IRS Reminds Taxpayers to Protect Tax Information: Get an Identity Protection PIN Before Mid-November System Maintenance
The Internal Revenue Service reminded taxpayers on October 22 (IR-2026-127) to protect their information from tax-related identity theft by safeguarding their IRS online-account credentials and obtaining an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN).
An IP PIN is a six-digit number known only to the taxpayer and the IRS. It prevents someone else from filing a federal tax return using another taxpayer's Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Taxpayers may request an IP PIN as a proactive protective step even if they are not required to file a federal tax return.
The IRS noted that 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 system is generally available again beginning in mid-January.
Taxpayers can securely access their IRS Individual Online Account after verifying their identity to view recently filed returns, refund status, payments, tax records and notifications, and they should not share their sign-in information with anyone. The IRS will never call, email, text, or contact taxpayers through social media to request their 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.”
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 配图：美国财政部大楼（国税局隶属财政部）；Sealy j 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0，Wikimedia Commons
