Should I Get an IP PIN?

In recent years, tax-related identity theft has been a growing problem and has evolved into a major enterprise run by well-funded, technically sophisticated national and international criminal syndicates. In the 2024 filing season, the IRS flagged more than 2.1 million tax returns for identity fraud.

There are many ways to safeguard your personal tax information, but one important step you can take is to obtain an IP PIN from the IRS. The IP PIN is a special six-digit number which helps prevent someone else from fraudulently filing a tax return using your social security number (SSN) or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN).

According to the IRS more than 10.4 million taxpayers are now protecting themselves against tax-related identity theft by participating in the IP PIN program. Filers enrolled in this program have an extra layer of security when they file a tax return. It is a completely voluntary program, available to anyone with an SSN or ITIN.

An IP PIN is valid for one year. Each January, IRS generates a new IP PIN  that you must retrieve by signing in to your IRS online account. Once signed in to your account, click on Profile, then on Identify Protection PIN. The IRS used to mail notices with the new IP PINs each year, but they no longer do so. Once you have your current IP PIN, you must use it to confirm your identity on any return filed during the calendar year.

Warning: If you apply for an IP PIN, IRS will assign a new one every year thereafter which you must retrieve and use with all filings. Don’t forget to give us your new number along with your current year tax documents.

How do you go about obtaining an IP PIN? There are several options available:

1. If you already have an online account on IRS.gov, sign in to your account, click Profile, Identity Protection PIN, and Enroll in IP PIN.
2. If you don’t already have an individual IRS online account, you need to create one to validate your identity. Then use account to apply as described in 1 above.
3. If you cannot pass the IRS online identity authentication process, you can file Form 15227, Application for an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number. This option is only available to taxpayers with gross income below $84,000 for individuals or $168,000 for Married Filing Jointly.
4. Call 844-545-5640 to make an appointment for an in-person visit to an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center.
5. Warning: you may need to make an appointment with your therapist to deal with the anger created by trying to use a government bureaucracy to get something done. But don’t give up! Millions have done it!

An IP PIN is an important tool in your arsenal for protecting your identity. Please let us know if you have any questions or if we can be of assistance as you prepare for the 2025 tax filing season.