Jump to content
ATX Community

IRS Expands Identity Protection PIN Program


Yardley CPA

Recommended Posts

Not sure if this topic has already been discussed in this forum or not, but here is some information on the expanded program.  I think it's a terrific idea but I can see issues if clients lose their assigned PIN.  

https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/irs-expanding-ip-pin-opt-in-program-to-all-taxpayers

 

IRS expanding IP PIN opt-in program to all taxpayers

By Michael Cohn December 03, 2020, 11:45 a.m. EST 3 Min Read

Close extra sharing options

The IP PIN is a six-digit number that is assigned by the IRS to eligible taxpayers to help safeguard their Social Security number from being used on fraudulent federal income tax returns. An IP PIN also helps the IRS verify a taxpayer’s identity and accept their electronic or paper tax return.

The IRS made the announcement Wednesday as part of its National Tax Security Awareness Week initiative with its partners in the Security Summit, which includes major tax prep chains and software vendors, as well as state tax authorities.

The online Get an IP PIN tool at IRS.gov/IPPIN displays the taxpayer’s IP PIN. It employs Secure Access authentication, which uses several different ways to verify a person’s identity.

“When you have this special code, it prevents someone else from filing a tax return with your Social Security number,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig in a statement. “The fastest way to get an Identity Protection PIN is to use our online tool but remember you must pass a rigorous authentication process. We must know that the person asking for the IP PIN is the legitimate taxpayer.”

For taxpayers who can’t pass Secure Access authentication, there are some alternatives. Taxpayers with incomes of $72,000 or less and with access to a phone can fill out a Form 15227 and mail or fax it to the IRS. An IRS employee will call the taxpayer to verify their identity by asking a series of questions. Taxpayers who pass the authentication will receive an IP PIN the following tax year.

Taxpayers who can’t verify their identities remotely or who are ineligible to file a Form 15227 can make an appointment with an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center and bring two forms of picture identification. Because this is an in-person identity verification, an IP PIN will be mailed to the taxpayer within three weeks.

Taxpayers who get an IP PIN should never share their code with anyone but their trusted tax provider. The IRS will never call to request the taxpayer’s IP PIN, and taxpayers should beware of potential IP PIN scams.

The Get an IP PIN tool will be available starting in mid-January. This is the preferred way to get an IP PIN, and it’s the only one that immediately reveals the PIN to the taxpayer. Taxpayers who want to voluntarily opt into the IP PIN program don’t need to file a Form 14039, "Identity Theft Affidavit."

The IP PIN will be valid for only one year. Each January, the taxpayer needs to get a new IP PIN. The IP PIN has to be entered properly on any electronic or paper tax return to avoid being rejected or delayed. Taxpayers with either a Social Security number or Individual Tax Identification Number who can verify their identities are eligible for the opt-in program.

Any primary taxpayer (who is listed first on the tax return), or a secondary taxpayer (who is listed second on the return) or dependent can get an IP PIN if they can pass the identity-proofing requirements. The IRS intends to offer an opt-out feature in the IP PIN program in 2022 if taxpayers decide it’s not right for them.

The IRS noted that there’s no change in the longstanding IP PIN program for confirmed victims of tax-related identity theft. Those taxpayers should still file a Form 14039 if their e-filed tax return is rejected because of a duplicate Social Security number filing. The IRS will look into their case and once the fraudulent tax return is removed from their account, confirmed victims automatically will get an IP PIN through the mail at the beginning of the following calendar year.

IP PINs will be mailed every year to confirmed identity theft victims only and participants enrolled prior to 2019. Because of security risks, confirmed ID theft victims can’t opt out of the IP PIN program. Confirmed ID theft victims can use the Get an IP PIN tool to retrieve any lost IP PINs that have been assigned to them.

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/13/2021 at 10:12 AM, cbslee said:

🤔Yeah, I saw that announcement when it came out. My main hesitation is that it only good for 12 months and you have to reapply every January, which has it's pros & cons

If the IRS isn't going to automatically send a new one, that's nuts. When you're already a victim of ID theft, they mail you a new PIN every year, automatically.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I always file extensions and like many of you I was preparing returns back when we had to enter our SocSec number as preparer. So it’s out there everywhere and  I’ve always  been a little concerned about ID theft and a false return.
 

As soon as they opened up the ability to opt in I got on board. It took about a minute. It’s my understanding the IRS will now automatically send me a new  one every year. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 hours ago, JohnH said:


 

As soon as they opened up the ability to opt in I got on board. It took about a minute. It’s my understanding the IRS will now automatically send me a new  one every year. 

"The IP PIN will be valid for only one year. Each January, the taxpayer needs to get a new IP PIN"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 hours ago, Lion EA said:

And, once you opt in you need to get a new IP PIN each January until such time as the IRS adds an opt-out feature:

"The IRS intends to offer an opt-out feature in the IP PIN program in 2022 if taxpayers decide it’s not right for them."

I'm OK with that.  They know where I live, so I trust them to send me a new IP PIN in perpetuity if they wish.  I doubt I'd ever opt out anyhow even when it becomes available. I always owe, so all I care about is that nobody uses dummy info to claim a refund in my name before I get around to filing. 

I tried to get one a few years back, using as a reason the loss (or possible theft) of my wife's passport while we were out of the country.  But that excuse wouldn't fly. I was relieved to find out it's possible to opt in this year. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...