Someone is/was confused.
Everyone who e-files needs a 5 digit e-filing PIN. If it is your first time e-filing you can pick any 5 digit number. If you have e-filed before, you need to use the same self-selected PIN as last year, or your adjusted gross income from last year. If you e-filed with turbotax and if you log in using the same account, your e-filing PIN or AGI should transfer automatically. If you need your AGI from last year, check a copy of last year's return or get a transcript from the IRS. If you filed very late last year, your AGI may not be in the system, try zero. Due to identity theft problems at the IRS itself, the "instantly get a new e-file PIN" was discontinued. You need your transcript from last year if you don't know your PIN. https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript
Separately there is a 6-digit Identity Protection PIN (IP-PIN). The IRS only issues IP-PINs to taxpayers who are proven victims of identity theft. The IP-PIN is mailed to your address on file each December, and changes every year. If you lose your IP-PIN the IRS will mail a new one to you but you can't get one over the phone or online.
If you are being rejected or prevented from e-filing because your e-filing PIN is wrong, you can check last year's tax return or get a transcript. Make sure you identify in turbotax that you are using the AGI and not a self-selected PIN. If you can't e-file, print your tax return and mail it to the IRS.
If you are being rejected for lack of an IP-PIN (6 digit), and the IRS operators say you don't have one, there is a problem at their end. You can print and file by mail, but processing your return may be delayed.
