January 20, 2021
Beginning this year the IRS is expanding the Identity Protection PIN Opt-In Program to all taxpayers who can verify their identities.
The Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) is a six-digit code known only to the taxpayer and to the IRS. It helps prevent identity thieves from filing fraudulent tax returns using a taxpayers' personally identifiable information. It helps the IRS verify that the federal return that is being filed is truly the taxpayer’s.
Here are a few key things to know about the IP PIN Opt-In program:
Any individual who has an SSN or ITIN may request an IP PIN using the Get an IP PIN tool on the IRS website. In order to obtain an IP PIN each individual must verify their identity by registering and going through the IRS Secure Access identity authentication process.
For those individuals that cannot authenticate themselves online they will need to do one of the following to receive an IP PIN:
An IRS assistor will then call the individual to verify their identity. Once this is done the IRS will issue them an IP PIN for the 2022 filing season.
For more details see the “Alternatives to the online tool” section of the Get An Identity Protection PIN page on the IRS website.
For more information on the IP PIN program see the following on the IRS website: