topic IP PIN verification in After you file

IP PIN verification

gwjsdyi — Sat, 16 Mar 2024 02:45:07 GMT

I was hacked a couple years ago and I am required to get a IP PIN from the IRS. The IP PIN is 6 digits long, the turbo tax interview form only accepts 5 digit PIN. Yes I have discovered the back door required to input the 6 digit pin into the turbo tax software, but now the accuracy check throws up an error regarding the pin numbers.

On the Sign Your Return 2023 Return page there is no 6 digit displayed and I cannot enter a 6 digit pin. Yes I can put a 5 digit number for my spouse's made up pin, but the form complains if I leave the pin box empty for myself. Essentially I can only put in a 5 digit number which will rejected by the IRS. Yes that happened last year, so how do I get the 6 digit number into my return?

Some real help would be really nice.

Re: IP PIN verification

ee-ea — Sat, 16 Mar 2024 02:55:38 GMT

If you have a 6 digit IP 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 6 digit PIN.

Re: IP PIN verification

gwjsdyi — Sat, 16 Mar 2024 18:35:53 GMT

Thank-you for the suggestion. I have already done that.

I apologize for apparently not stating my problem more succinctly. What I was searching for was a clear unambiguous signal that the turbo tax software had indeed become aware that a 6 digit IP PIN had been entered into the system. The fact that the Sign your return page did not have the 6 digit IP PIN displayed and the software would not allow you to continue i.e., you had to enter a 5 digit bogus number, left me doubting that turbo tax software was aware of the 6 digit number. I was left wondering if it would actually use the required 6 digit IP PIN instead of the bogus 5 digit number I had to enter to continue the e-filing process.

A clue to where one might find a better form of verification that the turbo tax software might actually use the required 6 digit IP PIN during the filing process was presented by another person in the numerous responses posted in regards to this issue.

Basically you have to find the miscellaneous taxpayer information work sheet, which is typically at the end of all the forms related to the 1040 form itself. There you will find the 6 digit IP PIN, assuming you found the magic place in the interview process to enter it.

Both turbo tax and H&R Block allow only this amount of verification for the 6 digit IP PIN.

I blame lazy programming practices. Just how hard would it have been to add one if statement to the program to check for the existence of a 6 digit IP PIN and display it in the Sign you return page.

It would have saved me a half a day angst and searching.

Re: IP PIN verification

DesertDuffer — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 00:33:22 GMT

I think people get confused about the 5 digit "Signature Pin" (any 5 digit number) entered during the online filing process; and the 6 digit "IP PIN" (Identity Protection PIN) issued by the IRS to:

1. Individuals that may have had an identity problem (sent by the IRS via mail), or

2. Individuals who go online to: www.irs.gov/ippin and retrieve their pin every year, or request a new IP PIN

I have found the easiest way to enter the 6 digit IP PIN is to go to the "Forms" tab at the upper right of TurboTax

and scroll down the Federal Information Worksheet to the IP PIN entry fields. Enter your pin and resave your file.

Re: IP PIN verification

fanfare — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 02:20:10 GMT

TurboTax requires a five digit PIN. You can enter any number except all zeros.

That's all there is to it.

The IP PIN will appear if you print your tax return.

@gwjsdyi

Re: IP PIN verification

trlspike3 — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 04:27:17 GMT

When I go there i dont see an option for IP pin. Where is it located at

Re: IP PIN verification

CatinaT1 — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 14:37:20 GMT

Here are two ways to navigate to the section to enter the 6 digit IP PIN:

Log in and open your return ("Take me to my return")
Once the return is open, then go to the Federal Taxes tab.
Subtab Other Tax Situations
Scroll down to Other Return Info.
Choose Identity Protection PIN and Start (or Revisit.)
Next screen asks: "Did you or any of your dependents get an IP PIN from the IRS for this year's taxes?"

Or another way:

Open your return if not already open. ("Take me to my return.")
Once the return is open, click at the top on MY ACCOUNT, then choose TOOLS.
In the Tools window choose TOPIC SEARCH.
Enter IP PIN without quotes.
In the selection list highlight IP PIN and click GO.
Next screen asks: "Did you or any of your dependents get an IP PIN from the IRS for this year's taxes?"