An Identity Protection PIN, or IP PIN, is a six-digit number the IRS issues so that nobody else can file a federal return using your Social Security number or ITIN. Anyone who can verify their identity can enroll, whether or not they have to file. The fastest route is your IRS online account.
Who can get an IP PIN?
Anyone with a Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) who can prove their identity. You do not need to be a victim of identity theft, and you can enroll even if you are not required to file a return. A parent or legal guardian can request one for a dependent. If you or your dependent is under 18, the online tool is not available, so use one of the other routes below.
Three ways to enroll
| Route | Who it suits | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Online account | Anyone who can verify identity online | Fastest. Sign in, open your profile and find the IP PIN section. If you have no IRS online account, you register first. |
| Form 15227 by phone check | Adjusted gross income on your last filed return below $84,000 (single) or $168,000 (married filing jointly), a valid SSN or ITIN and a phone | The IRS calls the number you list to verify you. The PIN usually comes by mail in four to six weeks. |
| In person | Anyone who cannot verify online and does not qualify for Form 15227 | Make an appointment at a Taxpayer Assistance Center and bring one government photo ID plus one more ID. The PIN usually comes by mail within three weeks. |
For a dependent in person, bring your own two IDs plus two documents for the dependent, such as a birth certificate and Social Security card.
How to use the PIN
Enter the six digits when your tax software asks for them, or give them to the tax professional preparing your return. Use the current year's PIN on any Form 1040, 1040-SR, 1040-NR, 1040-PR or 1040-SS you file during the year, even for a prior tax year.
The online account generally shows the current PIN from mid-January through mid-November. If you enrolled online, no notice is mailed each year, so you must look it up again each January. Only confirmed identity-theft victims get a mailed notice with a new PIN.
Example
This example uses invented facts. Priya plans to file in the first weeks of 2027 and signs in to her IRS online account in early November 2026 to enroll. In January 2027 she signs in again, copies the new six-digit PIN and gives it to her preparer with her other tax papers. Her return e-files without a problem. Had she typed an old PIN, the return would have been rejected and she would have needed to re-send it.
Common mistakes
- Waiting until January, then finding the enrollment tool down for maintenance.
- Using last year's PIN. A new one is generated each year.
- Sharing the PIN by email, text or social media. Give it only to your tax preparer when you are ready to file.
- Treating an email or text that offers to get you a PIN as real. Enroll only through IRS.gov.
What to do next
- Decide whether you want the extra protection, especially if your information has been exposed or a return has been rejected as already filed.
- Enroll through your IRS online account, or request Form 15227 or an appointment if you cannot.
- Store the PIN safely and bring it to your preparer in January.
- If you receive an IRS letter asking you to verify a return you did not file, read our guide to identity theft and the IRS before responding.
We can help you work out whether a letter is genuine and how it fits with your return. See our guide is this IRS letter real and the rest of our tax questions. This page is general information for tax year 2026 and filing in 2027, not advice for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an IP PIN if I have never had identity theft?
No. It is optional protection. The IRS says you can enroll even if you are not required to file.
What if I lose my PIN?
If you enrolled online, sign in to your online account and view it again. Do not file Form 15227 to replace a lost PIN. The IRS has a separate help page for a lost or missing PIN.
Can I remove the PIN later?
The IRS page we read describes no opt-out for people who enrolled online. It says only that people in the one-time enrollment option are opted out at the end of the calendar year. Ask the IRS if you need to stop.
Does the PIN speed up my refund?
No. It prevents someone else filing under your number. For timing, see where is my tax refund.
Is a call asking for my PIN real?
No. The IRS says it will never call, email, text or use social media to request your PIN.
Official sources
- IRS: Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)
- IRS: IR-2026-127, take steps now to protect tax information
- IRS: Refunds, Where's My Refund?
This page is a plain-language summary. The official source controls if there is any difference.
General information only, not tax, legal or accounting advice for your situation. Rules, limits and deadlines change; confirm the current rules with the official source or a qualified professional before you act. Reading this page does not create a professional relationship with CPA Tax Payroll and Accounting Corp.