Get an IRS Identity Protection PIN Before the Mid-November Pause
An IRS IP PIN blocks anyone else from filing a return with your Social Security number. Who can get one, how, and why to request it before mid-November.
Tax identity theft works because a thief files first, using your Social Security number, and collects a refund before you notice. A six-digit IRS Identity Protection PIN stops that. The online tool goes offline for maintenance in mid-November, so this is the week to do it.
On October 22, 2026, the IRS reminded taxpayers that its online IP PIN system “becomes unavailable for annual maintenance in mid-November” and is “generally available again beginning in mid-January.” If you want a PIN in hand for an early 2027 filing, request it before the pause. If you miss the window, there are slower options, covered below.
What an IP PIN does
The IRS IP PIN FAQ describes it as “a 6-digit number” that the IRS issues to you. Once you have one, a federal return filed with your Social Security number must include the current PIN. A thief who has your number, date of birth and address still lacks the PIN.
The IRS says “a new IP PIN is generated each year,” and you use the current one on every return you file that calendar year. It is free, and the IRS notes you can get one even if you are not required to file a return.
Who can get one
The IRS page Get an Identity Protection PIN says: “Anyone who has an SSN or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN)” and can verify their identity. You do not need to have been a victim of identity theft.
Three ways to get it
| Route | Who it suits | How long | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRS online account | Adults who can verify identity online | Immediate | The IRS calls this “the fastest way.” You can view the PIN online from mid-January through mid-November. Under 18s must use another option |
| Form 15227 | Income below $84,000 (individuals) or $168,000 (married filing jointly), with a valid SSN or ITIN and phone access | About 4–6 weeks, by mail | Also the route for dependents under 18 or without a Login.gov or ID.me account |
| In person | Anyone who cannot verify online or by form | About 3 weeks, by mail | Make an appointment at a local Taxpayer Assistance Center |
The IRS also launched a new mobile app in September 2026. Its announcement lists access to an IP PIN among the app’s features. As with any app, install it from your phone’s official app store, not from a link in a message.
Step by step, online
- Type irs.gov into your browser. Do not search for “IRS IP PIN” and click an ad.
- Sign in to your IRS Individual Online Account, or create one. Have your photo identification ready. The IRS FAQ names Login.gov and ID.me as the sign-in services.
- Find the IP PIN option under your profile.
- Write the PIN somewhere safe, or plan to retrieve it from your account when you file.
- Give the PIN only to the person who prepares your return, and only when you are ready to file.
Questions people ask
What if I lose my PIN? The IRS FAQ says you can retrieve it in your online account or the IRS app, or call 800-908-4490 (Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time); a PIN requested by phone is mailed within 21 days. That number is on the IRS page; look it up there rather than trusting it from any other source, including this one.
Do I get a new one every year automatically? A new PIN is generated each year. The FAQ says CP01A notices with the new PIN are mailed from mid-December through early January to some participants; people who opted in online don’t receive a CP01A and retrieve the new PIN from their account.
Can my children get one? Yes. Dependents 18 or older can request their own online; those under 18, or without a Login.gov or ID.me account, use Form 15227. The FAQ says a dependent’s PIN is entered on e-filed returns, and that you don’t need it for a paper return.
Can I stop using it? Only if you joined voluntarily and were never a victim of tax identity theft. The IRS allows up to 72 hours for an opt-out to take effect.
Does it replace a credit freeze? No. An IP PIN protects your federal tax return; a credit freeze protects against new credit in your name. Our three-bureau freeze checklist covers the other one. Many people use both.
The scam to expect once you have a PIN
The IRS states it plainly in its July 2026 tax tip: “The IRS will never call, email, text, or message a taxpayer through social media channels to request their IP PIN.” Expect messages that claim your PIN has “expired,” needs “verification,” or blocks a refund. Each one is fake. If a refund message arrives, check it through your own IRS account as described in our guide to checking a tax refund without the message’s link.
If you miss the mid-November window
Missing the online window is not a disaster, but it changes the order of things. Here are the realistic paths, based on what the IRS pages describe:
- You can wait until mid-January. The IRS says the online system is generally available again then. If you usually file in February or later, this may be the simplest route.
- You qualify for Form 15227. The PIN comes by mail in about 4 to 6 weeks, so a request in November could arrive before most people file.
- You need help verifying identity. An in-person appointment at a Taxpayer Assistance Center produces a PIN by mail in about 3 weeks.
Whichever route you take, the safety rules stay the same: request it only through irs.gov or an IRS office, never through a link someone sent you, and never pay anyone to “get” a PIN for you. The IRS describes the PIN as free.
If your Social Security number has already appeared in a breach letter, an IP PIN pairs well with the steps in our 30-minute lock-down plan.
A family checklist for this month
- Each adult in the household requests a PIN online before mid-November.
- Dependents who need one get the Form 15227 route started.
- An older relative who cannot verify online books a Taxpayer Assistance Center appointment for January.
- Everyone agrees: no one ever reads a PIN to a caller.