Tax-related identity theft usually starts with someone filing a fake return in your name to grab a refund. You often find out only when your real return is rejected. The IRS offers a simple, free way to block that: an Identity Protection PIN, or IP PIN.
What an IP PIN is
According to the IRS, an IP PIN is a six-digit number that prevents anyone else from filing a federal tax return using your Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Once you have one, a return filed under your number without the correct PIN won’t be accepted.
You don’t have to be a past victim to get one. The IRS says anyone with an SSN or ITIN who can verify their identity is eligible. Parents and guardians can also request IP PINs for dependents.
How to get one online
The fastest route is your IRS online account:
- Go to IRS.gov and sign in to your online account. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to create an account and complete identity verification first.
- Open your profile page and find the IP PIN section.
- Request your IP PIN. It will be displayed in your account.
- Write it down somewhere secure and share it only with your trusted tax preparer when it’s time to file.
The IRS says the PIN is generally available to view in your online account from mid-January through mid-November.
If you can’t verify your identity online
There are two backup options:
- Form 15227: available if your adjusted gross income on your last return was below $84,000 (or $168,000 for married filing jointly). The IRS calls you to verify your identity and mails your IP PIN, which the agency says takes four to six weeks.
- In person: you can verify your identity at a local Taxpayer Assistance Center. The IRS says the PIN usually arrives by mail within three weeks.
Things to know before you file
- An IP PIN is valid for one calendar year. A new one is generated for your account each year, so you’ll need to retrieve the current PIN before you file.
- You must use it on any federal return you file during that year, including returns for prior years.
- If you get a PIN only once, the IRS says you’re opted out of the program at the end of the calendar year.
Doing this now, well before filing season, means you won’t be scrambling for verification documents in January.