When should I expect my IP PIN from the IRS?

An Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) is a six-digit number that prevents someone else from filing a tax return using your Social Security (SSN) number 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. Even though you may not have a filing requirement, an IP PIN still protects your account.

If you are a confirmed victim of tax-related identity theft and we have resolved your tax account issues, we’ll mail you a CP01A Notice with your new IP PIN each year.

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. Anyone with an SSN or an ITIN can get an IP PIN including individuals living abroad.

If you want to request an IP PIN, please note:

• You must pass an identity verification process.
• Spouses and dependents are eligible for an IP PIN if they can pass the identity verification process.
• Once you have opted in and obtained an IP PIN online, you will need to retrieve your IP PIN online each calendar year as a CP01A Notice will not be mailed.

How to get an IP PIN

The fastest way to receive an IP PIN is by using the online Get an IP PIN tool. If you wish to get an IP PIN and you don’t already have an account on IRS.gov, you must register to validate your identity. The IP PIN tool is generally available starting in mid-January through mid-November. Select the button to get started

Get an IP PIN 

Alternatives to the online tool

If you want an IP PIN but can’t successfully validate your identity through the Get an IP PIN tool, there are alternatives. Please note using an alternative method to the online tool takes longer for an IP PIN to be assigned to you.

Filing an application for an IP PIN

If your adjusted gross income on your last filed return is below $79,000 for Individuals or $158,000 for Married Filing Joint and you can’t use the online tool, you have the option to use Form 15227, Application for an Identity Protection Personal Identification NumberPDF. You must have:

• A valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
• An adjusted gross income on your last filed return is below $79,000 for Individuals or $158,000 for Married Filing Joint.
• Access to a telephone

We will use the telephone number provided on the Form 15227 to call you and validate your identity. Once we verify your identity, you will receive your IP PIN via the U.S. Postal Service usually within four to six weeks. You will then receive your IP PIN annually through the mail.

Requesting in-person authentication for an IP PIN

If you’re unable to verify your identity online or with the Form 15227 process or you are ineligible to file Form 15227, you may make an appointment for an in-person meeting at a local Taxpayer Assistance Center. Please bring one current government-issued picture identification document and another identification document to prove your identity. Once we verify your identity, you will receive your IP PIN via the U.S. Postal Service usually within three weeks. You will then receive your IP PIN annually through the mail.

Important Information about IP PINs

• An IP PIN is valid for one calendar year.
• A new IP PIN is generated each year for your account.
• Logging back into the Get an IP PIN tool, will display your current IP PIN.
• An IP PIN must be used when filing any federal tax returns during the year including prior year returns.  
• FAQs about the Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN)

Using an IP PIN to File

Enter the six-digit IP PIN when prompted by your tax software product or provide it to your trusted tax professional preparing your tax return. The IP PIN is used only on Forms 1040, 1040-NR, 1040-PR, 1040-SR, and 1040-SS.

Correct IP PINs must be entered on electronic and paper tax returns to avoid rejections and delays. An incorrect or missing IP PIN will result in the rejection of your e-filed return or a delay of your paper return until it can be verified.

Don’t reveal your IP PIN to anyone. It should be known only to your tax professional and only when you are ready to sign and submit your return. The IRS will never ask for your IP PIN. Phone calls, emails or texts asking for your IP PIN are scams.

Lost IP PINs

Review Retrieve Your IP PIN for details. Do not file a Form 15227 to apply for a new IP PIN.

Q1: What's an IP PIN?

A1: The IRS IP PIN is a 6-digit number assigned to eligible taxpayers to help prevent the misuse of their Social Security number on fraudulent federal income tax returns. A new IP PIN will be generated each year.

If we assigned you an IP PIN, you must use it to confirm your identity on any return filed during the current calendar year. This includes current year returns as well as any delinquent tax returns.

An IP PIN is used only on Forms 1040, 1040-NR, 1040-PR, 1040-SR, and 1040-SS.

Q2: Who's eligible for an IRS IP PIN?

A2: Anyone who has a Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and is able to verify his/her identity is eligible to enroll into the IP PIN program.     

Q3: What  if I use an IP PIN incorrectly on my tax return?

A3: The IP PIN acts as an authentication number to validate the correct owner of the Social Security number(s) or ITIN(s) listed on your tax return.

E-file Return:

• If an IP PIN isn't entered correctly, we'll reject the return and you'll need to enter the correct IP PIN to e-file it again.

Paper Return:

• If you have an IP PIN, you're the primary and/or secondary taxpayer, and you fail to enter your IP PIN correctly, your return will take longer to process while we validate the information.

Q4: I lost my IP PIN or I didn't receive a new one in the mail. How do I get another one?

A4: If we issued you an IP PIN and you lost it or you didn't receive a new one in the mail, you'll need to obtain your IP PIN before you can e-file your return.

• You may use our Get an IP PIN online tool to retrieve your current IP PIN. If you don’t already have an account on IRS.gov, you will be asked to register for an account and validate your identity.

• If you previously created an account, access Get an IP PIN and log in to your account. You may be required to verify your identity again due to our increased account security.

If you're unable to retrieve your IP PIN online:

• You may call us at 800-908-4490 for specialized assistance, Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. your local time (Alaska & Hawaii follow Pacific Time), to have your IP PIN reissued to you. An assistor will verify your identity and mail your IP PIN to your address of record within 21 days.

Q5: I'm a victim of identity theft. Can I get an IP PIN? (updated December 15, 2023)

A5: Anyone who has a SSN or ITIN and is able to verify his/her identity is eligible to enroll into the IP PIN program. If our records show that you were a victim of identity theft, you will automatically be enrolled into the IP PIN program.

Q6: We're married and filing a joint return. How do we use/enter the IP PIN if 'one' or 'both' of us have one?

A6: Each taxpayer who has an IP PIN must enter it on their tax return.

Q7: My e-file return rejected and the reject code said I need an IP PIN. What do I do?

A7: In this situation, at least one SSN or ITIN on your return has an IP PIN requirement and you'll need to include the IP PIN on your tax return.

• If you, your spouse (if married filing jointly), or dependent had an IP PIN assigned, it needs to be included on your return.
• If you don't know the IP PIN necessary to file, check the return reject code to see whether the IP PIN requirement belongs to you, your spouse, or your dependent (as applicable). You'll need to retrieve that IP PIN prior to resubmitting your e-file return.

Q8: I reported to IRS that I was the victim of identity theft but never received an IP PIN. Why didn't I receive one?

A8: Your identity theft case may not have been resolved prior to our issuance of new IP PINs in early January or you moved prior to the end of the year and didn't notify us.

If we assigned you an IP PIN, you'll need to Retrieve Your IP PIN to 'e-file' your tax return this year. You'll know we assigned you an IP PIN if your e-filed return is rejected because it was missing an IP PIN.

Q9: Where is the IP PIN on my CP01A Notice?

A9: It's located on page one of the CP01A notice at the top of the first column.

Q10: Where do I enter the IP PIN(s) on my tax return? (updated September 21, 2022)

A10: This is determined by the method you use to file, e-file or paper.

E-filed Return:

• Your tax software or practitioner will tell you where to enter the IP PIN. If you can't find where to enter your IP PIN, search within your software for Identity Protection PIN or IP PIN or contact the software provider's help desk.
• Each taxpayer claimed on a tax return who receives an IP PIN must have their IP PIN(s) entered on the tax return. This includes the IP PIN of any dependent(s) included in the tax return.
  • If you claim a dependent who receives an IP PIN, you must enter it on the 'Form 1040 series' as well as 'Form 2441' and 'Schedule Earned Income Tax Credit'. For more information, please see Question 17 below.

Paper Return:

• Enter your IP PIN(s) as applicable in the boxes marked "Identity Protection PIN" in signature area of the Form 1040 tax return.
• Each taxpayer who has an IP PIN must enter it on their tax return

  • If married and filing a joint return, see Question 6 above .

  • You don't need to enter an IP PIN for your dependent(s) when filing a paper tax return.

Q11: Do I have to use the IP PIN I received this year if filing prior year returns this year?

A11: Yes. You must use this IP PIN to confirm your identity on your current tax return and any prior year returns filed during the calendar year.

Q12: Why did I receive an IP PIN?

A12: Our records show you were previously the victim of identity theft; or you were identified by the IRS as a possible victim of tax-related identity theft. We use this IP PIN to authenticate your identity when you file.

Q13: I received an IP PIN for a deceased person. What do I do with it?

A13: If filing a return for the decedent enter the IP PIN as appropriate.

Q14: Do I have to keep this IP PIN and use it again next year?

A14: No. A new IP PIN will be generated each year.

Q15: When does the IRS send IP PIN notices to taxpayers?

A15: From mid-December through early January,  CP01A notices are sent to taxpayers eligible to receive an IP PIN. If you opted in online to get an IP PIN, you will not receive a CP01A notice, you must retrieve your IP PIN online beginning in early January every year.

Q16: Should I give my IP PIN to anyone?

A16: You should keep your IP PIN in a safe location until it's time to prepare your tax return.

If you choose to hire a tax preparer or take advantage of a volunteer tax preparation service to prepare your tax return, you'll need to provide your IP PIN so the preparer can include it on your return.

When calling the IRS or visiting an IRS office, your IP PIN isn't accepted as proof of your identity.

Q17: Do I include my dependent's IRS issued IP PIN on my federal tax return?

A17: This is determined by how you file.

E-file Return: If you claim one or more dependents that have an IP PIN, you must enter their IP PIN on the following e-file tax forms:

• Form 1040, Individual Income Tax Return, series
• Form 2441, Child and Dependent Care Expenses
• Schedule Earned Income Credit

Your e-file return will be rejected if you fail to enter a dependent's IP PIN.

Note: If someone can claim you on their tax return as a dependent and you have an IP PIN, you must share your IP PIN with them if they e-file.

Paper Return: You don't need to enter an IP PIN for your dependent(s) when filing a paper tax return.

Q18: Should I include my IP PIN on Forms such as the Form 4868, Automatic Filing Extension, or when I file my state tax return?

A18: No. The IP PIN is only used on federal tax Forms 1040, 1040-NR, 1040-PR, 1040-SR, and 1040-SS.

Q19: Should I include my IP PIN when filing an Amended return? (updated December 15, 2023)

A19: Yes. The same requirements for the IP PIN that exist for filing an original return, will apply to an amended return. 

• For paper filed returns, the IP PIN must be included on the Form 1040, which must be submitted along with the amended return. See Question 10 above.
• For electronic filed returns, see Question 10 above.

Q20: Will I get my refund faster if I use my IP PIN?

A20: How quickly you receive your refund depends on your individual return information. If you include your IP PIN when filing, your return will be subject to the same validity checks as other returns not requiring an IP PIN.

See Where's My Refund? for more information on the status of your refund.

Q21: If I cannot validate my identity through the Get an IP PIN tool, how else can I participate in the IP PIN Program? (updated December 15, 2023)

A21: There are two alternative methods to receive an IP PIN:

• If your adjusted gross income is below $79,000 for Individuals or $158,000 for Married Filing Joint, you can file Form 15227, Application for an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number

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• If you are ineligible to file Form 15227, you may schedule a visit at a Taxpayer Assistance Center to request an IP PIN. You can find the TAC office closest to you with our Taxpayer Assistance Locator tool or call 844-545-5640 to schedule an appointment.

Q22: Can I opt-out of the IP PIN program?

A22: No, currently you do not have the option to opt-out of the IP PIN program.