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IRS IP PIN: What It Is, How to Get One
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do not influence our editors’ opinions or ratingsHow to Get an Identity Protection PIN from the IRS
An Identity Protection PIN from the IRS can help protect your tax return from potential fraud.
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Editor & Content Strategist
6 years of experience Expertise Investing for beginners financial advice long-term investingAlana Benson is an editor who joined NerdWallet in 2019. Historically she has covered a wide variety of investing topics including stocks, socially responsible investing, cryptocurrency, mutual funds, HSAs and financial advice. She is also a frequent contributor to NerdWallet's "Smart Money" podcast. Alana has appeared on FOX Houston and the "PennyWise" podcast and has been quoted in MarketWatch and The Sun. Before joining NerdWallet, she wrote two books on identity theft and several young adult nonfiction titles. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Associated Press, MSN, Yahoo Finance and MarketWatch.
Alana Benson is an editor who joined NerdWallet in 2019. Historically she has covered a wide variety of investing topics including stocks, socially responsible investing, cryptocurrency, mutual funds, HSAs and financial advice. She is also a frequent contributor to NerdWallet's "Smart Money" podcast. Alana has appeared on FOX Houston and the "PennyWise" podcast and has been quoted in MarketWatch and The Sun. Before joining NerdWallet, she wrote two books on identity theft and several young adult nonfiction titles. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Associated Press, MSN, Yahoo Finance and MarketWatch. Published in Editor & Content Strategist + more + more
Head of Content, Investing & Taxes
19 years of experience Expertise Retirement planning investment management investment accountsArielle O’Shea leads the investing and taxes team at NerdWallet. She has covered personal finance and investing for nearly 20 years, and was a senior writer and spokesperson at NerdWallet before becoming an editor. Previously, she was a researcher and reporter for leading personal finance journalist and author Jean Chatzky, a role that included developing financial education programs, interviewing subject matter experts and helping to produce television and radio segments. Arielle has appeared on the "Today" show, NBC News and ABC's "World News Tonight," and has been quoted in national publications including The New York Times, MarketWatch and Bloomberg News. She is based in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Arielle O’Shea leads the investing and taxes team at NerdWallet. She has covered personal finance and investing for nearly 20 years, and was a senior writer and spokesperson at NerdWallet before becoming an editor. Previously, she was a researcher and reporter for leading personal finance journalist and author Jean Chatzky, a role that included developing financial education programs, interviewing subject matter experts and helping to produce television and radio segments. Arielle has appeared on the "Today" show, NBC News and ABC's "World News Tonight," and has been quoted in national publications including The New York Times, MarketWatch and Bloomberg News. She is based in Charlottesville, Virginia. Published in Head of Content, Investing & Taxes + more + moreIdentity theft and tax refund fraud are issues no one wants to spend time thinking about, but everyone should. Untangling the mess a fraudster leaves behind can take months, or even years, so taking precautions to protect your identity now is well worth it. The IRS has made taking those precautions easier by making Identity Protection PINs available to all U.S. taxpayers.
Identity theft and tax refund fraud are issues no one wants to spend time thinking about, but everyone should. Untangling the mess a fraudster leaves behind can take months, or even years, so taking precautions to protect your identity now is well worth it. The IRS has made taking those precautions easier by making Identity Protection PINs available to all U.S. taxpayers. AD Owe $10,000+ or More? This Tax Season Could Be Your Chance to Qualify Each year the IRS writes off millions in tax debt, yet few have applied. Learn moreon Anthem Tax Services' website
AD Let’s resolve your tax issues: Tax Relief & Resolution Services for IRS Tax Debt Certified Enrolled Agents, CPAs, and Tax Attorneys on your case. Learn moreon TaxRise's website
What is an IRS IP PIN?
What is an IRS IP PIN?An Identity Protection PIN is a six-digit number given to you by the IRS to prevent anyone else from filing a tax return using your Social Security number. Once you receive an IP PIN, you’ll need to use it when you file your taxes. Your IP PIN should be shared only with your tax professional or when you file using tax software.
An Identity Protection PIN is a six-digit number given to you by the IRS to prevent anyone else from filing a tax return using your Social Security number. Once you receive an IP PIN, you’ll need to use it when you file your taxes . Your IP PIN should be shared only with your tax professional or when you file using tax software.According to the IRS, an IP PIN will help secure your account: Electronic returns without the right IP PIN will be rejected, and paper returns will be subject to additional fraud checks.
According to the IRS, an IP PIN will help secure your account: Electronic returns without the right IP PIN will be rejected, and paper returns will be subject to additional fraud checks.Who can get an IP PIN from the IRS?
Who can get an IP PIN from the IRS?IP PINs used to only be available in certain states, but the IRS expanded the program nationwide in 2021. All individual taxpayers can opt in to voluntarily receive an IP PIN. Spouses and dependents can also receive IP PINs as long as they pass the identification process.
IP PINs used to only be available in certain states, but the IRS expanded the program nationwide in 2021. All individual taxpayers can opt in to voluntarily receive an IP PIN. Spouses and dependents can also receive IP PINs as long as they pass the identification process.How to get an IP PIN
How to get an IP PIN1. Create an IRS account if you don’t already have one. To create an account on the IRS website via ID.me self-service, you’ll need the following:
1. Create an IRS account 1. Create an IRS account if you don’t already have one if you don’t already have one . To create an account on the IRS website via ID.me self-service, you’ll need the following:Your Social Security number.
Your Social Security number.Your email address.
Your email address.A photo ID (such as your passport, diver’s license or state ID).
A photo ID (such as your passport, diver’s license or state ID).A phone or computer with photo and video capabilities.
A phone or computer with photo and video capabilities.If at any point in this process the IRS can’t verify your information, you can skip to step three for alternative ways to apply.
If at any point in this process the IRS can’t verify your information, you can skip to step three for alternative ways to apply.2. Use the online tool to get an IP PIN. After you create an online account, use the “Get an IP Pin” button on the IRS website to register for a PIN. You can access the IP PIN tool from mid-January through mid-November
2. Use the online tool to get an IP PIN. 2. Use the online tool to get an IP PIN. After you create an online account, use the “Get an IP Pin” button on the IRS website to register for a PIN. You can access the IP PIN tool from mid-January through mid-November Internal Revenue Service. Get An Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN). Accessed Nov 8, 2023. . Once you receive it, your IP PIN is valid for one calendar year.If your identity has been stolen before and the IRS resolved the issues with your tax account, it will mail you a CP01A Notice with a new IP PIN each year. The IRS mails new IP PINS to taxpayers by early January.
If your identity has been stolen before and the IRS resolved the issues with your tax account, it will mail you a CP01A Notice with a new IP PIN each year. The IRS mails new IP PINS to taxpayers by early January.3. Apply another way. If the IRS has an issue verifying your identity through the online tool, you can apply by mail, by fax or in person.
3. Apply another way. 3. Apply another way. If the IRS has an issue verifying your identity through the online tool, you can apply by mail, by fax or in person.To apply by mail or fax you will need:
To apply by mail or fax you will need:A Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number.
A Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number.An adjusted gross income of below $73,000 for individuals (or $146,000 for those married filing jointly).
An adjusted gross income of below $73,000 for individuals (or $146,000 for those married filing jointly ).Access to a phone.
Access to a phone.If you meet those qualifications, you can mail or fax Form 15227 to the IRS. The IRS will then contact you via phone, validate your identity and assign you an IP PIN by mail within four to six weeks.
If you meet those qualifications, you can mail or fax Form 15227 to the IRS. The IRS will then contact you via phone, validate your identity and assign you an IP PIN by mail within four to six weeks.To apply in person, you will need:
To apply in person, you will need:One picture identification document.
One picture identification document.One additional identification document.
One additional identification document.Make an appointment for an in-person meeting at a Taxpayer Assistance Center. After your identity has been verified, you’ll receive your IP PIN in the mail within three weeks.
Make an appointment for an in-person meeting at a Taxpayer Assistance Center. After your identity has been verified, you’ll receive your IP PIN in the mail within three weeks.» Ready to file? Check out the best tax software
» Ready to file? » Ready to file? Check out the best tax software AD Owe $10,000+ or More? This Tax Season Could Be Your Chance to Qualify Each year the IRS writes off millions in tax debt, yet few have applied. Learn moreon Anthem Tax Services' website
AD Let’s resolve your tax issues: Tax Relief & Resolution Services for IRS Tax Debt Certified Enrolled Agents, CPAs, and Tax Attorneys on your case. Learn moreon TaxRise's website
Frequently asked questions about IRS IP PINs
Frequently asked questions about IRS IP PINsWhat do I do if I lose my IP PIN?
What do I do if I lose my IP PIN?If you lost your IP PIN, you can use the same IP PIN tool you used to apply for your PIN on the IRS website to retrieve it. If you can’t retrieve your IP PIN online, you can call the IRS at 800-908-4490 to have your IP PIN reissued.
If you lost your IP PIN, you can use the same IP PIN tool you used to apply for your PIN on the IRS website to retrieve it. If you can’t retrieve your IP PIN online, you can call the IRS at 800-908-4490 to have your IP PIN reissued.» MORE: Other IRS phone numbers you can call for help
» MORE: » MORE: Other IRS phone numbers you can call for helpCan I file my taxes without an IP PIN?
Can I file my taxes without an IP PIN?Yes. Since the IP PIN is voluntary, you do not need to have one to file your taxes. If you already have an IP PIN, you will need it to file.
Yes. Since the IP PIN is voluntary, you do not need to have one to file your taxes. If you already have an IP PIN, you will need it to file.What other ways can I protect my identity?
What other ways can I protect my identity?To further protect your identity, you can freeze your credit, which prevents any new credit from being opened in your name. You can also set up fraud alerts, which add an extra layer of scrutiny to your credit applications.
To further protect your identity, you can freeze your credit , which prevents any new credit from being opened in your name. You can also set up fraud alerts , which add an extra layer of scrutiny to your credit applications.Do you get a new IP PIN every year?
Do you get a new IP PIN every year?Yes. If you applied for an IP PIN online, you'll need to retrieve a new one online each year. If you were mailed a CP01A Notice, the IRS will continue mailing you a new IP PIN each year. It's important to note that you can't reuse previous years' IP PINs
Yes. If you applied for an IP PIN online, you'll need to retrieve a new one online each year. If you were mailed a CP01A Notice, the IRS will continue mailing you a new IP PIN each year. It's important to note that you can't reuse previous years' IP PINs Internal Revenue Service. FAQs about the Identity Protection Personal Identification Number. Accessed Mar 1, 2024. .Helpful resources
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