Identity stolen Request an Identity Protection PIN from the IRS
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The Internal Revenue Service today reminded all taxpayers – particularly those who are identity theft victims – of an important step they should take to protect themselves from tax fraud.
Some identity thieves use taxpayers' information to file fraudulent tax returns. By requesting Identity Protection PINs from the Get an IP PIN tool on IRS.gov, taxpayers can prevent thieves from claiming tax refunds in their names.
Identity Protection PINs and how to get one
An IP PIN is a six-digit number the IRS assigns to an individual to help prevent the misuse of their Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) on federal income tax returns. The IP PIN protects the taxpayer's account, even if they're no longer required to file a tax return, by rejecting any e-filed return without the taxpayer's IP PIN
Taxpayers should request an IP PIN:
If they want to protect their SSN or ITIN with the IRS,
If they want to protect their dependent's SSN or ITIN with the IRS,
If they think their SSN, ITIN or personal information was exposed by theft or fraudulent acts or
If they suspect or confirm they're a victim of identity theft.
Taxpayers can go to IRS.gov/getanippin to complete a thorough authentication check. Once authentication is complete, an IP PIN will be provided online immediately. A new IP PIN is generated every year for added security. Once an individual is enrolled in the IP PIN program, there's no way to opt-out.
The IRS may automatically assign an IP PIN if the IRS determines the taxpayer's a victim of tax-related identity theft. The taxpayer will receive a notification confirming the tax-related ID theft incident along with an assigned IP PIN for future tax-return filings.
Taxpayers will either receive a notice with their new IP PIN every year in early January for the next filing season or they must retrieve their IP PIN by going to IRS.gov.
Tax-related identity theft and how to handle it
Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses a taxpayer's stolen SSN to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent refund. In the vast majority of tax-related identity theft cases, the IRS identifies a suspicious tax return and pulls the suspicious return for review. The IRS then sends a letter to the taxpayer and won't process the tax return until the taxpayer responds.
Depending on the situation, the taxpayer will receive one of three letters asking them to verify their identity:
Letter 5071C, asks them to use an online tool to verify their identity and tell the IRS if they filed the return in question.
Letter 4883C, asks the taxpayer to call the IRS to verify their identity and tell the IRS if they filed the return.
For those who have been a victim of a data breach, they may receive Letter 5747C and be asked to verify their identity in-person at a Taxpayer Assistance Center.
If the taxpayer receives any of these letters, they don't need to file an Identity Theft Affidavit (Form 14039). Instead, they should follow the instructions in the letter.
