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E-file reject IND-180-01: Primary taxpayer's Identity Protection Personal Identification Number must match the e-file database

by TurboTax•612• Updated 3 weeks ago

This rejection can happen when your Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) doesn’t match the one in the IRS’s records.

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.

To fix this, start by finding your 6-digit IP PIN:

  • This will be on the CP01A letter you got in December or January for your 2024 taxes. IP PINs for prior tax years won't work.
  • If you lost your letter or never got one, get your IP PIN online on the IRS Retrieve your Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) page.
  • If you're unable to get your IP PIN online, you can have it reissued (allow up to 21 days).

Once you have your IP PIN, select your platform for instructions on how to fix and refile your return.

  1. Find the Notice CP01A you got from the IRS for this tax year.
  2. Go to the Did you get an Identity Protection PIN from the IRS for this year's taxes? screen and select Yes.
  3. On the Here's your Identity Protection PIN info screen, next to your name, review the number under Identity Protection PIN. Compare it to the number you got from the IRS on Notice CP01A.
    • If this number is correct, see the following section, What if my Identity Protection PIN matches my Notice CP01A?
    • If the PIN is not correct, select the edit icon.
  4. On the Tell us your Identity Protection PIN screen, update the six-digit number and then select Continue.
  5. Select File in the left menu.
  6. At the Welcome back screen, select Continue (Don't select Fix my return, as you've already done that).
  7. Follow the instructions to proceed with the filing process.

What if my Identity Protection PIN matches my Notice CP01A?

It could be that the info in the IRS database is incorrect. You won't be able to e-file even though your information was entered correctly. Instead, we'll help you file your return by mail.

  1. Select File in the left menu.
  2. At the Welcome back screen, select Continue.
  3. Next to Step 3 Get ready to save and file your returns, select Start.
  4. Select File by mail and follow the instructions to print and mail your return.
  1. Open (continue) your return in TurboTax.
  2. Select Fix my return.
  3. Follow the onscreen instructions to reenter your 2024 IP PIN and refile your return.

To fix this rejection, you'll need to leave the TurboTax app and sign in to a browser:

  1. Sign out of the app by tapping More, then selecting Sign Out.
  2. Open your browser (either on your device or a computer) and sign in at MyTurboTax.com (use your app login).
  3. Fix and refile your return in TurboTax Online using the previous instructions.

Read this help article for instructions.