ITIN Number - Received but confused

[sunandoghosh]

Hi Friends,
I had applied for ITIN for my spouse by submitting ITIN form along with joint tax return (married filing jointly) for year 2010.
After months of chasing I finally got a letter from IRS.

My question is regarding this letter. The IRS has sent a "Record of Account" in which apart from lot many things ITIN number of spouse is mentioned.

I am wondering as to is that how IRS sends ITIN number info by sending "Record of Account"?

I was expecting a separate letter just stating ITIN number.

PLS clarify.

[kabkaba]

IRS normally issues a letter showing the ITIN or denying ITIN as applicable. For tax returns they sometimes use a temporary tax ID number (different from ITIN), and the tax records that you have may have that. Your spouse cannot use the temporary number for next year's return (while ITIN is valid until he/she receives SSN). Call IRS to inquire whether it is ITIN or temp number.

[sunandoghosh]

thank u for your guidance...after chasing for several months...they issued and that too seems like temporary...its really so frustrating.

I will call as suggested. Thanks