The purpose of the Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) is to provide additional personal identification to the IRS and to preclude others from fraudulently using your tax return information. It is a six digit code.
To enter or remove or edit an IP PIN that you accidentally entered follow these instructions:
- Open or continue your return.
- Navigate to the IP PIN section:
- TurboTax Online/Mobile: Go to IP PIN.
- TurboTax Desktop: Search for IP pin (don't forget the space) and select the Jump to link.
- On the Identity Protection PIN screen, answer Yes. Select Add and enter your IP PIN in the space provided.
- If you need to remove the IP PIN, select the trash icon.
- Select Continue, then select Done.
An IP PIN and a Self-Select PIN are two different things.
- An IP PIN is a 6-digit number that the IRS gives taxpayers who were victims of tax-related identity theft.
- A Self-Select PIN is a random 5-digit number that you enter as your electronic signature when e-filing your return.
You can elect to use the IP PIN one time or to use an IP PIN every year. In the event that you want to protect your information every year by using the IP PIN, the IRS will issue a new PIN to you every year for use with future tax returns.
Where is the IP PIN entered in Turbo Tax Home and Business?
In the Home & Business version:
Go to “Personal”
Select “Other Tax Situations”
Scroll down to “Other Return Info”
Select “Identity protection PIN”