IRS Office Visit Guide
How to get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)
The six-digit number that stops anyone else from filing a return with your SSN. Online, by mail, or in person at a TAC.
An Identity Protection PIN is a six-digit code the IRS issues to you and nobody else. Once you have one, any return filed under your Social Security number without it is rejected. It is the single most effective step against tax-related identity theft, and it is free.
Fastest route: the "Get an IP PIN" tool inside your IRS Online Account. The PIN appears on screen immediately.
Who should get one
Anyone. The program used to be limited to confirmed identity theft victims, but it is now open to every taxpayer who can verify their identity. If your SSN has ever been in a data breach, get one this year.
Option 1: Online
Sign in or create an IRS Online Account, verify through ID.me, and open the IP PIN tool. The PIN is issued on the spot and a new one is generated automatically every January.
Option 2: Form 15227 by mail
If you cannot verify online and your income is below the threshold set in the form instructions, mail or fax Form 15227. The IRS calls the number you provide to verify identity, then mails the PIN. It takes four to six weeks and the PIN is valid for the following filing season, not the current one.
Option 3: In person at a TAC
Book through 844-545-5640 and bring two forms of ID, one with a photo. The representative verifies your identity and the PIN is mailed within three weeks. This is the route when online verification fails and you are above the Form 15227 income limit.
Using the PIN
- Enter it on your Form 1040 where prompted. Tax software asks for it automatically.
- It is valid for one calendar year. Retrieve the new one each January from your Online Account.
- Spouses and dependents each need their own PIN if they have one.
- Never give it to anyone who calls or emails asking for it. The IRS does not request it by phone.
Lost your PIN?
Retrieve it from the Online Account tool. If you cannot access the account, a TAC can reissue it in person. Do not file without it — the return will be rejected or, on paper, delayed by months of manual review.
Frequently asked questions
Can I opt out once enrolled?
If you enrolled voluntarily, you can opt out through the online tool. Confirmed identity theft victims cannot opt out.
Does the IP PIN replace my SSN on the return?
No. It is entered in addition to your SSN. Both are required.