What an IRS Identity Protection PIN is and why you might need one

An Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) is a six-digit number the IRS issues to you to prevent someone else from filing a tax return using your Social Security number. You enter it on your return each year instead of relying on your SSN alone to prove you are who you say you are. The IRS does not force you to get one — it is optional — but you should consider it if you have been a victim of identity theft, if your SSN has been compromised, or if you work in a field where your personal information is at higher risk of exposure.

The PIN changes every year. If the IRS issues you one for a given tax year, you must use it on that year's return or the IRS will reject the filing. If you lose the PIN or forget it, you can request a new one from the IRS before the filing deadline.

Key Takeaways

  • You can request an IP PIN through the IRS website using an online tool, by phone, or by mail, depending on whether you have already been a victim of identity theft.
  • If the IRS has already issued you an IP PIN for a tax year, you must enter it on your return or your filing will be rejected.
  • The online tool requires you to verify your identity using information from your credit file, so you will need access to a computer and a valid email address.
  • If you cannot verify your identity online, you can call the IRS or mail a form, but both routes take longer.
  • A new PIN is issued each tax year and expires at the end of that year; you do not need to renew it unless you want one for the next year.

Requesting an IP PIN online through the IRS website

The fastest way to request an IP PIN is through the IRS's online tool, called the IP PIN Opt-In tool. Go to irs.gov, search for "IP PIN", and look for the link to the tool. You will need to enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status, then answer security questions based on information from your credit file. The IRS uses this to verify you are the real owner of the SSN.

If the verification succeeds, the IRS will issue your PIN on the spot and display it on your screen. Write it down immediately — the IRS does not email it to you, and you cannot retrieve it later from the website. If verification fails, the tool will tell you that you cannot use the online method and will direct you to call or mail a form instead.

The online tool is usually available starting in late January each year and closes in mid-April. If you miss that window, you can still request a PIN by phone or mail, but you will not receive it in time to file electronically on the original deadline.

Requesting an IP PIN by phone

Call the IRS at 1-800-908-4490 to request an IP PIN. Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status ready. The IRS representative will verify your identity by asking questions about your credit history or tax records, then issue your PIN over the phone. Write it down before you hang up.

Phone lines are busiest in February and March. Wait times can exceed an hour, especially early in the tax season. If you reach a representative and they cannot verify your identity, they will tell you to use the online tool or mail a form instead.

Requesting an IP PIN by mail

If you cannot verify your identity online or by phone, you can request an IP PIN by mail. Download Form 15227 from irs.gov, fill it out, and mail it to the address shown on the form. Include a copy of your government-issued ID and proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease).

Mailed requests take four to six weeks to process. The IRS will mail your PIN to the address on file. If you are filing before the PIN arrives, you can file without it and amend your return later once you receive it — though this creates extra work and delays any refund.

What to do if you have already been a victim of identity theft

If someone has already filed a fraudulent return using your SSN, the IRS will have issued you an IP PIN automatically. You do not need to request one. The IRS will mail it to you, usually within two weeks of detecting the fraud. If you do not receive it by mid-February, call 1-800-908-4490 to confirm the IRS has your correct mailing address.

If you have filed a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) about identity theft, you can use your FTC report number to speed up the verification process when requesting an IP PIN online or by phone. Have the report number ready when you contact the IRS.

Using your IP PIN when you file

When you file your tax return — whether electronically or on paper — you will see a field for your IP PIN. Enter the six-digit number exactly as the IRS issued it. If you file electronically and enter the wrong PIN or leave the field blank when you should have filled it, the IRS will reject your return and send it back to you.

If you file on paper and forget to include the PIN, the IRS will still process your return, but it may take longer because the IRS will have to verify that you are the legitimate filer. If someone else has already filed using your SSN and your PIN, the IRS will catch the duplicate and reject the fraudulent return.

What happens if you lose or forget your IP PIN

If you lose your PIN before you file, you can request a new one using any of the three methods above — online, by phone, or by mail. The IRS will issue a replacement PIN at no cost. If you have already filed and then realize you entered the wrong PIN, contact the IRS immediately at 1-800-908-4490 to report the error. You may need to file an amended return.

If the filing deadline has passed and you have not yet filed, you can still request a PIN and file late. The IRS will not penalize you for filing late if you have a valid reason — such as waiting for your PIN to arrive — though you may owe interest on any taxes owed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to get an IP PIN, or is it optional?

It is optional. You can file without one. However, if the IRS has already issued you one because of identity theft or fraud, you must use it on your return or your filing will be rejected.

Can I use the same IP PIN for multiple years?

No. Each IP PIN is valid for only one tax year. At the end of that year, it expires. If you want one for the next year, you must request a new one.

What if I cannot verify my identity online or by phone?

You can mail Form 15227 with copies of your ID and proof of address. The IRS will verify your identity by mail and send your PIN to you. This takes four to six weeks, so plan ahead if you need the PIN before the filing deadline.

Will the IRS email me my IP PIN?

No. The IRS does not email PINs. If you request one online, it appears on your screen once — write it down immediately. If you request one by phone, write it down during the call. If you request one by mail, the IRS mails it to your address on file.

What if someone files a return using my SSN before I get my IP PIN?

The IRS will detect the duplicate filing and reject the fraudulent return. The IRS will then issue you an IP PIN automatically and mail it to you. Report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov so you have a record of the fraud.