Identity Protection PIN Opt-In Program Will Expand to Taxpayers Nationwide

Beginning in mid-January, the Identity Protection PIN Opt-In Program will be available to all taxpayers who can verify their identities.

The IP PIN is a six-digit number assigned to eligible taxpayers to help prevent the misuse of their Social Security number on fraudulent federal income tax returns. The IP PIN aids the IRS in authenticating a taxpayer’s identity and accept their electronic or paper return.

The IP PIN is valid for one year. Each January, the taxpayer must obtain a newly generated IP PIN.

How to get your IP PIN

In order to opt in, taxpayers will need to pass a thorough identity verification process using Secure Access authentication, an online tool which uses numerous different ways to verify a person’s identity. Taxpayers should review the requirements at IRS.gov/secureaccess.

For taxpayers that can’t pass Secure Access authentication, there are other ways to do so. Taxpayers with incomes less than $72,000 and with access to a telephone should complete Form 15227, Application for an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (available in January 2021) and mail or fax it to the IRS. They will receive a phone call from an IRS assistor to verify their identity.

Taxpayers who are unable to verify their identities remotely or who are ineligible to file a Form 15227, may make an appointment to visit a Taxpayer Assistance Center and must bring two forms of picture identification.