The Tax Refund Fraud Protection: Setting Up Your Personal IP PIN in Advance

Why Every Taxpayer Should Secure Their Refund With an IRS Identity Protection PIN

Tax refund fraud is one of the fastest-growing forms of identity theft. Criminals use stolen Social Security Numbers to file fraudulent tax returns early in the season—claiming the refund before the rightful taxpayer even files. By the time you submit your return, the IRS system may already have a fake one under your SSN.

But there is one powerful tool that stops this entirely: the IRS Identity Protection PIN, or IP PIN.

This unique six-digit PIN must be entered to file your tax return—otherwise, the IRS will automatically block fraudulent submissions. And now, every taxpayer is eligible to get one voluntarily.

This guide explains why setting up an IP PIN in advance is one of the smartest tax-protection moves you can make for the 2026 tax season.

What Is an IP PIN?

Your Identity Protection PIN is:

A six-digit number
Issued annually by the IRS
Assigned to your Social Security Number
Required to e-file your tax return

Without the correct PIN, no one—absolutely no one—can file a return using your identity.

Why You Need an IP PIN NOW (Not Later)

Most people only realize they need an IP PIN after fraud has happened. But by then:

A fake refund may already have been issued
Your refund may be frozen
You could undergo months of identity investigation
The IRS may require in-person verification

By setting up an IP PIN early, you block thieves before they even try.

Who Can Request an IP PIN?

In the past, only confirmed identity theft victims were eligible. Now:

All taxpayers in all states can obtain an IP PIN voluntarily.

This includes:

W-2 wage earners
Self-employed individuals
Seniors
Students
Unemployed filers
First-time filers
Everyone

If you have a Social Security Number or ITIN—you can get an IP PIN.

How to Sign Up for an IP PIN

You can request one online using the IRS’s secure verification system.

Go to:

IRS.gov → Identity Protection → Get an IP PIN

You must:

Verify your identity
Create an online account
Receive your PIN
Use that PIN on your tax return

Your PIN will change every year.

What Happens When You Use an IP PIN

Your return is authenticated
Fraudulent filings are blocked
Any return missing the PIN is automatically rejected
Identity thieves hit a digital wall

It is the strongest taxpayer-level protection the IRS offers.

If Criminals Have Your SSN—An IP PIN STILL Protects You

Even if a criminal possesses:

Your SSN
Your birthdate
Your legal name
Your prior addresses
Your employer data

They still cannot file in your name, because the IRS requires your unique PIN.

What If You Lose Your IP PIN?

You can retrieve it via:

Your IRS Online Account
or
By mailing identity documents for reissue

The IRS will never send your IP PIN through unverified phone or email channels.

IP PIN vs. 5071C vs. ID.me Verification

Here’s the difference:

5071C = “Verify AFTER suspected fraud”
IP PIN = “Prevent fraud BEFORE it occurs”

An IP PIN is proactive security—much more effective.

Warning: Do NOT Share Your IP PIN

Treat your PIN like a password.

Do not give it to:

Tax preparers you don’t fully trust
Anyone through text or email
Phone callers claiming to be IRS staff
Anyone requesting it via social media

Never reveal it outside of your verified tax filing platform.

Signs You Should Absolutely Get an IP PIN

You should get a PIN if you’ve ever experienced:

Identity theft
Data breaches
Unauthorized credit applications
Stolen wallet or SSN
IRS refund delays due to identity checks
Lost or exposed documents
Multiple address changes
Living in a high-fraud region

But even if you haven’t—an IP PIN is still smart protection.

Today, identity thieves don’t need to steal physical mail or hack banks—they simply need your SSN to steal your refund. An IP PIN turns your tax identity into a locked door.

With an IP PIN: