@lingardbarbara01 wrote:
I have my 5 digit signature pin number and can I use this instead of a IP pin. The irs never
You didn't finish your details, and cut off your last sentence, so I don't know what you were going to say about the IRS.
No. If you are required to use an IP PIN, the 5-digit Signature PIN (or prior-year Self-Select PIN) cannot be used the same way as an IP PIN. An IP PIN is a 6-digit Identity Protection PIN that is provided by the IRS to certain victims of identity theft. The 6-digit IP PIN is not entered in the FILE section; it is entered in a completely different section of the return interview.
Did you have an IP PIN last year? If so, you need a new one every year. You should have been mailed a letter from the IRS in late December or early January 2020 with your new IP PIN to use this year. If you didn't receive the letter, you may be able to use the IP PIN Retrieval Tool at the IRS website.
https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/retrieve-your-ip-pin
If you can't use the tool, or if you need more info from that department at the IRS, on that page is a special phone number to speak to someone at the IRS about IP PINs. In some circumstances, if they can identify you adequately on the phone, they can mail out a letter with your IP PIN. Read all the info on that page at the link in the paragraph above.
