Definition. An IRS adoption taxpayer 
identification number (ATIN) is a temporary taxpayer identifying number 
assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to a child (other than an 
alien individual as defined in Sec. 301.6109-1(d)(3)(i)) who has been 
placed, by an authorized placement agency, in the household of a 
prospective adoptive parent for legal adoption. An ATIN is assigned to 
the child upon application for use in connection with filing 
requirements under the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations 
thereunder. When an adoption becomes final, the adoptive parent must 
apply for a social security number for the

[[Page 95]]

child. After the social security number is assigned, that number, rather 
than the ATIN, must be used as the child's taxpayer identification 
number on all returns, statements, or other documents required under the 
Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder.
    (2) Expiration and extension. An ATIN automatically expires two 
years after the number is assigned. However, upon request, the IRS may 
grant an extension if the IRS determines the extension is warranted.
    (b) Definitions. For purposes of this section--
    (1) Authorized placement agency has the same meaning as in Sec. 
1.152-2(c) of this chapter;
    (2) Prospective adoptive child or child means a child who has not 
been adopted, but who has been placed in the household of a prospective 
adoptive parent for legal adoption by an authorized placement agency; 
and
    (3) Prospective adoptive parent or parent means an individual in 
whose household a prospective adoptive child is placed by an authorized 
placement agency for legal adoption.
    (c) General rule for obtaining a number--(1) Who may apply. A 
prospective adoptive parent may apply for an ATIN for a child if--
    (i) The prospective adoptive parent is eligible to claim a personal 
exemption under section 151 with respect to the child;
    (ii) An authorized placement agency places the child with the 
prospective adoptive parent for legal adoption;
    (iii) The Social Security Administration will not process an 
application for an SSN by the prospective adoptive parent on behalf of 
the child (for example, because the adoption is not final); and
    (iv) The prospective adoptive parent has used all reasonable means 
to obtain the child's assigned social security number, if any, but has 
been unsuccessful in obtaining this number (for example, because the 
biological parent who obtained the number is not legally required to 
disclose the number to the prospective adoptive parent).
    (2) Procedure for obtaining an ATIN. If the requirements of 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section are satisfied, the prospective adoptive 
parent may apply for an ATIN for a child on Form W-7A, Application for 
Taxpayer Identification Number for Pending Adoptions (or such other form 
as may be prescribed by the IRS). An application for an ATIN should be 
made far enough in advance of the first intended use of the ATIN to 
permit issuance of the ATIN in time for such use. An application for an 
ATIN must include the information required by the form and accompanying 
instructions, including the name and address of each prospective 
adoptive parent and the child's name and date of birth. In addition, the 
application must include such documentary evidence as the IRS may 
prescribe to establish that a child was placed in the prospective 
adoptive parent's household by an authorized placement agency for legal 
adoption. Examples of acceptable documentary evidence establishing 
placement for legal adoption by an authorized placement agency may 
include--
    (i) A copy of a placement agreement entered into between the 
prospective adoptive parent and an authorized placement agency;
    (ii) An affidavit or letter signed by the adoption attorney or 
government official who placed the child for legal adoption pursuant to 
state law;
    (iii) A document authorizing the release of a newborn child from a 
hospital to a prospective adoptive parent for adoption; and
    (iv) A court document ordering or approving the placement of a child 
for adoption.
    (d) Effective date. The provisions of this section apply to income 
tax returns due (without regard to extension) on or after April 15, 
1998.

[T.D. 8839, 64 FR 51242, Sept. 22, 1999]