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Mid-Day Validation Process

TINS maintains a mid-day validation process as a tool to provide agencies with feedback on the status of a TIN and/or mail code, as well as the assigned 7 TINs for SSN- and ITIN-based numbers. When an agency is preparing to make payments to TINs, the agency may submit a batch file with the 11-digit TINs and/or TINs and mail codes. The submitted 1, 2, 3 or 7 TINs will be validated or matched against TINS, which will send back an output batch file with information messages regarding the TIN and mail code.

The mid-day process also allows agencies to submit input files with a request to reactivate mail codes that were inactivated during the monthly mail code cleanup inactivation process if the Address Indicator on Payee Mail Code Information (PYADDR) screen has a value of S, F, M or T. The Address Indicator cannot be Blank.

Note: This process does not include validation of mail code addresses.

Access Required and File Layout

Agencies not currently using the TINS mid-day validation process must first perform a test in TINS Agency Setup. Contact Payment Services at tins.mail@cpa.texas.gov with notification of your agency’s intent to submit a mid-day test file. Payment Services will coordinate a technical request to set up your agency for receipt of a test file and notify you when a test file can be submitted. Your agency then performs its own testing in the TINS test environment, per IR 20115 (06/15/18). After successful testing, contact Payment Services to coordinate setting up your agency to submit live mid-day files.

See File Layouts and Check-Digit Algorithms (login required) for the mid-day validation input file positions.

Note: You need access to the TINS restricted technical documentation on FMX to access the file layout. If you need to request security access, contact your agency security coordinator (Comptroller user ID required).

Process Overview

When an agency is preparing to make payments to its payees, the agency may submit an input file via batch with the payees’ 11-digit TINs and/or TINs and mail codes. The submitted 1, 2, 3 or 7 TINs and/or mail codes will be validated and matched against TINS, which will send back an output file on the submitted TIN and mail code. This process can also reactivate mail codes that meet the criteria.

The output file will include the randomly assigned 7 TINs when a 2 TIN is submitted, as well as whether:

  • The submitted TIN validates against the federal validation criteria for SSNs, ITINs and EINs.
  • The submitted TIN and/or mail code is already set up in TINS or if a payee master and/or mail code setup is required.
  • The submitted TIN and/or mail code is active or inactive (if the number already exists in TINS).