How to Protect Yourself When Filing Your Taxes

As the 2025 tax season approaches, it is important to remember taxpayer ID theft is one of the biggest online scams, impacting tens of thousands of filers last year alone. Taxpayer ID theft is when someone fraudulently files taxes in another taxpayer’s name electronically early in the tax season to receive any refund.

To help combat taxpayer ID theft, the Internal Revenue Service encourages all taxpayers to sign up for an identity protection personal identification number (IP PIN), which provides an added layer of security to help protect against tax-related identity theft.

An IP PIN is a six-digit number that prevents someone else from filing a tax return using your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). The IP PIN is known only to you and the IRS*. The creation of the IP PIN helps the IRS verify your identity when you file your electronic or paper tax return.

How to Get an IP PIN

The fastest way to receive an IP PIN is to request one through your IRS Online Account. If you don’t have an account on IRS.gov, you must register to validate your identity. Visit IRS website >

• An IP PIN is valid for one calendar year.
• An IP PIN must be used when filing any federal tax returns during the year including prior year returns.
• The IP PIN is used only for Forms 1040, 1040-NR, 1040-PR, 1040-SR, and 1040-SS.

Don’t reveal your IP PIN to anyone. *If you have a tax professional prepare and file your taxes, they will need the IP PIN only when your taxes are complete, signed by you, and they ready to file taxes on your behalf. The IRS will never ask for your IP PIN. Phone calls, emails or texts asking for your IP PIN are scams.

By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from scammers. Although no form of protection is absolute, a combination of personal awareness and protective tools will make you as safe as possible.

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