What's an Identity Protection PIN? The IP PIN is a six-digit number assigned to eligible taxpayers to help prevent the misuse of their Social Security number on fraudulent federal income tax returns. An IP PIN helps the IRS verify a taxpayer’s identity and accept their electronic or paper tax return. When you have an IP PIN, it prevents someone else from filing a tax return with your SSN. Who’s eligible for an IP PIN? If you are a confirmed victim of identity theft and the IRS has resolved your tax account issues, we will mail you a CP01A Notice with your IP PIN. If you live in one of 20 locations, you are eligible for the online IP PIN Opt-In Program. To be eligible for 2020, you must have filed a federal return last year as a resident of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas or Washington. Please note: the IRS is expanding eligibility for the IP PIN Opt-In Program. States are being added in phases until the program moves nationwide. See Publication 5367, the IP PIN Opt-In Program for Taxpayers (PDF, in English and Spanish) PDF, for details on the program. How do I get an IP PIN? Confirmed identity theft victims will be mailed an IP PIN if their case is resolved prior to the start of the next filing season. Taxpayers who receive the annual IP PIN via mail but lose or fail to receive their CP01A Notice may use the Get an IP PIN tool to retrieve their number. Review Retrieve Your IP PIN for details. Taxpayers eligible for the IP PIN Opt-In Program must use the online Get an IP PIN tool. If you do not already have an account on IRS.gov, you must register to validate your identity. Before attempting to register, read about the secure access identity authentication process. Taxpayers cannot obtain an IP PIN by calling the IRS. To retrieve a lost IP PIN or, if eligible, to opt into the IP PIN program, select “Get an IP PIN” below to begin. Get an IP PIN Note: If you previously registered for an IP PIN, Get Transcript, View Your Tax Account or an Online Payment Agreement, you should log in with the same username and password. How do I use an IP PIN? Enter the six-digit IP PIN when prompted by your tax software product or provide it to your trusted tax professional preparing your tax return. An incorrect or missing IP PIN will result in the rejection of your e-filed return or a delay of your paper return until it can be verified. Do not reveal your IP PIN to anyone. It should be disclosed only to your tax professional and only when you are ready to sign and submit your return. The IRS will never ask for your IP PIN. Avoid phone, email or text scams trying to trick you into revealing your IP PIN. For additional information Please review the IP PIN FAQ page to any questions you may have.
