IRS Urges Taxpayers to Obtain IP PINs Before System Maintenance Begins

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 23, 2024 – In the context of an increase in data gaps affecting millions of U.S. taxpayers, the Internal ​Tax Service (IRS) strongly ​advises people to provide a Personal Identity ​Protection Number ​(PIP) to protect them from tax-related identity theft. ​The IRS has announced that the PIN IP system will be subject to ​maintenance ​scheduled ​for Saturday, November 23, and will not be available until early January 2025.

An IPN is ​a unique six-digit code known only ​to ​the ​taxpayer and the IRS, designed to prevent unauthorized persons from filing a federal income tax return using another taxpayer’s social security number or identification number. Taxpayers who have already ​been victims of tax-related identity fraud often receive an IRS CP01A notice each year containing their PIN IP.

To obtain an IP PIN, taxpayers can visit the IRS “Get an ID PIN” page ​and create an online account to verify ​their identity. On the other hand, individuals with adjusted gross income of ​less than $73,000 for individual files or $146,000 for married couples who ​report jointly may submit the IRS 15227. After ​submitting this form, the IRS will conduct a telephone check and send the IPIN within four ​to ​six weeks. In-person assistance is also available at local tax centres by appointment.

Starting with the 2025 tax ​period, the IRS will ​accept income tax returns filed electronically by dependants claiming compensation on the return of another taxpayer, provided that the second file contains a valid IP. This change is intended to disseminate the filming process for those ​who claim credits such as the earned ​income tax credit or the child tax ​credit. Without IPN, email returns will be rejected in such cases, which could delay refunds.

Given ​the upcoming retention of the system and the ​increasing prevalence of tax-related ​identity theft, the IRS stresses the importance of quickly obtaining an IPN. Contributors ​are ​encouraged to act before the system works to ensure that their returns ​can be effectively processed when the presentation ​season begins in January 2025.