IRS Issues IR-2026-127: Taxpayers Urged to Protect Online Account Credentials and Get an IP PIN Against Tax Identity Theft
The Internal Revenue Service on Oct. 22 issued news release IR-2026-127, reminding taxpayers to protect their information from tax-related identity theft by safeguarding their IRS online-account credentials and obtaining an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN).
"Protecting sensitive financial information is essential to preventing unauthorized users from accessing confidential tax information and IRS online services," said IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Bisignano. "By safeguarding their online account credentials and obtaining an IP PIN, taxpayers can help stop tax-related identity theft, file their tax return with greater confidence, and know they have done what they can to protect themselves from bad actors."
An IP PIN is a six-digit number that prevents someone else from filing a federal tax return using another taxpayer's Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). The IP PIN is known only to the taxpayer and the IRS. Taxpayers who do not already have one may request an IP PIN as a proactive step, and taxpayers can obtain one even if they are not required to file a federal tax return.
Taxpayers who plan to file early in 2027 should request an IP PIN before the online system becomes unavailable for annual maintenance in mid-November, the IRS said; the system is generally available again beginning in mid-January. Taxpayers should protect their IP PIN and disclose it only to a trusted tax professional when ready to prepare and submit their federal return, and the IRS will never call, email, text, or contact taxpayers through social media to request their IP PIN.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：美国国税局（IRS）总部大楼。照片：公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / The Internal Revenue Service headquarters building. Photo: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
