What Is an IRS IP PIN, and Should You Get One?
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Your Takeaways:
- An IRS Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) is a free six-digit number that helps prevent fraudulent federal tax returns filed using your Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
- Anyone with an SSN or ITIN who can verify their identity can request an IP PIN, including taxpayers living abroad and eligible dependents through a parent or legal guardian.
- The fastest way to get an IP PIN is through an IRS Online Account, though eligible taxpayers may also apply using Form 15227 or by visiting an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center.
- The IRS issues a new IP PIN every calendar year. If you have one, you must use the current year's PIN on every applicable federal tax return you file during that calendar year.
- If you lose your IP PIN, you can usually retrieve it through your IRS Online Account. Avoid sharing your PIN except with a trusted tax professional, and remember that the IRS will never ask for it by phone, email, text, or social media.
An IRS Identity Protection PIN, or IP PIN, is a free six-digit number that helps prevent someone else from filing a fraudulent federal tax return using your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
Anyone with an SSN or ITIN who can verify their identity may enroll, including taxpayers living abroad. Parents and legal guardians may also request an IP PIN for an eligible dependent. The IRS generates a new number each calendar year.
Consider requesting an IP PIN if your SSN, ITIN, or other tax-related information has been exposed, you have experienced identity theft, or you are concerned that someone may file a fraudulent return in your name. This guide explains who qualifies, how to request or retrieve an IP PIN, where to enter it, and what happens if it is missing from a return.
Source: IRS IP PIN
Quick answer: An IRS IP PIN is a free six-digit number that helps prevent someone else from filing a fraudulent federal tax return using your SSN or ITIN. Anyone who can verify their identity and has an SSN or ITIN may request one, including taxpayers abroad and eligible dependents. If an IP PIN is assigned to you, use the number issued for the current calendar year on every applicable federal return you file that year. |
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What Is an IRS IP PIN?
An Identity Protection Personal Identification Number is a six-digit number assigned by the IRS to verify the identity of a taxpayer filing a federal return. Keep the number private and share it only with a trusted tax professional when the return is ready to be prepared and filed.
Once an IP PIN is assigned, an applicable electronically filed federal return will be rejected if the required PIN is missing or incorrect.
An IP PIN is designed specifically to help prevent tax-related identity theft involving a fraudulent federal return. It does not protect credit cards, bank accounts, credit reports, or other non-tax accounts.
How Does an IP PIN Protect Your Tax Return?
Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses another person’s SSN or ITIN to file a fraudulent tax return.
The IRS uses the IP PIN to confirm that the person filing the return is authorized to use that SSN or ITIN.
An IP PIN:
- Causes an unauthorized e-filed return to be rejected when the required current PIN is missing or incorrect.
- Helps the IRS confirm that the person filing under your SSN or ITIN is authorized to use it.
- Helps block fraudulent federal returns filed under your SSN or ITIN, even during a year when you are not required to file.
Learn more about protecting your tax return: IRS Identity Theft Central
Who Can Request an IP PIN?
Anyone with an SSN or ITIN who can verify their identity may request an IP PIN at no cost.
Can taxpayers living abroad get an IP PIN?
Yes. Taxpayers living abroad may request an IP PIN if they have an SSN or ITIN and can complete the required identity verification.
Can a dependent get an IP PIN?
Yes. Parents and legal guardians may request an IP PIN for a dependent. A dependent age 18 or older may request an IP PIN through their own IRS Online Account after completing identity verification. A parent or legal guardian requesting one for a dependent who cannot apply online may submit Form 15227 or schedule an in-person appointment at a Taxpayer Assistance Center.
Should You Get an IRS IP PIN?
An IP PIN is voluntary for most taxpayers, and the IRS encourages taxpayers to consider it as protection against tax-related identity theft.
Consider requesting an IP PIN if you:
- Are concerned that someone may use your SSN or ITIN to file a fraudulent return.
- Learned that your SSN, ITIN, or other tax-related identifying information was exposed in a data breach.
- Have received signs that your tax-related identity information may be misused.
- Previously experienced tax-related identity theft or were notified by the IRS of suspected misuse.
- Are not required to file every year but want to block fraudulent returns filed under your SSN or ITIN.
Once an IP PIN is assigned, you are responsible for using the current number on every applicable federal return filed during that calendar year.
How to Get an IP PIN Online
The fastest way to request an IP PIN is through your IRS Online Account.
After signing in:
- Complete identity verification if you have not already established an account.
- Open the Profile tab and select the IP PIN section.
- Choose an available enrollment method, and view the number assigned for the current calendar year.
When enrolling through an IRS Online Account, you may be offered two choices:
- Continuous enrollment: You remain enrolled until you opt out, if eligible, and the IRS generates a new IP PIN each calendar year.
- One-time enrollment: You receive an IP PIN for the current calendar year and are removed from the program at year-end.
These options may not be available to taxpayers who were assigned an IP PIN because of confirmed tax-related identity theft.
If you choose continuous enrollment, retrieve the new IP PIN from your Online Account each year before filing.
Quick Comparison: IP PIN vs. IRS Online Account
IP PIN | IRS Online Account |
|---|---|
A six-digit number used to help prevent fraudulent federal return filings. | The IRS's secure online portal for managing your tax information. |
Used when filing your federal tax return. | Used to request, retrieve, or view your IP PIN, check balances, make payments, and access tax records. |
A new number is issued each calendar year. | The same account is used to access IRS services each year. |
Remember: Your IRS Online Account is the portal used to request or retrieve an IP PIN. The IP PIN is the six-digit number entered on an applicable federal return.
What If You Can't Verify Your Identity Online?
Taxpayers who cannot establish or access an IRS Online Account may apply by form or complete identity verification in person.
Can you apply for an IP PIN by form?
Yes. Form 15227 is available to new applicants who do not already have an assigned IP PIN, have an SSN or ITIN, meet the income limits, and can be reached by telephone for identity verification.
To use Form 15227, your adjusted gross income on your most recently filed return must be below:
- $84,000 for an individual filer
- $168,000 for married filing jointly
You must also have a valid SSN or ITIN and access to a telephone. The IRS uses the phone number provided on the form to verify your identity.
Source: IRS, Form 15227 and “Get an Identity Protection PIN”
Can you get an IP PIN in person?
Yes. If you cannot verify your identity online or by phone, do not qualify to use Form 15227, or encounter technical problems, call 844-545-5640 to schedule an appointment at a Taxpayer Assistance Center.
Bring the identity-verification documents requested by the IRS. After the IRS verifies your identity in person, the IP PIN is generally mailed rather than issued immediately.
Do You Get a New IP PIN Every Year?
Yes. The IRS generates a new six-digit IP PIN each calendar year, and the previous number expires.
Taxpayers in continuous enrollment who opted in online must retrieve the current calendar year’s IP PIN through their IRS Online Account before filing.
Do not reuse a prior year’s IP PIN, even when filing a prior-year return.
When Do You Need to Use Your IP PIN?
If an IP PIN has been assigned to you, enter the current calendar year’s number on each applicable federal return filed during that year, including:
- Applicable Forms 1040, 1040-NR, 1040-PR, 1040-SR, and 1040-SS filed during the calendar year
- Prior-year or delinquent Form 1040-series returns filed during the current calendar year
- Amended individual returns filed on Form 1040-X
Do not enter an IP PIN on a state return or Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File.
An electronic return with a missing or incorrect required IP PIN will be rejected. A paper return will be reviewed to verify the filer’s identity, which can delay processing and any refund.
Where do you enter a dependent’s IP PIN?
When e-filing, enter a dependent’s assigned IP PIN on the applicable Form 1040-series return and, when required, Form 2441 or Schedule EIC, Earned Income Credit. An electronic return may be rejected if the required dependent IP PIN is omitted. A dependent IP PIN generally is not entered on a paper return.
Source: IRS IP PIN FAQ
Can a Tax Professional Request an IP PIN for You?
No. A tax professional cannot enroll you in the IP PIN program or retrieve your number from the IRS.
You must request or retrieve the IP PIN yourself. Share it only with a trusted tax professional when that person is preparing and submitting your return.
Can You File Taxes Online With an IP PIN?
Yes. An IP PIN can be used on either an electronically filed or paper federal return. Enter the current calendar year’s six-digit IP PIN when prompted by the tax software, or provide it to your trusted preparer when the return is ready to be filed.
Enter the six-digit IP PIN exactly as issued. A missing or incorrect PIN will cause an electronic return to be rejected.
Quick IP PIN Checklist Before You File
Before filing an applicable federal return:
- Confirm whether the IRS assigned an IP PIN to you, your spouse, or any dependent claimed on the return.
- Retrieve the IP PIN issued for the current calendar year.
- Do not use a PIN from a prior calendar year.
- Store it securely until all applicable returns for the calendar year are filed.
- Enter it on every applicable Form 1040-series return or Form 1040-X filed that calendar year.
- Share it only with a trusted tax professional when the return is ready for filing.
- Treat any unsolicited request for an IP PIN as a scam.
What Happens If You Lose Your IP PIN?
If the current IP PIN is lost or unavailable, sign in to your IRS Online Account and open the IP PIN section under Profile.
If you do not have an account, you must create one and complete identity verification before viewing the PIN.
If you cannot access your Online Account, call:
- 800-908-4490 from within the United States
- 267-941-1000 from outside the United States
If the IRS verifies your identity and permits mail reissuance, it generally sends the PIN to the address on file within 21 days.
The IRS generally will not reissue an IP PIN by mail if:
- You enrolled for the first time during the current calendar year
- You request it during the annual maintenance period, normally November through mid-January
In those situations, retrieve the number through your Online Account. Do not e-file until you have the current IP PIN. If you cannot access the account, you may file by paper without the PIN, but additional identity verification may delay processing and any refund.
A minor dependent’s IP PIN cannot be retrieved online. Call 800-908-4490 to request that it be reissued by mail.
Note: Do not submit Form 15227 to replace a lost IP PIN. The form is only for taxpayers making a new request to enter the program.
Source: IRS, Didn't receive or lost your identity protection PIN (IP PIN)?
How to Avoid IP PIN Scams
Protect your IP PIN by following these rules:
- The IRS will never call, email, text, or contact you through social media to request your IP PIN. Do not send the number through any of those channels.
- Do not use an unsolicited link to request, verify, or retrieve an IP PIN. Navigate directly to IRS.gov.
See our guide to common tax scams for warning signs and steps to take after a suspicious IRS-related message.
Is an IP PIN Worth Getting?
An IP PIN can be worthwhile if you are concerned about fraudulent tax filings or know that your identifying information has been exposed. Once enrolled, remember to retrieve and use the current number on every applicable federal return filed that calendar year.
Before filing, retrieve the IP PIN issued for the current calendar year and keep it available while completing your return. When you begin your federal return with FileTax.com, have the six-digit number ready to enter when needed.
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Frequently Asked Questions About IRS IP PINs
Anyone with an SSN or ITIN who can verify their identity may request one. Parents and legal guardians may also request an IP PIN for an eligible dependent.
