My Fiscal Office is Requiring ALL clients to have a IRS Identity Protection (IP) PIN.
In the past, we strongly recommended that clients obtain an IRS Identity Protection (IP) PIN. This year, as part of our mandated Written Information Security Plan (WISP), we are now requiring all clients to have an IRS IP PIN.
Why This Change?
Cybercrime and data breaches have unfortunately become more frequent, putting personal information at risk. In 2022, the IRS received over 294,000 complaints about identity theft—the second-highest number in history. This added measure will help safeguard your information and reduce the risk of fraudulent tax filings.
What is an IRS IP PIN?
An IRS IP PIN is a unique six-digit code that provides an extra layer of security for your tax filings. It ensures that only you can submit a tax return using your Social Security number, reducing the risk of fraud and avoiding delays in processing legitimate returns. You should only share your IP PIN with the IRS and your tax preparer. Remember, the IRS will never call, email, or text to request your IP PIN.
Your Next Steps
- If you already have an IRS IP PIN: You’re all set! Retrieve your updated IP PIN on your IRS online account each January.
- If you’re new to the IRS IP PIN program: You’ll need to create an online account at IRS.gov if you don’t already have one. Once logged in, you can request your IP PIN by visiting the "Profile" section of your account. The system for obtaining your IP PIN will be available in early January.
In Conclusion>
Protecting your personal information has never been more critical, and the IRS Identity Protection (IP) PIN is a simple yet powerful tool to help safeguard your tax filings. This extra step may seem small, but it goes a long way in reducing the risk of identity theft and ensuring the secure processing of your tax returns.
