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Have you heard of the IP PIN?
(This is from the IRS website)
“An identity protection PIN (IP PIN) is a six-digit number that prevents someone else from filing a tax return using your Social Security number (SSN) or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). The IP PIN is known only to you and the IRS. It helps us verify your identity when you file your electronic or paper tax return.
If you don’t already have an IP PIN, you may get an IP PIN as a proactive step to protect yourself from tax-related identity theft, even if you are not required to file a tax return.
Anyone who has an SSN or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) and is able to verify his/her identity is eligible to enroll into the IP PIN program. Parents and legal guardians can also request an IP PIN for dependents.
Note: If you or your dependent are under age 18 and would like to request an IP PIN, you must use one of the alternative enrollment options.”
A few hours ago , I completed my return on TurboTax and forgot to enter my PIN. The return was rejected and I had to get it from my online IRS account, entered the PIN and refiled. It was accepted minutes later.
I have to tell you of my experience this year with the IRS IP pin. For quite a few years I have been using TurboTax PC version to do my taxes. This has included using the pin. However, I don’t recall ever doing anything to obtain the pin, nor have I ever received one through the mail. Each year after installing the new version of TT I import my return from the previous year. Then i update all the 1099 data etc, and am ready to file.
This year when I attempted to E-file, my return was rejected for having an incorrect pin. I looked at the info I had, and then tried again. Failed again. So, I called TT tech help line. The very knowledgeable person at TT advised me that for a significant number of taxpayers, the IRS had not actually mailed out the new pins for 2025 taxes. It was some kind of glitch. The solution was to login to my account at the IRS to get the pin.
Again, this was interesting, as I didn’t have an account at the IRS that I knew of; had never been to their site. Fortunately, I have ID.ME credentials. I used them to login to the IRS, and easily found the pin. I put this new pin into TT and successfully E-filed.
What is really fascinating, is that our return was a joint return. My spouse also has a pin, the IRS accepted the return with her pin as imported from our 2024 return. Trying to understand how the IRS works is like gazing at your own navel, a crystal ball, tea leaves, etc.
There is another set of passwords when you file electronically that can be used every year. The IP PIN is different and can apply to only one taxpayer when filing jointly.
I have to tell you of my experience this year with the IRS IP pin. For quite a few years I have been using TurboTax PC version to do my taxes. This has included using the pin. However, I don’t recall ever doing anything to obtain the pin, nor have I ever received one through the mail. Each year after installing the new version of TT I import my return from the previous year. Then i update all the 1099 data etc, and am ready to file.
This year when I attempted to E-file, my return was rejected for having an incorrect pin. I looked at the info I had, and then tried again. Failed again. So, I called TT tech help line. The very knowledgeable person at TT advised me that for a significant number of taxpayers, the IRS had not actually mailed out the new pins for 2025 taxes. It was some kind of glitch. The solution was to login to my account at the IRS to get the pin.
Again, this was interesting, as I didn’t have an account at the IRS that I knew of; had never been to their site. Fortunately, I have ID.ME credentials. I used them to login to the IRS, and easily found the pin. I put this new pin into TT and successfully E-filed.
What is really fascinating, is that our return was a joint return. My spouse also has a pin, the IRS accepted the return with her pin as imported from our 2024 return. Trying to understand how the IRS works is like gazing at your own navel, a crystal ball, tea leaves, or perhaps trying to understand the whichness of the why……
And, if I recall correctly, you must (each) apply for a new PIN each January (although this year is was delayed a bit)
Our PINs are mailed to us each January. We don’t have to request them each year.
While true you need a new PIN each year which as far as I know happens without any further action by you once you sign up. Unless our tax guy has been doing something annually that I’m not aware of to get us the new PINs, they have automatically been sent for years with no further action from us each year.
If you are the one who originally requested it, then all you do is get it from your online IRS account.
A fraudster filed a federal tax return using my wife’s and my SSNs 13 years ago. Untangling things took a few months with the IRS and more than a year with the state of Maryland. The IRS handed things efficiently; we’ve been using PINs when we file that the IRS mails to us each year. Maryland, where we lived at the time, gave us a lot of grief as we tried to sort things out and refile our tax forms. The state put a lien on our property and after 6 months turned our account over to a debt collection agency! The issue was resolved after we contacted our state representatives. We had no problems with the IRS.
I highly recommend a PIN. Without it, fraudsters can file a return using your name and SS# before you file. They will get a refund and when you file, it will be a big mess to clean up. Most people’s SS# is on the dark web due to so many security breaches in recent years, so most of us are vulnerable to this without using a PIN.
I highly recommend getting an IP PIN. Thanks, Nick
Many may think, “Why bother?” It’s very likely your PII is out there in a dataset. I’ve read article from victims describing how it’s moderately easy to file a fraudulent return using these resources claiming a refund. This will gum up your own actual filing and return with the understaffed IRS and may require months of work to address. I urge you to put this added layer of protection in play. It’s a simple process to get this done once you have the right login ID with the IRS. Protective due diligence…
I agree and it is easy to do.I did this for myself years ago as part of a broader plan after a relatively minor (compared to most) but irritating identity theft event-that did not involve taxes. We subsequently did it for my wife as well.