The IRS IP PIN is a free six-digit code that helps prevent someone else from filing a federal tax return using your Social Security Number (SSN) or your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). You can request it even if you have never been a victim of identity theft and even if you are not required to file taxes.
The Internal Revenue Service of the United States (IRS) reminded on October 22, 2026, that those wishing to protect themselves before the 2027 tax season should be aware of the closure of their online tool for annual maintenance, scheduled for mid-November. The service typically becomes available again in mid-January. The agency did not announce an exact closing date in that statement.
The request is made from the official page to obtain an IP PIN in Spanish. There is no need to pay a company to get it.
What is the IRS IP PIN and who can obtain it?
IP PIN stands for Identity Protection Personal Identification Number. It is a personal identification number used for identity protection. This is a verification measure that the IRS employs when someone files a federal tax return. If you already have an assigned IP PIN, including an incorrect one or leaving it blank may cause the electronic return to be rejected or result in delays for paper submissions.
Any person with a valid SSN or ITIN who can verify their identity may apply for it. It is not a benefit reserved for U.S. citizens: a taxpayer filing with an ITIN can also obtain it. Parents and legal guardians can request an IP PIN for their dependents.
The IP PIN is not a bank account number, an IRS portal password, or an authorization to work. It also does not replace the SSN or ITIN. Its specific function is to make it more difficult for a fraudulent federal tax return to be filed in your name.
How to obtain the IRS IP PIN for free online, step by step
1. Go to the official site. Open IRS.gov: Get an Identity Protection PIN and select the option to obtain the IP PIN. You can also start from your IRS online account for individuals or the official app of the agency.
2. Log in or create your account. If you do not yet have access, follow the IRS instructions to register and verify your identity. Without that verification, you will not be able to receive the number through the online system.
3. Find the IP PIN section in your profile. Once you are logged into your account or application, go to the Profile tab and locate the option for enrolling in the program.
4. Choose the type of enrollment. The system allows you to select continuous enrollment or one-time enrollment. The former maintains protection for subsequent years; the latter automatically ends at the conclusion of the calendar year in which you enroll.
5. Review and store your code. After you register and complete the verification, you will be able to check the IP PIN for that year in your profile. Keep it in a safe place. Do not share it until you are ready to file your declaration.
How to request the IP PIN without an online account: form 15227 and in-person appointment
If you are unable to verify your identity online, the IRS offers free alternatives. One option is the Form 15227, intended for individuals who do not yet have an IP PIN assigned and meet its requirements.
According to the current form as of January 2026, you must have an SSN or ITIN, access to a phone, and an adjusted gross income on your last filed return less than $84,000 for individual filings or less than $168,000 for married couples filing jointly. The IRS uses the provided phone number to verify your identity. If you exceed these limits, it does not mean you have to pay for an IP PIN: you can use another option.
The process for the form is not instantaneous. After verifying identity, the IRS indicates that the number usually arrives by postal mail in about four to six weeks. For those who cannot use the online system or the form, there is the option to request an appointment at a Taxpayer Assistance Center by calling 844-545-5640. Postal delivery after in-person verification typically takes about three weeks.
Important: Form 15227 is for requesting a first IP PIN; you should not use it to replace one that has already been assigned to you and is lost. There is a separate recovery procedure for that.
IP PIN 2026 and 2027: when the code changes and when the system closes
The IP PIN is valid for one calendar year, not for a lifetime. The number used in returns filed in 2026 is not the same as the one you'll need for returns filed in 2027, even if they correspond to income from the previous year. The IRS generates a new code each year.
If you register online in 2026 to maintain protection during the 2027 tax campaign, it is advisable to choose continuous enrollment. The one-time enrollment option automatically ends on December 31, 2026: if you want to remain protected in 2027, you will need to re-register. The IRS frequently asked questions, updated on October 30, 2026, explain both modalities.
For the 2027 tax filing season, participants with continuous enrollment must check their new 2027 IP PIN in the IRS account or app, typically starting in mid-January. The agency announced in a reminder on October 22, 2026 that the tool will undergo maintenance in mid-November and generally reopens in mid-January.
Those who have been registered by the IRS after a confirmed case of identity theft related to taxes usually receive the new number through a CP01A notice by postal mail. Individuals who registered online should check their code for each year in their account; they shouldn't necessarily expect a letter.
Where do you enter the IP PIN on the tax return?
When preparing the federal tax return online, enter the six-digit IP PIN in the field indicated by the tax program. If you are using a trusted preparer, provide them with that code when it comes time to prepare and submit the return. On a paper return, write it in the corresponding box on the form.
The IP PIN is used in federal returns of the series 1040, 1040-NR, 1040-PR, 1040-SR, and 1040-SS, as well as in amended returns like the 1040-X, according to the official FAQs. It is not a number that you need to include on a state return or on the federal extension form 4868.
If you are filing a joint return and both you and your spouse have an IP PIN, you must enter each individual's codes where applicable. There are also situations where a dependent's IP PIN is required when electronically filing a return that claims them.
If an electronic declaration is rejected due to a missing IP PIN or a code that does not match, make sure you are using the number for the year you are filing the declaration, not a previous one. The IP PIN enhances security, but the IRS clarifies that it does not, by itself, guarantee that the refund will arrive faster.
How to recover your IRS IP PIN if you lost it or didn't receive it
If you have already been assigned an IP PIN, the first step is to log in to your IRS account and check the IP PIN section of your profile. There, you can view the current code as long as the service is available.
If you cannot retrieve it online, the IRS indicates that you can call 800-908-4490, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time in the United States, to request assistance and, when applicable, a postal reissue. The agency warns that during the annual year-end maintenance, it may not be possible to resend the number by mail.
The IRS explains the procedure and its exceptions in its guide “Didn’t receive or lost your IP PIN?”. If you are unable to access the code and need to file your return, it is preferable to follow the procedure indicated by the agency rather than inventing a number or using last year's.
Can an IP PIN be requested for children or dependents?
Yes. Parents and guardians can request an IP PIN for their children and other dependents. If the dependent is under 18 years old, the IRS requires the use of one of the alternative registration methods, such as Form 15227 or in-person verification; one should not attempt to create a personal online account in the name of the minor.
When submitting an electronic declaration that claims a dependent with an IP PIN, it may also be necessary to enter the child's number on the corresponding form. The IRS outlines what documentation to bring to an office and when to use a dependent's code in the frequently asked questions section of the program.
What is the difference between an IP PIN and freezing credit?
Both measures help protect against identity theft, but they act on different processes. The IP PIN makes it harder for someone else to file a false federal tax return using your SSN or ITIN. It does not block a credit card, a bank account, or access to your credit history.
On the other hand, freezing credit with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion restricts access to the reports that many lenders use before opening new accounts. A person can utilize both protections simultaneously, as they cover different risks.
How to Protect Your IP PIN from Scams and Fraud
The IRS never calls, sends emails, texts, or contacts you through social media to ask for your IP PIN. Be wary of messages that promise a refund, threaten to lock your account, or ask you to provide the code on a website not affiliated with the IRS. A trusted tax preparer may need it when completing your return, but they do not need to know it months in advance.
Use the official portal IRS.gov/IPPIN, keep your account credentials secure, and check the new code each year before filing your taxes. If you suspect that someone has filed a return in your name, review the IRS guidelines on tax-related identity theft and follow the agency's procedures for your situation.
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