A free six-digit number from the IRS can stop scammers from filing a tax return in your name. Here’s what it is, how it works, and how to get one if you haven’t yet — step by step.
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The IRS IP PIN (Identity Protection PIN) is one of the most underused identity protection tools. It’s free, available to all taxpayers since 2021, and stops scam filings — yet most people have never heard of it.
That’s a problem because according to IRS Criminal Investigation, about $4.5 billion in tax fraud was identified in 2025 alone. Tax identity theft often starts quietly, and you may only find out when your real return gets rejected.
To get an IRS IP PIN, go directly to IRS.gov, sign in to or create your IRS Online Account, verify your identity through ID.me, and Get a PIN.
Why You Need an IP PIN
An IP PIN (Identity Protection PIN) is a six-digit number linked to your IRS account. It matters because tax identity theft can happen before you even know your information is at risk.
A scammer does not need your full financial life to cause damage. In many cases, your Social Security number is enough.
Here’s how it usually works:
- A scammer gets your Social Security number through:
- a data leak
- a fake email
- a scam website
- stolen records online
- Then they use it to:
- file a fake tax refund in your name
- claim your return
- disappear with the money
Most people only find out when the IRS rejects their real tax return because someone already filed under their Social Security number.
And fixing the damage can take a very long time.
The agency’s own Taxpayer Advocate Service reported that victims waited an average of 676 days to have their cases resolved in 2024.
Futureproof scans your data for leaks and shows exactly how to close security gaps — before scammers find them first.
Check my safetyWhy Scammers File Early: The Tricky Part Most People Don’t Realize
Scammers usually file fake returns early in the tax season — often in January. That’s because the IRS processes returns in the order they arrive.
If a scammer files first using your Social Security number:
- their fake return gets accepted first
- your real return gets flagged as a duplicate
Filing early yourself helps, but the IP PIN gives you solid protection against tax scams.
What an IRS IP PIN Does
The IP PIN protects your tax data, stops a much bigger tax nightmare, and saves you months or even years of stress.
When you have this PIN:
- the IRS will not process a tax return under your Social Security number unless the correct PIN is included
- returns without the PIN are automatically rejected
No PIN = no tax return processing.
Even if someone has your Social Security number, they still can’t successfully file without your PIN.
Your IRS IP PIN is known only to you and the IRS, changes every year in January and is tied to your IRS account — not your email or phone number.
That makes it much harder for someone to reset or steal.
Can You Get An IRS IP PIN?
Yes, if you pay taxes.
Since 2021, the IRS has allowed all eligible taxpayers to request IP PIN for free — not just identity theft victims.
You can get this PIN if you have a Social Security number or ITIN and can verify your identity.
Note: if the IRS already confirmed you as a tax identity theft victim, you are automatically enrolled in the program. The IRS mails you a new PIN every January. You do not need to apply again.
How to Get An IRS IP PIN — 4 Simple Steps
The fastest way to get your IP PIN is through your IRS Online Account. The whole process takes about 15 minutes if you have your documents ready. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Go to IRS.gov
Type irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin directly into your browser.
Do not search “IRS IP PIN” and click the first result. Scam sites are designed to look legitimate. Only trust the address you type yourself.
Step 2: Create or log into your IRS Online Account
If you don’t have one yet, click “Create an account.” You’ll verify your identity through ID.me, a third-party service the IRS uses.
You’ll need a government-issued photo ID (passport or driver’s license), your Social Security number, and a working email address.
Note that a live selfie is required for first-time ID.me verification — it’s a one-time step.
Step 3: Find the IP PIN section in your Profile tab
Once logged in, go to your profile page. You’ll see an “Identity Protection PIN” section. Click “Get an IP PIN.”
You’ll be offered two options: continuous enrollment (you stay enrolled every year automatically) or one-time enrollment (active for the current year only).
Continuous enrollment is the better choice for most people.
Step 4: Copy your PIN and store it safely
Your six-digit PIN will appear immediately.
Write it down and store it somewhere you’ll find it when you file — a secure notes app, a password manager, or a printed sheet kept with your tax documents.
Other Ways to Get an IRS IP PIN
If you cannot verify your identity online, you still have other options.
Other methods take longer, but they can help you get protected before someone files a tax return in your name.
1. The IRS Confirmed You as an Identity Theft Victim
If the IRS already confirmed that someone used your identity for tax fraud, you do not need to apply for an IP PIN yourself.
The IRS will automatically enroll you in the IP PIN program.
How it works:
- The IRS confirms your tax identity theft case.
- You are added to the IP PIN program.
- Each January, the IRS mails you a CP01A notice.
- That notice includes your new six-digit IP PIN.
- You use that PIN when filing your federal tax return.
Important: Your PIN changes every year, so do not reuse last year’s number.
2. Get an IP PIN With Form 15227
You can use Form 15227 if you:
- have a Social Security number or ITIN
- have access to a phone
- can complete identity verification by phone
- meet the IRS income limits for this method (gross income below $84,000 for individuals and below $168,000 for married filing jointly).
How it works:
- Download or request IRS Form 15227.
- Fill out the form with your personal information.
- Send the form to the IRS.
- The IRS will call you to verify your identity.
- If your identity is confirmed, the IRS mails your IP PIN to your address.
This method is slower than the online option because the PIN is sent by mail.
3. Get an IP PIN In Person
You can also verify your identity at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center.
This may be a good option if:
- you cannot verify online
- you cannot complete the phone method
- you need help proving your identity
How it works:
- Schedule an appointment at a Taxpayer Assistance Center.
- Bring a government-issued photo ID.
- Bring your Social Security card or ITIN documents.
- The IRS representative verifies your identity.
- If approved, the IRS mails your IP PIN to your address.
This is usually the slowest option, but it can help if the other methods do not work.
How To Get A New PIN Each Year
Your PIN expires at the end of each calendar year, and a new one is generated automatically in January. How you receive your new PIN depends on how you enrolled.
| Enrollment Method | How To Get Your New PIN | How Fast |
| IRS Online Account | Log in and get it from your Profile tab, starting mid-January | Immediately |
| Confirmed identity theft victim | IRS mails a CP01A notice to your address | Takes longer than online |
| Form 15227 (phone method) | IRS mails your PIN to your address | Takes longer than online |
| In-person at Taxpayer Assistance Center | IRS mails your PIN to your address | Longest wait |
Can You Get the IP PIN for Your Child or Dependents?
Yes — and many people don’t realize how important this is.
Children’s Social Security numbers are common targets because:
- they usually have clean records
- scammers can misuse them for years before anyone notices
You can also request an IP PIN for elderly parents and other dependents you claim.
If your dependent has a PIN, you must include it when filing their tax return.
For dependents, you’ll usually need Form 15227 or an in-person visit to an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center.
After You Get Your IP PIN: 4 Things to Remember
Getting a PIN closes the tax filing door, but scammers will look for other ways to steal your information. Here’s what you need to keep in mind:
1. The IRS will never ask for your IP PIN by phone, text, or email
If you receive a call or message claiming to be from the IRS and asking for your PIN, it is a scam. The IRS communicates through official mail and your online account only.
2. Only share your PIN with your tax preparer
No other person or organization has a legitimate reason to request it. If your tax software or a “tax service” asks you to provide your PIN outside of a return filing, stop and verify through irs.gov directly.
3. Watch for fake emails around filing season
Criminals know the IP PIN exists and may try to trick you into entering your PIN on a fake IRS lookalike page. The real IRS login is at irs.gov — type it, don’t click links in emails.
4. Keep your address current with the IRS
If the IRS needs to mail you anything — including a CP01A notice — an outdated address means you miss it. Update your address when you file.
Scammers also rely a lot on personal information that has already appeared in data leaks, like email addresses, phone numbers, or Social Security numbers.
With Futureproof, you can check if your personal information was leaked at any given time and get a personalized action plan to secure your accounts.
Your digital safety matters — don’t leave it unprotected.
The Best Time to Get the IP PIN Is Before You Need It
Most people only learn about IRS IP PINs after someone already used their Social Security number to file a fake return.
By then, the refund may already be gone and fixing the damage brings a lot of frustration.
An IP PIN helps stop that chain reaction before it starts.
It takes minutes to set up, costs nothing, and adds a protection step that scammers cannot bypass — even if they already have your Social Security number.
The safest tax return is the one criminals can’t file in the first place.
At Futureproof, Kevin explains digital safety in simple words, with clear tips and zero fluff. He holds a degree in information technology and studies fraud trends to keep his tips up-to-date.
In his free time, Kevin plays with his cat, enjoys board-game nights, and hunts for New York’s best cinnamon rolls.
