IP PIN

[cp246]

My tax return was rejected b/c I forgot to enter my IP PIN. I went back into my return to correct the problem. I navigated to the "Personal" tab; selected "Other Tax Situations" and scrolled down to "Other Return Info." When I clicked on "Start" I got the following message: "Hmm, looks like we've hit a snag. We recommend you revisit the last topic you were working on to make sure all your info's correct."

I have tried clicking through all topics and sections again and have also restarted the software, but I continue to get the same message when I attempt to enter my IP PIN. The only difference now is the button has changed from "Start" to "Update" next to the "Identity protection PIN" section. 

[user17600572091]

I have the same issue!  Please let me know if you get an answer.

[mesquitebean · Accepted solution]

@ cp246  and @ user17600572091 

Several desktop users have reported that problem with the IP PIN section this afternoon/evening.

If you are using desktop software, you can also enter the 6-digit IP PIN in Forms Mode on the Federal Information Worksheet, Part VII.    Go to Forms Mode, and in the left column forms list choose "Info Wks".   That should be the Federal Information Worksheet.   Scroll down to Part VII, and the IP PIN should be the first item in that part of the worksheet.    Please report back if that worked for you.

Also, is your software up to date?

[cp246]

@mesquitebean @user17600572091 

Won't know for certain until the IRS accepts the return, but this appears to have worked. I had previously attempted to add it directly in forms mode, but was not on the right worksheet. 1040 wouldn't accept the change directly. Thanks for the help!!!

[mesquitebean]

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@ cp246 wrote:

Won't know for certain until the IRS accepts the return, but this appears to have worked. I had previously attempted to add it directly in forms mode, but was not on the right worksheet. 1040 wouldn't accept the change directly. Thanks for the help!!!

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I'm glad that method has worked for you (at least so far).   Good luck!

Yeah, you can't enter it directly on the Form 1040.  You have to do it on that Federal Information Worksheet, Part VII, then it flows from that worksheet to the Form 1040.

I've seen several users with this issue this afternoon/evening, so I've asked it be reported to Moderators so they can report it to developers.

[cp246]

 As expected, IRS accepted the return this time. Thanks again, @mesquitebean Was a huge help! And thanks for forwarding it up the chain of command so others may be spared. lol

[eznoh]

That did not work for me. The IP PIN that e-file submits is only 5 digits and the PIN is 6

[mesquitebean]

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@ eznoh wrote:

That did not work for me. The IP PIN that e-file submits is only 5 digits and the PIN is 6

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This is an old thread from the last year when the IP PIN section was temporarily malfunctioning at the time.  You should be able to enter it in the normal fashion once you go to the correct place.  I will give you the steps below.

The 6-digit  IP PIN is not entered in the FILE section.   It is entered in an entirely different section and is completely different from the 5-digit "signing PIN".    Here's where to enter the 6-digit IP PIN:

Federal Taxes tab  (except it's the Personal tab in Home and Business)

Subtab "Other Tax Situations"

On the Other Tax Situations screen scroll down to "Other Return Info"

Use subtopic that says "IP PIN".

NOTE:  The 5-digit PIN in the FILE section is a "signing PIN" and is not related to the IP PIN.   When efiling, the signing PIN can be any 5 digits of your choice (except cannot be all zeros), and the screen will say that.  It is on a screen with today's date and your birth date that appears near the end of the efiling process.  

[eznoh]

The rejection message says:  IND-181-01 - The Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) for the first taxpayer on your return is missing. 

[mesquitebean]

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@ eznoh  wrote:

The rejection message says:  IND-181-01 - The Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) for the first taxpayer on your return is missing. 

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Did you enter the 6-digit IP PIN in the correct place I mentioned above using the steps I provided earlier today?  Did you find that category OK;  i.e., in "Other Tax Situations>Other Return Info>IP PIN?"?  I can make a screen image if needed.

Did you enter it for the "first taxpayer" on the return?

 If so, are you sure it is the correct IP PIN?  You have to get a new IP PIN every calendar year. Did you get and use your new IP PIN for this year?    Some people get their new IP PIN each year in a letter from the IRS usually each January, while others (mainly those who opted in) do not get letters but can retrieve their new IP PIN each year in their online IRS account.   How did you receive your new IP PIN to use for calendar year 2026--in an IRS letter or in your online IRS account?

[eznoh]

I got it from the IRS website today.

[mesquitebean]

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@ eznoh wrote:

I got it from the IRS website today.

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Then that should indeed be new then. So are you all squared away now about how to get to the IP PIN questions and where to enter it so you can resubmit your efile?   BTW, are you using Online TurboTax or the desktop version?

This user forum works like a bulletin board, not a chat.  So there can be long intervals before someone responds.