topic Re: PIN problems in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

PIN problems

davidslewis — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:16:04 GMT

I have just now gone on my online account and received another six-digit PIN from the IRS.

However, the e-filing form requires a five-digit PIN. I have checked tax forms going back five years and none has a five-digit PIN. I've also checked all my IRS paperwork, going back years, and can find no CP01A Notice supplying my required IP PIN.

TurboTax Premier says that when I enter my five-digit PIN I "can make up any number."

I have made up numbers twice now and the IRS has rejected both filings.

The "Let's Take a Look at Your Return" page on TurboTax suggests I consult irs.gov/get-an-ippin to get a new PIN. But the PIN offered there is a six digit PIN, not a five-digit PIN.

Please help.

Thanks,

David Lewis

[email address removed]

Re: PIN problems

SForrestLO — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 02:58:04 GMT

You can view this Turbo Tax FAQ on 5-digit verification PIN.
What is my signature ID?

Re: PIN problems

davidslewis — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 05:03:20 GMT

I read your "What is my signature ID?" message. Thank you.

However, it did not work. I found what I took to be last year's five-digit PIN, and that for my wife. I am absolutely positive this is the PIN I used last year, but it, too, was rejected by the IRS.

"What is my signature ID?" says that, "If you forgot last year's signature ID, you'll need to provide your 2020 AGI for verification purposes."

I did provide by 2020 AGI, but that didn't work either.

What can I do?

David Lewis

Re: PIN problems

fanfare — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 05:15:01 GMT

@davidslewis

If you want to e-File with just a five-digit PIN, that is a PIN you selected last year at e-File time and which you wrote down and put in a safe place.

If you don't have it, leave that box empty.

If IRS sent you a six-digit IP PIN, you must enter it or e-File is REJECTED.

If you get the message AGI or PIN doesn't match, try AGI = zero.

If this does not work, you have to file a paper tax return via US Mail.

Re: PIN problems

fanfare — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 05:23:45 GMT

" that is a PIN you selected last year "

That means there are two opportunities to enter a five-digit PIN,

First, your self-select PIN from last year, instead of your AGI,

THEN, your new self-select PIN to be used next year.

Re: PIN problems

davidslewis — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 14:33:54 GMT

I have the five-digit PIN I used last year, which the IRS already rejected.

I have a six-digit PIN, which I acquired yesterday, but fail to see how to use it in the five-digit form the IRS supplies. So how do I enter it?

You suggest using AGI=zero. So I should try using no PIN but an AGI, and if that doesn't work, try using no PIN and zero AGI?

Please help. I'm completely baffled. Why the IRS won't accept the perfectly legitimate P{IN I used last year is also bewildering.

Thanks,

David Lewis

Re: PIN problems

fanfare — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 15:25:19 GMT

Are you registered with IRS for an IP PIN? if so, you can't e-File without it.

Enter the IP PIN under the "other tax situations".

To use the 5-digit PIN alone, have AGI be empty.

To use the AGI alone have self-select PIN be empty.

Re: PIN problems

davidslewis — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 15:26:48 GMT

Interesting. Thanks. I'll try it nd let you know.

Re: PIN problems

davidslewis — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 18:04:16 GMT

A miracle! TurboTax has informed me that my federal tax return has been accepted.

Now I await word from the IRS.

Entering the IP PIN I acquired yesterday into the "other tax situations" page seems to have done the trick.

I must say that, after having had four e-returns rejected by the IRS, I have noted many misleading instructions by both the IRS and TurboTax that could be corrected for the benefit of future filers.

To repeat, TurboTax Premier says that when I enter my five-digit PIN I "can make up any number."

This is not true.

The "Let's Take a Look at Your Return" page on TurboTax suggests I consult irs.gov/get-an-ippin to get a new PIN. But the PIN offered there is a six digit PIN, not a five-digit PIN. Until someone told me to enter this second PIN on the "other tax situations" page it meant nothing to me.

I feel fortunate one of you advisors suggested this use of this IP PIN.

I don't recall any advice last year to cling to last year's five-digit PIN for dear life. I was just lucky to find it again.

The IRS is worse. To name one misleading bit of advice, on an irs.gov page entitled "Validating Your Electronically Filed Tax Return," it says, "If your 2020 tax return has not yet been processed, enter $0 (zero dollars) for your prior year adjusted gross income (AGI)."

I did enter my AGI on my return, but evidently it was accepted anyway.

There must be steps TurboTax can take to make this painful, uncertain process easier.

Please.

Meanwhile, pending official notice that my e-return has been accepted, I am grateful for your intervention.

David Lewis

Re: PIN problems

MoniqueLO_ — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 18:16:44 GMT

Thank you so much for the update! We are glad your federal tax return was accepted.

Refunds usually take about 21 days after the IRS has accepted your e-filed return. Although, sometimes it can take longer. The IRS is taking more than 21 days (and up to 90 to 120 days) to issue refunds for tax returns with the Recovery Rebate Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit. Please see What if my IRS refund is taking longer than 21 days? for more information.

Since the IRS has accepted your e-filed return, you can check the status of your refund by going directly to https://www.irs.gov/refunds.

@davidslewis

Re: PIN problems

Connolly — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 00:53:55 GMT

David, I had the identical problem. The directions provided to go to the 'personal' tab, 'other tax situation' and enter the 6 digit pin there was so helpful. It still required me to fill in a a 5 digit signature number. Hope this takes care of it . Many thanks.

Re: PIN problems

Mdesio — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 22:51:10 GMT

The federal government gives us each a 6 digit personal Identification code. Why can’t we use this when filing?

Re: PIN problems

mesquitebean — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 23:20:13 GMT

@ Mdesio wrote:
The federal government gives us each a 6 digit personal Identification code. Why can’t we use this when filing?

This answer is mostly for Online TurboTax, since you didn't specify what you are using.

The 6-digit IP PIN is not entered in the FILE section at the time of efiling. It is in another topic in the interview prior to that.

Here are 3 ways to get to the right place to enter the IP PIN in Online TurboTax. You only need to use one method. You can choose which method works for you the best.

Once you've logged in and opened the interview back up, click in the top right on the Search icon.
When the search box appears, enter the term IP PIN without quotes. When entering, ignore the dropdown menu, and instead click the small adjacent magnifying glass on that same line.
Then click on Jump to IP PIN.

Or here's a second way:

With your return open, click in the left menu column on TAX TOOLS, then choose TOOLS.
In the Tools window choose TOPIC SEARCH.
Enter the term IP PIN without quotes.
In the selection list highlight IP PIN and click GO.

Or here's a third navigation method:

With your return open, in the left menu column, click Federal.
Then at the top of the screen choose Other Tax Situations.
If this is your first time in that section, answer the preliminary questions, and it may ask you if you have an IP PIN. If so, indicate "yes", and keep following the screens as it guides you to enter it.
If it doesn't, such as if you've previously been in that section, click on "See all uncommon tax situations" to see all the topics in that section.
In the "Uncommon tax situations" list, scroll down to Other Return Info, and expand to see the subtopics, one of which is Identity Protection PIN.

Re: PIN problems

fanfare — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 15:44:56 GMT

@Mdesio

Good question.

The IP PIN should be enough.

BUT, you can file on paper without the IP PIN, your tax return processing will be delayed.

The AGI/Self-select PIN mechanism is built into e-File, so that's that.

Do not confuse the self-select PIN you chose last year with the new self-select PIN you choose this year.

If you have self-select PIN you don't need an AGI,

but you do need an IP PIN if IRS sent it to you.

Got it ?

Re: PIN problems

coolmellowdude — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:22:00 GMT

I cannot find "other tax situations"

Re: PIN problems

xmasbaby0 — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:28:21 GMT

If you have a 6 digit PIN issued to you by the IRS you need to enter it in order to e-file. Go to Federal>Other Tax Situations>Other Return Info>Identity Protection PIN and enter the six-digit PIN.

Re: PIN problems

davidslewis — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:36:04 GMT

Go to the "Federal Taxes" heading.

Go to the "Other Tax Situations" heading.

Scroll down to "Other Return Info."

You'll see "Identity Protection PIN."

That's it.

If you can find a better way to hide this, alert TurboTax and the IRS. They gotta make a living, you know!

Re: PIN problems

coolmellowdude — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:40:21 GMT

I'm using turbo tax with Chrome, and I don't see the link. Where do I start from on the page?

Re: PIN problems

davidslewis — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:49:26 GMT

Open your Individual Tax Return.

The "Federal Taxes" heading should be apparent at the top of the page. Then you go to "Other Tax Situations," third from the left among the headings, then "Other Return Info," then "Identity Protection PIN."

That's it!

Of course you have to have an Identity Protection PIN. I found mine by logging onto the IRS and scrolling down my Profile page.

Re: PIN problems

coolmellowdude — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:59:51 GMT

I was using the pin from 2024. Went to IRS site and looked up my new pin. Entered new pin, and resubmitted forms, and now waiting.