Where in my downloaded software do I enter my Turbotax IP PIN? I did not use the online version. Using Search does not help.

[DoninGA]

@kmtempe What PIN box?  Are you referring to the PIN box in the File section of the tax return used for e-filing?  If so, that is a 5 digit PIN where you can select any 5 digits.

[jaysee88]

kmtempe  wrote:  "I've followed the instructions and entered my 6-digit IP PIN as instructed in "Federal taxes/Other Tax situations". However, when I try to e-file, the PIN box is empty and I can't enter my 6-digit PIN either. So I can't efile. Mac desktop version. HELP!!!"

It sounds like you are talking about the FIVE-digit PIN they ask you for just before you eFile ... if you read the instructions there, they tell you that YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE A PIN and enter it there.  I have NO idea where or what that 5-digit pin is used for, but you have to put something in the box ...  just pick five numbers and type them in... 

[geripsych]

This is from another TT help thread:

IRS Identity Pin is 1 Digit Longer than Turbo Tax E File Pin. An Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) and an e-filing PIN are two different things. An IP PIN is 6 digits and an e-filing PIN is 5 digits. You get the IP PIN from the IRS and you choose the e-filing PIN yourself. The 5 digit PIN is a number you selected at one time when you were in the File section of the program.  It will be used each tax year if you transfer the prior year tax return tax data to the current tax year.  It is not a security feature to prevent someone one else from using your personal information to file a tax return.

IRS IP Pin-this is a safety feature so no one can file taxes under your name. You must create an account with IRS if you don't already have one and request an IP Pin. NOTE: YOU MUST GET A NEW IP PIN EVERY YEAR. You cannot look back to last year's taxes and try to use the same one (unlike the TT Efile Pin).

Entering your IRS IP Pin for E-Filing

You can't enter your IRS IP Pin in the E-File process at the end near your E signature or anywhere else within the E-Filing itself. You have to enter it in your personal information.

For example in Turbo Tax Online it's in the Other Tax Situations section of the Federal section. And in the Premier edition it's in the Other Tax Situations section of the Personal Info section. It is also in the Personal section of Home&Business. 

[kmtempe]

Thanks. Got my taxes filed. But that was sure confusing! I took a screenshot of the above advice to save for next year. Just in case I don't remember the steps

[datart]

thanks guys for giving the answer to how to put in an ip pin.  turbotax did not make it easy and would take me there to put the number in.  over an hour wasted just to figure this out.  i was not asked while doing the input for filing. this is a MAJOR flaw.  i used hr block to do my son's taxes and was asked to input this.  did not know i had to do this for a dependent and turbo tax did not make this a simple fix as it should be.  will rethink using turbo tax next year.  fix it turbo tax 

[DJ327]

OK, Folks.  Here's what I just learned about the importance of including a federal "Identity Protection Pin."

1. I worked on my taxes, using TurboTax, for several days.  Finally, I decided to file both my Federal & my State taxes electronically.

2. This would have been the first year I filed my State taxes electronically. What made me change my mind: an apparent $5 discount (20% off, was the ad pitch).  But, when I came near the end of the process, I found a little sentence that said: "$40 refund fee."   So apparently I'd be charged not $20 for filing my State taxes, but $60. DECEPTIVE ADVERTISING!   Needless to say, I decided to NOT file my State taxes electronically, but rather via the mail.

3. So now back to my Federal 1040.  That, I DID file electronically--since TT did not, per usual, charge any fee.

4. But a half-hour later, I got a notice saying that my Federal 1040 had been REJECTED.  At first, I didn't know why.

5. But after another half-hour or so, I got an email from TT, explaining why my 1040 had been rejected:  I'd forgotten to include my "Identity Protection Pin."   My WHAT, I asked myself?   It took a little more rummaging thru my files, to discover that, yes, last year, in April, I HAD applied to the Federal government (Internal Revenue Service) for such a PIN.   I'd simply forgotten.  But then, after a little more detective work, I learned that, even tho I'd be filing a 1040 for Tax Year 2024, I'd nonetheless need a new 2025 PIN.  That, because the PIN is for any form you electronically file to the IRS during the current year.   So...I discovered how to get a 2025 PIN.  Go to      www.IRS.gov/get-an-ippin

There, the tabs will lead you to a brand new PIN, reserved for you.  Now, that's assuming that you filed for a 2024 pin last year; and that you created, at that time, an IRS password;  if 2025 is the first time you're filing, then you'll have to go thru the process of being a first-time requester.  I can't quite recall the process, but the website should walk you thru it.  At the end, you'll be asked to create a password.  Be sure to write it down, and store it somewhere (with your taxes?  in a special Password book?) where you can retrieve it next year. 

6. Now once you get this Identity Protection PIN, you have to enter it on your TT 1040 form.  Ultimately, it will end up on your Federal 1040, just to the right of where your signature would normally go.  But surprise:  TT does NOT let you simply type it in.  Instead, you have to go to the top of the Form, and click on "Easy Step"--the process that walks you thru each step in the following process.   Now the instructions I'd found earlier had said to first go to the "Federal" tab.  THIS IS WRONG.  There IS NO "Federal" tab--at least, not in my "Home & Business" version of TT.  Thankfully, a smart TT tech named Tristan (whom I called at the Intuit Customer-Service # of 800-446-8848 knew the solution.  

Namely:

a) As mentioned, click on "easy Step" at the top left of the page.  

b) Navigate your way to the page whose heading says, "Let's Get Your Biggest Personal Refund."   Underneath, you'll find 6 tabs, spread out horizontally: "Personal Info";  "Business";  "Personal";  "State Taxes";  "Review";  "File."   Click on the 3rd tab, "Personal."    

c) A drop-down menu appears, with 5 tabs spread out horizontally: "Personal Income";  "Deductions & Credits";  "Other Tax Situations";  "Federal Review";  "Smart Check."    Click on the 3rd tab, "Other Tax Situations."    

d) A new drop-down menu appears.  This time, the entries are listed vertically:  "Alternative Minimum Tax";  "Business Taxes";  "Additional Tax Payments";  "Other Return Info";  "Other Tax Forms";  "Retirement Savings."   You want the 4th entry, "Other Return Info."  Right beneath it is the heading, "Identity Protection Pin."  AT LAST!  Click on it, and you can then type in your 6-digit ID Protection PIN.   And lo & behold, that PIN automatically gets transferred to your actual 1040 Form, appearing nicely just where it's supposed to, to the right of your empty "Signature" line.  Since you're filing electronically, that Signature line, + the date, are blank.  Ditto for your spouse's Signature line.  

And by the way, if you & your spouse are filing jointly, you do NOT need to apply for a separate Identity Protection PIN for them.  Just the one PIN of the main tax-filer is all you'll need.    

'Hope you find this helpful.   In the future, if any of the TT team is reading this, it would be SO helpful if you could make this process of "adding an Identity Protection PIN"  somehow simpler.  Thanks!   Dennis

[DJ327]

Just re-reading the info I'd just posted, I realized I should have been more clear about where / when you get your Federal Identity Protection PIN.   The answer:  each year (say, January, before you start your taxes for the previous year), apply to the IRS for your new ID Protection PIN.   So for example, if in 2025 you're starting your tax-calculations for last year (the "2024 Tax Year"), then you'll need to apply to the IRS for a 2025 PIN.

Because that 6-digit PIN is for any Federal Form you transmit electronically  during the CURRENT YEAR.   So again, even tho the papers you want to file electronically are for Tax Yr 2024, the fact that you're actually sending your 1040 to the IRS in 2025 means that you'll need a 2025 PIN.     And again, as I mentioned earlier, you get that PIN by going to www.IRS.gov/get-an-ippin"

   Good luck!

[VolvoGirl]

@DJ327    2 things.   You are in the Home & Business Desktop program.   I have it too.   As you figured out the H&B version doesn't have the Federal tab.  It is broken out into Business & Personal.   So whenever you see go to Federal listed you use Personal.

Then for the State efile fee.   In the Desktop program it is $25 to efile a state return or you can print and mail state for free.  The $40  Refund Processing fee is only if you want the $25 deducted from your federal refund which you can avoid by paying the $25 with a credit card.   People get going too fast to efile and don’t read the screens slowly and click on the wrong button.   Here is a screenshot from a prior year.  

[kmtempe]

That's what I did(typed a random # in) and my return was e-filed and accepted. This is the first year I had applied for an IP PIN # and I was very confused about how to use it. And minimal info within the TurboTax program! Thanks all for the advice

[doblevins]

Agreed, the IP PIN entry should be automatically asked, not hidden in line of additional optional questions.

[DaveMout]

Thank you for a clear explanation.

[DaveMout]

I do not know what form to ut the IP pin on.  and the jump business does not appear.  

[VolvoGirl]

@DaveMout   What Jump business?  Are you using the Online version or the Desktop program?  

To enter your IRS 6 digit ID Pin number in TurboTax, please follow these steps:

In TurboTax Online, open your tax return
Click on Federal in the left-hand column, then on Wages & Income
Follow the questionnaire until you arrive at the question: Did you experience identity theft and receive an Identity Protection Pin (IP PIN) from the IRS?
Reply Yes
On the next page, scroll down to Other Return Info and click Show More
Click Start on Identity Protection PIN

In the Home & Business Desktop version click on Personal then Other Tax Situations,
Then on Other Return Info - Identity protection pin Start

[VolvoGirl]

OK I finally found the Jump to IP pin in the Desktop program.  There are 2 ways to search depending whether you are signed in or not.  The IP pin search doesn't work if you are signed in.  So first go to File and scroll down to Signed In as....... and click on it and sign out.  

Then go up to Search,  it will give you a box to sign in.  Don't sign in, click the X to get rid of the box.  Then you get the Search window where you can enter IP pin at the top.

[Nealzilla]

THERE IS NO LINK TO FEDERAL!!!!!!