An ERO PIN (Practitioner PIN) is used when a preparer is including Form 8879 IRS e-file Signature Authorization in the submission of a client's return. The number is created by the preparer following the IRS criteria listed in the IRS 1040 Modernized e-File (MeF) Information for Practitioners webpage.
The Practitioner PIN method is an additional signature method for taxpayers who use an Electronic Return Originator (ERO) to sign a return by entering a five-digit PIN. The PIN can be any five digits except all zeros.
Generally, a PIN is needed for each taxpayer when completing a married filing jointly tax return. The Practitioner PIN method allows you to authorize the Electronic Return Originator to enter or generate your PIN. It is not necessary for taxpayers to provide their date of birth, prior year adjusted gross income, or prior year PIN for authentication when using the Practitioner PIN method.
Note that any link in the information above is updated each year automatically and will take you to the most recent version of the document at the time it is accessed.