San Francisco IRS Office
What to bring to the San Francisco IRS office
TAC representatives do not process anything with a document missing — the visit ends and you rebook. Use this list for the San Francisco center at 450 Golden Gate Ave..
Every visit, no exceptions
- Current government photo ID — driver's license, state ID, passport or military ID. Expired IDs are not accepted.
- Your Social Security number or ITIN — the card, or any document showing the number.
- The return for the year in question, if your visit is about a specific tax year.
- Any IRS letter or notice that prompted the visit.
Originals only. Photocopies of IDs and passports are rejected at every Taxpayer Assistance Center.
Identity verification (Letter 5071C, 4883C, 5747C, 6331C)
- The letter itself
- The tax return referenced in the letter, if you filed one
- A prior-year tax return
- W-2s, 1099s and other supporting documents for the current return
- Two forms of ID, at least one with a photo
ITIN application or renewal (Form W-7)
The San Francisco office authenticates original documents, so your passport is returned during the appointment instead of mailed to Austin.
- Completed and signed Form W-7
- Your federal tax return, unless you qualify for an exception
- Original passport, or two other original documents from the IRS list (national ID, foreign birth certificate, foreign driver's license, US visa)
- For dependents under 18: proof of US residency such as school or medical records
- Every person named on the W-7 must attend
Making a payment
- The notice or bill, showing amount and tax period
- Check or money order payable to United States Treasury, with your SSN or ITIN, tax year and form number on the memo line
- Cash is not accepted at this office. Cash payments are possible only at designated centers, or at retail partners with a barcode from irs.gov.
Setting up a payment arrangement
- All outstanding notices
- Your most recent filed return
- A monthly amount you can realistically sustain
- Bank routing and account numbers if you want direct debit (lowest setup fee)
Tax transcript
- Photo ID and your taxpayer number. The transcript is printed while you wait.
- For someone else's transcript: Form 2848 or 8821, or estate appointment papers
Most people can skip the visit entirely: how to get a transcript online in minutes →
Form 2290 (Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax)
- Form 2290 completed, both pages, with Schedule 1 filled in
- Your Employer Identification Number — an SSN is not accepted on this form
- VIN and taxable gross weight of each vehicle
- Payment by check or money order
The stamped Schedule 1 is issued during the appointment. Form 2290 guide →
If someone is going for you
- Their own government photo ID
- Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) or Form 8821 (Tax Information Authorization), signed by you
Without one of those forms the representative cannot discuss your account at all.
Do not bring
Food, drinks, cameras and weapons are not allowed in federal buildings. Most centers have security screening at the entrance; allow five extra minutes.