What Is an IRS Identity Protection PIN?

An IRS Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) is a six-digit number created specifically for you by the Internal Revenue Service. This number works as an extra security measure to prevent identity thieves from filing tax returns in your name. Think of it like a password that only you and the IRS know. When you file your taxes, you enter this PIN along with your Social Security number. The IRS then checks to make sure the PIN matches their records before accepting your return.

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The IP PIN program began in 2015 as a response to growing tax-related identity theft. According to the IRS, criminals steal Social Security numbers and file fraudulent tax returns to claim refunds that don't belong to them. In 2022, the IRS reported that it prevented millions in fraudulent refunds by catching identity theft cases early. Without an IP PIN, a thief who has your Social Security number could potentially file a return before you do and intercept your refund.

Your IP PIN is unique to you and different from any PIN you might create for other purposes. The IRS generates it based on information in their systems. You don't choose the number yourself. Each year, if you receive an IP PIN, you'll get a new one. The old PIN stops working on December 31st of that year, and a new one takes its place starting January 1st of the next year.

The IP PIN is completely separate from filing status, tax bracket, or refund amount. It's purely a security tool. Whether you owe taxes or expect a refund, whether you're self-employed or work for a company, an IP PIN functions the same way for everyone who has one.

Practical Takeaway: If you receive notice that the IRS assigned you an IP PIN, keep that six-digit number in a safe place. You'll need it when you file your return. Write it down in a secure location or save it in a password-protected file on your computer.

Who Gets an IRS Identity Protection PIN?

Not everyone receives an IP PIN. The IRS assigns them to specific groups of people. The primary group includes individuals who have been victims of tax-related identity theft. If the IRS detects that someone filed a fraudulent return using your Social Security number, they will contact you and assign you an IP PIN for the following tax year. This prevents the thief from filing again using your information.

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The second group includes people who are enrolled in the IRS's ongoing IP PIN program. This is a voluntary program for people who want extra protection against identity theft but haven't necessarily been victims yet. Certain states also participate in an IP PIN program. For example, as of 2024, residents of Georgia and Louisiana can participate in a state-level IP PIN program that works alongside the federal system. The IRS has also been expanding the IP PIN program to additional states.

Active duty military members in certain locations also receive IP PINs. The military and IRS have partnered to protect service members' tax information because military personnel may face higher risks of identity theft.

Additionally, people who have reported identity theft to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) may receive communications about the IP PIN program. While FTC registration doesn't automatically give you an IP PIN, it can flag your account for additional monitoring.

The IRS also sends IP PINs to people who contact them directly after experiencing tax-related identity theft. If you call the IRS and report that someone filed a return in your name, they can issue an IP PIN to protect you going forward.

It's important to note that the IRS doesn't send IP PINs to everyone. Millions of people file taxes successfully every year without one. If you haven't experienced identity theft and your state doesn't have an active IP PIN program, you likely won't have an IP PIN. This doesn't mean you're unprotected—it simply means the IRS hasn't identified a reason to issue you one.

Practical Takeaway: Check your mail regularly from January through March. The IRS will send your IP PIN notice by mail, not email. If you think you might be a candidate for an IP PIN (such as having been a victim of identity theft), you can contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 to discuss your situation.

How to Receive and Locate Your IP PIN

The IRS mails IP PINs directly to your address on file. You won't receive it via email or text message—only through the U.S. Postal Service. The notice typically arrives between January and early March, which gives you time to receive it before the tax filing season peaks. The notice comes in an official IRS envelope and includes your six-digit IP PIN clearly printed on it.

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When you receive your IP PIN notice, it will also include instructions on how to use the number when filing your return. The notice is typically a single sheet of paper that explains what an IP PIN is and why you received one. The IRS recommends keeping this notice in a safe place until after you file your taxes for that year.

If you misplace your notice or don't receive it in the mail, you can retrieve your IP PIN through several methods. The first method is to use the IRS's online tool called the "IP PIN Retrieval Tool" on the IRS website at irs.gov. This tool allows you to look up your current IP PIN by entering personal information like your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status. You'll need to verify your identity through the system before it displays your PIN.

The second method is to call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040. A representative can verify your identity and provide your IP PIN over the phone. You can ask them to mail a new copy of your notice if you've lost it.

The third method is to visit a local IRS office in person. While this requires more effort, an IRS employee can look up your information and provide your IP PIN immediately. You'll need to bring valid identification with you.

Some people check their IP PIN status even before receiving their notice in the mail. If you know you should receive one (for example, because you were notified of identity theft), you can proactively use the IP PIN Retrieval Tool to check if it's been issued yet.

One important note: if you file taxes with a professional tax preparer or through tax software, you'll need to provide your IP PIN to them during the preparation process. They will enter it into your return alongside your Social Security number.

Practical Takeaway: Save your IP PIN notice in a drawer or file folder with your other important tax documents. Take a photo of it with your phone and store it in a secure location (like a password-protected notes app) as a backup. This way, you'll have it available on tax day even if you can't find the original paper.

How to Use Your IP PIN When Filing Taxes

Using your IP PIN when you file is straightforward, whether you file electronically or by mail. The process varies slightly depending on how you choose to file, but the basic principle is the same: you must enter your IP PIN along with your Social Security number for the IRS to accept your return.

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If you file electronically through tax software or a tax professional, the software will have a specific field labeled "IP PIN" or "Identity Protection PIN." You simply type your six-digit number into this field. The software will then include it in your electronic return when it's submitted to the IRS. Most modern tax software recognizes that you have an IP PIN and prompts you to enter it automatically if your account is flagged in their system.

If you file by mail using a paper Form 1040 (the main individual income tax form), you'll write your IP PIN in a designated space on the form itself. The IRS provides clear instructions on the form showing where the PIN should be entered. You would write it on the line next to your Social Security number in the identification section at the top of the form.

It's critical that you enter your IP PIN correctly. A mistake in the PIN (such as typing 123456 when it's actually 125436) can cause your return to be rejected or delayed. The IRS will send it back to you for correction. For this reason, it's important to double-check the number before submitting your return, whether electronically or by mail.

If you forget your IP PIN or can't find it, you have options. You can retrieve it using the methods described in the previous section (using the IP PIN Retrieval