What’s an IP PIN?
An IP PIN is a six-digit number assigned to eligible taxpayers that helps prevent the misuse of their Social Security number on fraudulent federal income tax returns.
Requesting an IP PIN is strictly voluntary. If you choose not to participate in the program by not requesting an IP PIN, you can file your return as you would normally. If you are assigned or if you request an IP PIN, you must use it to confirm your identity on any tax returns filed electronically during the calendar year. A new IP PIN is generated for each filing season and can be retrieved starting in mid-January of each year by logging into the account you create. At this time, if you choose to receive an IP PIN, you must use your IP PIN for all future filings.
Getting Your IP PIN
To get your IP PIN, you must be eligible as determined in Step 1 below. Your IP PIN will be displayed to you online once we verify your identity. A new IP PIN is generated for each filing season and can be retrieved starting in mid-January of each year by logging into the account you create.
1. Determine your eligibility…
Already have an IP PIN?
You may retrieve your IP PIN to file your current or prior year tax returns in 2019 if:
- You lost the CP01A Notice we sent you with your new IP PIN, or
- You didn’t receive your new IP PIN and you had one before, or
- We rejected your e-file return because your IP PIN was missing or incorrect
Want to request an IP PIN?
You may choose to get an IP PIN if:
- You received an IRS letter inviting you to ‘opt-in’ to get an IP PIN, or
- You filed your federal tax return last year with an address in Florida, Georgia, District of Columbia, Michigan, California, Maryland, Nevada, Delaware, Illinois, or Rhode Island.
2. What you need…
To get an IP PIN, you must pass our identity verification secure access process.
3. Get your IP PIN!
Note: If you previously registered for an IP PIN, Get Transcript, View Your Tax Account or an Online Payment Agreement, you should log in with the same username and password. You may be required to verify your identity again.
Unable to Get Your IP PIN Online?
If you’re unable to get your IP PIN using our Get An IP PIN tool, go to Retrieve Your IP PIN to see if you meet the requirements to have an IP PIN reissued.
Here’s what new users need to get started:
- A readily available email address;
- Your Social Security number;
- Your filing status and address from your last-filed tax return;
- Your personal account number from a:
- credit card, or
- student loan, or
- home mortgage loan, or
- home equity (second mortgage) loan, or
- home equity line of credit (HELOC), or
- car loan
(The IRS does not retain this data)
- A readily available mobile device. For instant access, your name must be associated with a U.S-based mobile phone capable of receiving text messages. If the mobile phone number cannot be linked to your name, you may opt for a mailed activation code during registration.
Note: The credit card cannot be American Express, a debit card, or a corporate card issued in your name by your company or organization.
Because this process involves verification using financial records, there may be a “soft inquiry” placed on your credit report. This notice does not affect your credit score. The IRS does not retain your financial account information.
If you have a pay-as-you-go mobile phone or a business/family plan mobile phone not associated with your name, you may request that we mail an activation code to the address we have on file for you. To complete the registration process, you still must have either 1) a U.S.-based phone to receive a security code via text/phone call or 2) the IRS2Go mobile application to receive a security code within the IRS2Go app.
If you have already created an account with Secure Access and need to change your phone number, you must re-register.
