The IRS will expand its Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) opt-in program starting January to all taxpayers who can properly verify their identities, the agency announced during its 2020 Security Summit.
The IP PIN is a six-digit number assigned to eligible taxpayers to help prevent the misuse of their Social Security number on fraudulent federal income tax returns. An IP PIN helps the IRS verify a taxpayer's identity and accept their electronic or paper tax return.
Before applying for an IP PIN, the IRS encourages taxpayers to review the requirements.