IRS Encourages Taxpayers to Use Identity Protection PIN

My article, Protect your identity before it’s too late!, discussed taxpayer identity theft and how the IRS’s Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) can provide an additional layer of protection. Before 2021, you had to be victim of identity theft in order to get an IP PIN. In 2021, it became available for all taxpayers. The information below discusses the IRS’s efforts to combat tax-related identity theft this tax season and steps you can take to obtain an IP PIN.

How to Protect Your Personal Tax Information for the 2022/2023 Tax Season

The IRS has joined with representatives of the software industry, tax preparation firms, payroll and tax financial product processors and state tax administrators (The Security Summit) to combat identity theft refund fraud to protect the nation’s taxpayers.

Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses your stolen personal information, including your Social Security number, to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent refund. Surprisingly, you may not even know you are a victim of identity theft until after the fact when you are notified by the IRS of a possible issue with your return.

Once you are a confirmed victim of identity theft and the IRS has resolved your tax account issues, the IRS will automatically enroll you in the Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) program. However, The Security Summit is expanding its efforts to encourage taxpayers to gain extra protection by acquiring an IP PIN before theft occurs.

Steps to getting an IRS IP PIN

1. Go to the IRS.gov website
2. Set up an account with all of your pertinent information including name, address, date of birth, and social security number.
3. Input your cell phone number so you can receive an activation code.
4. Finish setting up your account with a log in and password.

After you complete the steps, you will be issued a six digit IP PIN. You will need to enter this number on your return before filing it with the IRS.  If you try to efile your return without the IP PIN, the return will be rejected by the IRS. An IP PIN is valid for one calendar year only. For 2023, the “Get an IP PIN” tool on the IRS website is scheduled to become available on January 9.

You will automatically be issued a new IP PIN every tax year. You will simply log into your IRS account and generate a new IP PIN for the year. You will NOT need to go back through the application process. Anyone with a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number who can verify their identity is eligible for the IP PIN opt-in program.

Any eligible family member can get an IP PIN, including the primary taxpayer, the secondary taxpayer, or any of their dependents.

I have an IP PIN and I highly recommend you get one too. It’s a easy way to protect yourself from identity theft.

Questions on taxpayer security matters? Contact your Opportunity Advisor or Email | Call: 804.747.0000.