What Is a CP01H Notice and Why Did I Receive One?
Understand the purpose of the IRS CP01H notice and the mandatory Identity Protection PIN program for securing your annual federal tax return.
The CP01A notice from the IRS informs you that you have been issued a six-digit Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) and are enrolled in the program. This security measure prevents identity thieves from filing a fraudulent tax return using your Social Security number. The IRS sends this notice when it identifies a need to protect your account for the upcoming tax season.
Understanding the Identity Protection PIN
An IP PIN is a six-digit number the IRS assigns to verify your identity when filing federal taxes. The IRS issues these PINs if you were a victim of tax-related identity theft or if your information was compromised. Eligible taxpayers can also voluntarily opt into the IP PIN program on the IRS website for proactive protection. Once enrolled, using the PIN is mandatory when filing your federal tax return.
How to Use Your IP PIN When Filing Taxes
When filing taxes, you must enter the IP PIN correctly. Using tax software or a professional, enter the six-digit number from your CP01A notice into the program’s designated field for the IP PIN.
For paper returns, enter your six-digit IP PIN in the designated boxes below the signature and occupation fields on Form 1040 or 1040-SR. Entering the PIN elsewhere will cause processing delays.
On a joint return, if both spouses have an IP PIN, each must enter their own. If only one spouse has a PIN, only that individual needs to enter it. You must also enter the IP PIN for any dependent who has been issued one for the return to be accepted.
Failing to enter a required IP PIN correctly has direct consequences. An electronically filed return missing a mandatory IP PIN or containing an incorrect one will be rejected. For paper filers, omitting the PIN triggers a manual review, significantly delaying your return and any expected refund.
Lost Notice and PIN Retrieval
If you misplace your CP01A notice, you must retrieve your IP PIN to file your taxes. To verify your identity with the IRS, you will need:
- Your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Your date of birth
- Your tax filing status
- The exact mailing address from your most recently filed tax return
The fastest way to recover your IP PIN is by using the “Get an IP PIN” tool on the IRS website. This requires you to access or create an IRS online account, which involves identity verification. Once logged in, the tool will display your current IP PIN.
If you cannot retrieve your PIN online, you can call the IRS for assistance. The IRS will not provide an IP PIN over the phone. After passing identity verification, the IRS will mail you a new CP01A notice, which can take up to 21 days to arrive.
The IP PIN is an annual security feature. The IRS automatically mails a new CP01A notice with a new IP PIN each year before the tax season. You must use the new PIN for the current tax year and cannot reuse a PIN from a previous year.