Articles

All Taxpayers Now Eligible for Identity Protection PINs by Jeffrey M. Mutnik, CPA/PFS

Posted on February 17, 2021

With the continuous rise of tax-related identify theft, the IRS has expanded its Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) Program, offering all U.S. taxpayers the ability to request an added level of security for verifying their identifies when filing taxes or dealing with the IRS.

The IRS introduced the IP PIN program nearly 10 years ago to protect known victims of identity theft from ongoing tax fraud, including circumstances in which criminals file fake tax returns and intercept tax refunds using victims’ personally identifiable information. The program essentially locks a taxpayers’ tax account until he or she can authenticate his or her identity with a unique, six-digit personal identification number (PIN) issued by the IRS and known only to the agency and the taxpayer. Tax returns that do not contain the correct IP PIN will be rejected when filed electronically; paper returns will be subject to additional scrutiny to prevent fraud.

The nationwide expansion of the IP PIN program gives all taxpayers a robust, easy-to-use option for verifying their identifies and reducing their risks of fraud. Simply visit IRS.gov/IPPIN and use the Get an IP PIN tool. Once you authenticate your identity, the website will reveal your 2021 IP PIN, which you may then use when filing your tax returns this year. Taxpayers who cannot verify their identities online can contact the IRS and make an appointment at a Taxpayer Assistance Center to verify their identities in person via two forms of identification, including one government-issued picture identification.

There is no longer a requirement for taxpayers to file identity theft affidavits to gain access to the program. However, those who are confirmed identity theft victims or who have filed an identity theft affidavit because of suspected stolen identity refund fraud will automatically receive an IP PIN via mail once their cases are resolved.

About the Author: Jeffrey M. Mutnik, CPA/PFS, is a director of Taxation and Financial Services with Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors + CPAs, where he provides tax- and estate-planning counsel to high-net-worth families, closely held businesses and professional services firms. He can be reached at the CPA firm’s Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., office at (954) 712-7000 or via email at info@bpbcpa.com.