How to Get and Use an IRS IP PIN to Protect Your Tax Return
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)
The Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) is a six-digit code issued by the IRS that acts as a secure key to your tax account. If you are enrolled in the program, your tax return cannot be electronically filed without your unique, current-year IP PIN. This is the single most effective way to prevent a thief from filing a fraudulent return with your Social Security Number (SSN) to steal your refund.
The program is now open to all taxpayers who can verify their identity online. This article provides a step-by-step guide to get your PIN and a problem-solving FAQ for common issues.
The IP PIN as a Security System
Think of your SSN as a username for the IRS system. Historically, that was all a thief needed to file a fraudulent return. The IP PIN program adds a required password that changes every year.
The Input: The IRS "locks" your tax account once you are enrolled in the IP PIN program.
The Mechanism: Any electronically filed return submitted with your SSN is checked for a matching, current-year IP PIN.
The Output:
- If the correct IP PIN is present, the return is accepted for processing.
- If the IP PIN is missing or incorrect, the return is immediately rejected.
This simple system stops fraud before it happens, preventing months of correspondence with the IRS to prove your identity and reclaim your stolen refund.
The IP PIN Readiness Checklist
Before starting the online process, gather the required documents. The IRS uses a secure third-party service, ID.me, for its identity verification. This is a rigorous, one-time setup to ensure you are who you say you are. Having these items ready will make the process much smoother.
You will need:
- Your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
- Your full legal name, date of birth, and current mailing address as it appears on your most recent tax return.
- A primary identity document (a valid Driver’s License, State ID, Passport, or Passport Card).
- A smartphone with a camera or a computer with a webcam to take a photo of your ID and a selfie.
- A phone number associated with your name that can receive confirmation texts.
How to Get Your IP PIN Online: A Step-by-Step Guide
The IRS's online "Get an IP PIN" tool is the fastest and most direct way for any eligible taxpayer to obtain their PIN immediately.
Step 1: Access the Official IRS Tool
Navigate to the IRS "Get an IP PIN" tool on their official website. Avoid third-party sites that claim to offer this service.
Step 2: Sign In or Create an Account
You will be directed to an IRS page where you must click the "Get an IP PIN" button. This will then redirect you to the ID.me login portal.
- If you already have an ID.me account from other government services (like the Social Security Administration or state unemployment sites), simply sign in.
- If you are new to ID.me, you must create an account.
Step 3: Complete ID.me Identity Verification
Follow the on-screen prompts carefully. You will be asked to upload clear photos of the front and back of your identity document and then use your device's camera to take a live selfie. The system uses this information to confirm your identity. If the automated process cannot verify your documents, you may be prompted to join a brief, recorded video call with a trained ID.me agent.
Step 4: Consent and Retrieve Your IP PIN
Once ID.me has verified your identity, you will be securely redirected back to the IRS website. You must consent to the terms of the IP PIN program. After consenting, your IP PIN for the current tax year will be displayed on the screen.
Record this number immediately and store it in a secure location. You will need it to file your taxes.
CRITICAL WARNING: The Annual PIN Renewal
The IP PIN you receive is only valid for the current tax year. The IRS will issue you a new PIN every calendar year, typically in early January. You must use the new, correct PIN for that year's tax return. Using an old PIN is the most common reason for an e-file rejection in this program.
IP PIN Problem-Solving FAQ
Q: "I lost my CP01A notice / I can't find my PIN. What do I do?"
The fastest way to retrieve it is to use the online Get an IP PIN tool described above. Your current PIN will be displayed immediately after you log in through ID.me. If you absolutely cannot pass online verification, you will need to call the IRS for assistance, but be prepared for significant wait times.
Q: "My spouse and I file jointly. How do IP PINs work?"
The IP PIN is tied to an individual's SSN, not the tax return itself. The logic is simple:
- If both you and your spouse have been issued an IP PIN, you must enter both PINs on your joint return.
- If only one of you has an IP PIN, you only need to enter that person's PIN.
Our tax software has separate, clearly marked fields for the taxpayer's and the spouse's IP PIN.
Q: "The IRS sent an IP PIN for my child/dependent. Do I really need it?"
Yes. If your dependent was issued an IP PIN, you must enter it on your tax return when you claim them. A return claiming a dependent with a required IP PIN will be rejected if the PIN is missing. This happens when a dependent's SSN has been compromised or is flagged by the IRS as being at high risk for identity theft.
Q: "I can't verify my identity online with ID.me. Am I locked out?"
No, but the alternative is much slower and may not help you for the current filing season.
- If you are a confirmed identity theft victim: The IRS will automatically mail you a new IP PIN each year in a letter called a CP01A Notice. Look for this in your mail in December or January.
- If you are trying to opt-in voluntarily but fail online verification: You must file a paper Form 15227, Application for an Identity Protection PIN. It can take 4-6 weeks for the IRS to process this form. This method will enroll you in the program for the next tax season; it will not generate a PIN for the current one.
Q: "I opted into the program, but I don't want it anymore. Can I opt-out?"
No. Once you are voluntarily enrolled in the IP PIN program, you cannot opt out. It is a permanent security upgrade to your tax account. You will continue to be issued a new PIN each year and will be required to use it to file.
The Solution: Your Next Step
The IP PIN is the most powerful security tool available to individual taxpayers. By opting into the program, you place a lock on your tax account that only you can open each year.
Now that you understand the system and have retrieved your PIN, the final step is to ensure it is used correctly.
To ensure a smooth, rejection-free filing, provide your current-year IP PIN (and your spouse's/dependent's, if applicable) to your BeckCPAGroup advisor. We will enter it directly into our professional software, securing your return and protecting your refund.