What Is an IP PIN? Why Should I Get One? How Do I Get One?

You’d be surprised how many tax returns get rejected because someone else already filed a fraudulent return using the taxpayer’s Social Security number. And the numbers keep going up. In 2024 and 2025 alone, the IRS’s identity theft filters flagged about 7.5 million individual returns, according to a May 2026 report from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. Victims whose cases had to be worked by hand waited an average of 20 months in 2025 for them to be resolved.

Here is how it usually plays out. A family gathers their W-2s, meets with their preparer, and hits “file,” only to have the return rejected because a return under their Social Security number has already been accepted. The thief filed early, claimed a refund, and moved on. The real taxpayer is left with a frozen refund, a stack of IRS letters, and months of proving who they are.

“But I’ve never had a problem.”

That is exactly the point. Almost every identity theft victim we’ve helped had never had a problem before, until the year they did. Tax fraud doesn’t depend on anything you did wrong. It depends on whether your Social Security number, name, and date of birth are sitting in a stolen database somewhere, and after years of data breaches at banks, hospitals, retailers, and employers, most people’s are. You usually won’t know your information has been taken until a thief uses it.

Waiting until after fraud happens to get protected is like buying a lock after the break-in. There is a simple, free tool that prevents the problem before it starts: the Identity Protection PIN, or IP PIN. In our practice we recommend it to nearly every client, whether or not they’ve ever been a victim. Here is what it is, why it is worth five minutes of your time, and exactly how to get one.

What is an IP PIN?

An Identity Protection PIN is a six-digit number assigned by the IRS that is known only to you and the IRS. Once you have one, it must be included on any federal tax return filed under your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

Think of it as a second lock on your tax account. A thief may have your name, Social Security number, and date of birth, but without your current IP PIN, the IRS will reject an electronic return and hold a paper return for review. The fake return never gets processed, and no fraudulent refund goes out.

A few key facts:

It is free. The IRS never charges for an IP PIN.
It is voluntary. Years ago, IP PINs were only issued to confirmed identity theft victims. Today, anyone with an SSN or ITIN who can verify their identity can opt in.
It changes every year. Each IP PIN is good for one calendar year. A new one is generated each January.
It is used only on tax returns. You enter it on your Form 1040 (or give it to your preparer). It is not a password for your IRS account and is not used for anything else.
Each person gets their own. Spouses and dependents each have a separate IP PIN.

Why should I get one?

The short answer: data breaches have made Social Security numbers easy to buy, and the IP PIN is the single most effective way to keep someone from filing a tax return in your name.

It blocks fraudulent returns before they happen

Most identity protection tools only tell you after something went wrong. The IP PIN prevents the fake return from being accepted at all. That means no frozen refund, no stack of IRS letters, and no months spent proving who you are.

Recovery is slow and stressful

When a fraudulent return is filed first, the real return is usually rejected or flagged. The taxpayer has to file Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit), wait for the IRS to investigate, and often wait many months for the legitimate refund. We represent clients through this process, and it is far easier to prevent than to fix.

People who should strongly consider one

Anyone whose data was in a breach. If you have received a breach notice from a bank, retailer, health provider, or employer, your SSN may already be circulating.
Parents of young children. Children’s Social Security numbers are prized by thieves because the theft can go unnoticed for years. Someone may try to claim your child as a dependent on a fake return.
Seniors and people who don’t normally file. Thieves target people who are less likely to file a return themselves.
Divorced or separated parents. An IP PIN on each child prevents someone else from claiming the child without the custodial parent’s knowledge.
Anyone expecting a large refund. Bigger refunds are bigger targets.
Past identity theft victims. The IRS may already have enrolled you. If you received a CP01A notice, you are in the program.

There’s almost no downside

The only real cost is remembering to retrieve your new PIN each January and giving it to your tax preparer. If you forget or lose it, you can look it up online in minutes.

How do I get one?

There are three ways to get an IP PIN. The online method is by far the fastest.

Option 1: Online (fastest, recommended)

Go to IRS.gov/IPPIN and select Get an IP PIN.
Sign in to your IRS account, or create one. The IRS uses ID.me to verify identity, so have a photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport) and a smartphone or computer with a camera ready.
Once your identity is verified, choose to opt in to the IP PIN program.
Your IP PIN is displayed right away. Write it down somewhere safe.

In each later year, a new IP PIN will be available in your account in early January.

Timing tip: the IRS takes the Get an IP PIN tool offline for annual maintenance from roughly mid-November until early January. If you want a PIN in place before the 2027 filing season opens, it’s worth signing up in the next few weeks.

Option 2: Form 15227 (if you can’t verify online)

If you can’t complete online identity verification, you may be able to apply using Form 15227, Application for an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number. You are eligible if:

You have a valid SSN or ITIN,
The adjusted gross income on your last filed return was below $84,000 (individuals) or $168,000 (married filing jointly), and
You have access to a telephone.

The IRS will call you at the number you provide to verify your identity. Your IP PIN is then mailed to you, and you will receive a new one by mail each year. Expect this route to take several weeks.

Option 3: In person at a Taxpayer Assistance Center

If you can’t verify online and don’t qualify for Form 15227, you can make an appointment at a local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (call 844-545-5640 to schedule). Bring one government-issued photo ID and one additional form of identification. After your identity is verified, your IP PIN arrives by mail, typically within about three weeks, and each year after that.

Using your IP PIN

Give it to your tax preparer each year. Your preparer enters it on your return. Because the PIN changes every January, the one from last year will not work. A wrong or missing IP PIN causes an e-filed return to be rejected, and a paper return to be delayed while the IRS verifies your identity.

Joint filers each need their own, if enrolled. If both spouses have IP PINs, both go on the return. If only one spouse is enrolled, only that spouse’s PIN is entered.

Use the right year’s PIN. The PIN issued in January 2027 is the one used for returns filed during calendar year 2027, including your 2026 return. Prior-year and amended returns filed during 2027 also use the current PIN.

IP PINs for children and other dependents

Dependents can get their own IP PIN, but they must pass the same identity verification. For young children, that usually means the parent cannot simply do it online on the child’s behalf. Many families use Form 15227 or an in-person appointment to enroll a child. Once a dependent has an IP PIN, it must be entered on any return that claims them.

Lost or forgot your IP PIN?

Sign back in to the Get an IP PIN tool at IRS.gov/IPPIN, and your current PIN will be displayed. If you can’t access the online tool, you can call the IRS at 800-908-4490 to have it reissued by mail, which takes longer. Don’t file a new Form 15227 just to replace a lost PIN.

Protect it like a password

The IRS will never call, text, or email you asking for your IP PIN. Any message asking for it is a scam.
Share it only with your trusted tax preparer, and only for preparing your return.
Don’t store it in an unprotected note on your phone or in an email to yourself.

Can I opt out?

If you joined voluntarily and haven’t been a victim of identity theft, you can opt out through your online account. People who were assigned an IP PIN because of confirmed identity theft cannot opt out.

Quick answers to common questions

Does an IP PIN affect my refund? Only in a good way. Returns filed with the correct PIN process normally, and it protects your refund from being stolen.

Do I need one if I don’t get a refund? Yes, it’s still worth it. Thieves can file a fake return claiming a refund under your SSN even if you normally owe.

Does it protect my state return? The IRS IP PIN applies to federal returns. Texas has no state income tax, but if you file in another state, check whether it offers its own protection.

What if I’m divorced and my ex claims our child? If your child has an IP PIN, whoever is entitled to claim the child (for example, a noncustodial parent with a signed Form 8332) will need that PIN to e-file. Coordinate in advance to avoid rejected returns.

I think someone already filed using my SSN. What now? Don’t wait. File Form 14039, keep every IRS letter, and contact a tax professional who handles identity theft cases. You will be assigned an IP PIN going forward.

Does having an IP PIN mean I’ve been a victim of identity theft? No. Anyone can opt in voluntarily. It simply means you’ve added an extra layer of protection.

Will an IP PIN slow down my refund? No. A return filed with the correct IP PIN is processed normally. In fact, it can help you avoid the identity verification letters that hold up many refunds.

Does my tax preparer need it every year? Yes. Your preparer must enter your current IP PIN on your return each year. Send it to us as soon as you get your new one in January, along with your other tax documents.

I file a paper return. Do I still need to use it? Yes. The IP PIN goes on paper returns too, in the space next to your signature. A missing or wrong PIN on a paper return delays processing.

I got a CP01A notice in the mail. What is it? That letter contains your IP PIN for the year. People who enrolled by mail or in person, or who were enrolled after identity theft, receive a CP01A each year. Keep it in a safe place.

Does an IP PIN protect my credit cards or bank accounts? No. It only protects your federal tax return. To protect your credit, consider a free credit freeze with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Can I sign up in the middle of the year? Yes, any time the online tool is available. It’s typically offline from mid-November to early January for annual updates.

My child doesn’t file taxes. Should they still have one? It can be a good idea. A child’s Social Security number is a common target because the theft can go unnoticed for years. If your child has an IP PIN, it must be on any return that claims them as a dependent.

We can help

Signing up for an IP PIN takes a few minutes and can save you months of trouble. If you’d like help getting one for yourself or your children, or if you are already dealing with a rejected return or an identity theft notice from the IRS, we can help. We offer tax preparation, bookkeeping, and IRS representation, including identity theft cases.

LP Tax And Bookkeeping Pros LLC, McKinney, TX 75072
Phone: 303-881-9762
Email: ralphp@lptaxandbookkeepingpros.com
Web: www.lptaxandbookkeepingpros.com

This article is for general information only and is not tax or legal advice for your specific situation. IRS procedures change, so please confirm details at IRS.gov or contact us before acting.

(303) 881-9762