The inventory of paper PTIN applications (Forms W-12) is currently about 27,000.  The majority of applications are being processed within four to six weeks. 

Payments with paper PTIN applications are not cashed until processing is completed.  Any preparer who has a paper Form W-12 pending may still opt to register online at any time. 

If a preparer does this, when his or her paper application is processed, the system will determine that a PTIN has already been issued on line and the paper form and voided payment will be returned.

Approximately 1,700 forms are over six weeks old.  Processing has been attempted but not completed on these forms because the information submitted does not match IRS records.  Before rejecting any applications, the IRS is making a careful comparison of the information to ensure rejection is valid. 

Applicants are encouraged to carefully check information when applying for PTINs online or on paper. 

IRS analysis indicates many of the applications IRS has been unable to process have included incorrect SSNs and dates of birth. 

In addition, even after the IRS corrected a programming problem involving spouses on joint returns with different last names, the largest percentage of mismatches continues to be related to the last name.  Applicants should review their last income tax return and enter their name exactly as it appeared.