What Is an Identity Protection PIN and How Do You Get One?

An Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) is a six-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to help prevent tax-related identity theft. This unique number protects taxpayers from fraudulent federal income tax returns being filed in their name and is known only to the taxpayer and the IRS.

How an Identity Protection PIN Protects You

An IP PIN serves as a unique identifier, authenticating tax returns. When a return is submitted, the IRS verifies the provided IP PIN against its records.

A tax return filed without the correct IP PIN will be rejected by the IRS. This prevents identity thieves from filing false tax returns using stolen Social Security Numbers (SSNs) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) to claim fraudulent refunds. This ensures only authorized returns are processed, safeguarding taxpayer accounts and preventing potential financial losses.

Obtaining an Identity Protection PIN

Confirmed victims of tax-related identity theft receive an IP PIN automatically from the IRS via mail through a CP01A Notice once their tax account issues are resolved. A new IP PIN is included in this notice each year.

Individuals can also obtain an IP PIN through the IRS’s online IP PIN tool, accessible via an IRS Online Account. This process requires identity verification, which may involve providing a Social Security Number, email, photo ID, and answering credit history questions. Spouses and dependents are also eligible if they can successfully complete verification.

If online verification is not feasible, individuals can request an IP PIN by mail using Form 15227. This option is available to taxpayers whose adjusted gross income is below certain thresholds. The IRS will validate identity by phone, and the IP PIN is mailed within four to six weeks. An in-person option is available at a Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC), requiring government-issued photo ID. The IP PIN is mailed within about three weeks after identity verification.

Using Your Identity Protection PIN

An IP PIN must be used when filing a federal income tax return. For electronic filing, tax software prompts the taxpayer to enter the six-digit IP PIN. If a joint return is filed, each taxpayer with an assigned IP PIN must enter their number. If a dependent has an IP PIN, it must be included on the tax return.

For paper-filed returns, the IP PIN should be written in the designated box on Form 1040. An incorrect or missing PIN will result in rejection of an electronically filed return or significant delay in processing a paper return. The IRS will not process a return requiring an IP PIN without it.

Annual Issuance and Retrieval

IP PINs are issued annually, with a new six-digit number generated each tax filing season. These new PINs are sent out or made available in early January. Taxpayers who were victims of identity theft and received an IP PIN automatically will receive a new CP01A Notice by mail each year.

For those who opted into the IP PIN program online, the IP PIN must be retrieved through their IRS Online Account. The online tool is available from mid-January through mid-November. If an IP PIN is lost or not received, it can be retrieved through the IRS online tool, which requires re-verification of identity. Alternatively, a lost IP PIN can be reissued by calling the IRS Identity Verification Service.