Skip to main content
    Step 1 of 5
    Government & Civic
    Beginner
    3 min read 5 stepsJuly 11, 2026Verified July 2026

    How to Get an IRS Identity Protection PIN

    Set up a free 6-digit IP PIN from the IRS so nobody else can file a tax return using your Social Security number.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Government & Civic
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    3 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    irs
    taxes
    identity protection
    scam prevention
    government

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Go to the official IRS site
    2. 2.Select "Get an IP PIN"
    3. 3.Verify your identity
    4. 4.Retrieve your PIN
    5. 5.Get a new PIN each January
    1

    Go to the official IRS site

    ~22s
    Type irs.gov/ippin directly into your browser's address bar rather than searching for it, since scam sites sometimes buy search ads that look like the real thing. The genuine IRS website always ends in .gov.

    Warning

    Never give your Social Security number or tax information to a site that isn't irs.gov, and never respond to a text or email claiming to be the IRS asking about your PIN.

    2

    Select "Get an IP PIN"

    ~15s
    Click the "Get an IP PIN" tool. You'll need to sign in or create an ID.me account, the same identity verification service used by several other government agencies, if you don't already have one.
    3

    Verify your identity

    ~21s
    You'll need a photo ID (driver's license or passport) and your Social Security number on hand. ID.me will ask you to take a photo of your ID and sometimes a selfie to confirm it's really you.

    Quick Tip

    If online verification doesn't work, you can also get an IP PIN by filing Form 15227 by mail or by making an appointment at a local IRS Taxpayer Help Center.

    4

    Retrieve your PIN

    ~15s
    Once verified, your 6-digit IP PIN appears on screen. Write it down and store it somewhere safe — you'll need to enter it every time you or your tax preparer files a federal return.
    5

    Get a new PIN each January

    ~18s
    A new IP PIN is generated automatically every year in early-to-mid January. Log back into the same IRS tool then to retrieve the new number before you file.

    Quick Tip

    If you use a paid tax preparer, give them your current PIN directly — never over email, since email accounts can be compromised.

    You Did It!

    You've finished reading: How to Get an IRS Identity Protection PIN

    How well did this guide stick with you?

    Need more help? Book a TekSure tech

    Tax return fraud happens when someone files a fake tax return using your name and Social Security number, hoping to collect your refund before you file your real one. The IRS's free Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) program stops this cold: once you have one, the IRS will reject any tax return filed under your Social Security number unless it includes your current 6-digit PIN, which only you know and which changes every year.

    Getting an IP PIN is one of the single most effective free steps anyone can take to protect themselves from tax identity theft, and the IRS recommends it for everyone, not just people who have already been victimized. It takes about ten minutes to set up online through the IRS's official identity verification system, and after the first year you can retrieve a new PIN each January.

    Beware of tax season phone calls, texts, or emails claiming to be from the IRS asking you to "verify" your PIN or Social Security number — the real IRS never initiates contact this way and never asks for your PIN over the phone. Source: irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin.

    Rate this guide

    How helpful was this guide?

    irs
    taxes
    identity protection
    scam prevention
    government

    Official Resources

    USA.gov — Government ServicesSSA — Social SecurityBenefits.govIRS Free File

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

    ← Previous

    How to Spot a Fake Charity Before You Donate

    Next →

    How to Recognize a Fake "Your Computer Is Infected" Pop-Up

    Still stuck? Let a pro handle it.

    A real person can walk you through this over the phone, anywhere in the US. If we can't fix it, you don't pay.

    Book a Verified Tech How It Works

    Learn more from official sources

    Related Guides

    How to Set Up a My Social Security Account Online

    Create your free my Social Security account at ssa.gov to view statements, check benefits, and manage your information online.

    3 min read

    How to Use Medicare.gov to Find Your Benefits

    Log in to Medicare.gov to check your coverage, find doctors, compare plans, and understand what Medicare pays for.

    3 min read

    How to File Taxes Online Using Free File (IRS.gov)

    File your federal taxes for free through the IRS Free File program — no cost, no catch, and available to most taxpayers.

    3 min read