This week, the IRS re-launched its Identity Protection Program (IP PIN), and all U.S. taxpayers are encouraged to register for added security against identity theft and false returns.
An Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) is a six-digit number assigned to a taxpayer that have to be used when filing a tax return. This number is valid just for the present 12 months and a brand new one is assigned each tax 12 months.
Because this PIN is understood only to you, your accountant (when you don’t self-file), and the IRS, it prevents fraudsters from filing your tax return using your Social Security number and private information.
In October, the IRS encouraged all taxpayers to enroll within the Identity Protection PIN program to guard themselves against fraudulent returns.
“As the 2025 tax season approaches, the IRS encourages all taxpayers to take an important step to protect their identity by registering for a Personal Identification Number (IP PIN),” the document reads IRS Bulletin from October.
“This simple but crucial step can provide an additional layer of security, helping protect against tax-related identity theft.”
However, this system was closed in December for maintenance and reopened this week.
U.S. taxpayers who’ve experienced tax-related identity theft up to now are routinely enrolled in this system. However, the IRS also strongly recommends that every one taxpayers use the Identity Protection PIN program to actively protect themselves against fraudulent returns designed to steal their tax refund.
For registered taxpayers, the IRS began notifying taxpayers this week that their 2025 IP PIN is accessible of their account on the IRS website. If you aren’t registered, it is best to achieve this immediately to forestall fraudsters from filing a return on your behalf before you could have filed the right return.
The IRS Identity Protection program for identification numbers is much more critical this 12 months, as an enormous breach of national public records exposed the Social Security numbers of greater than 100 million people.
Last 12 months, the IRS’s Taxpayer Protection Program (TPP). deemed 2.8 million tax returns suspiciouswhich makes it a threat value avoiding.
How to get your IP PIN
Taxpayers can get a PIN to guard your identity by creating an account on the web site website of the tax office and confirm their identity via ID.me.
Once you could have verified your account and logged in, you’ll be able to click the button Link to profile. Once you might be on your profile page, scroll down and join for the Identity Protection PIN program.
When you select to participate, you should have the choice to decide on “Continuing Registration” (receive one annual registration) or “One-Time Registration” (for the present calendar 12 months only). It is recommended that you simply select continuous registration to acquire an IP PIN yearly.
People who cannot register online also can request a PIN by submitting it Form 15227 so long as your adjusted gross income is $79,000 or less, or $158,000 or less for married filing jointly. You also can arrange a private meeting at Taxpayer Service Center.
Not registering an account and submitting Form 15227 stands out as the safest route since you can be shielded from potential information-stealing infections that steal your IRS account credentials.
Once you register, you’ll receive your Ping IP address within the mail on your CP01A notice or through your IRS account if you could have one. This IP PIN needs to be private and only shared with your accountant in the event that they are helping you file your return.
The IRS recommends that taxpayers register as early within the calendar 12 months as possible because cybercriminals often attempt to mail their tax returns before taxpayers file their very own.
In many cases, taxpayers do not understand they have been the victim of tax-related identity theft until they fight to file their return and discover that somebody has already filed it under their Social Security number.
Obtaining an IP PIN is free and establishing an account only takes somewhat time. However, it might probably prevent days of frustrating and stressful work attempting to resolve identity theft if a false return is filed under your Social Security number.