As the 2025 tax season approaches, the IRS encourages all taxpayers to take an important step to safeguard their identity by signing up for an identity protection personal identification number (IP PIN). This simple yet crucial step can provide an added layer of security, helping protect against tax-related identity theft.
Questions, Answers, Explanations
1. What is an IP PIN?
- The IRS Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) is a unique six-digit number that offers taxpayers an added layer of security.
- This PIN helps prevent others from filing tax returns under someone else’s identity, a critical safeguard against tax-related identity theft.
2. Why Use an IP PIN?
- Tax-related identity theft can result in delays, potential fraud, and complex issues with tax filings.
- The IP PIN program helps prevent unauthorized use of taxpayers’ Social Security numbers, offering greater peace of mind.
3. How the Program Works
- Taxpayers who enroll in the IP PIN program will receive a new six-digit PIN each year.
- This number must be included when filing tax returns, ensuring that only the authorized taxpayer can submit returns under their Social Security number.
4. Expansion to All Taxpayers
- Originally limited to certain cases, the IP PIN program is now open to all taxpayers who wish to participate.
- The IRS hopes this expansion will encourage more people to take proactive steps to protect their personal information.
5. How to Sign Up
- Taxpayers can register for an IP PIN online through the IRS’s secure portal.
- To complete the process, users need to verify their identities, requiring personal information and security measures for protection.
6. Program Benefits
- The IP PIN is free and voluntary, allowing individuals to opt in for an additional security measure without incurring costs.
- This program is especially useful for those who have previously experienced identity theft, as it prevents further incidents.
7. Important Reminders
- Taxpayers must keep their IP PIN secure and use it exclusively when filing their federal tax returns.
- The PIN changes annually, so participants will need to retrieve their new number each year before filing.
Final Thoughts
The IRS encourages taxpayers to consider the IP PIN as part of a broader approach to protecting their identities. With growing threats of cybercrime, the IP PIN program represents a simple, effective way for individuals to protect their tax information.
For those unable to create an Online Account, alternative methods are available, such as in-person authentication at a Taxpayer Assistance Center. More information is available on how to sign up at Get an identity protection PIN (IP PIN).