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IRS Identity Protection PIN - Identity Theft (IP PIN)
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If you were a victim of identity theft, you may receive IRS Notice CP01A containing a single-use 6-digit Identity Protection (IP) PIN. For information on IP PINs, follow this link to the IRS FAQs about the Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN). If you have misplaced the IRS letter containing your IP PIN, you can retrieve it from the IRS website.

To enter the IP PIN in the TaxAct program, follow the steps below. 

Note that If you are filing a prior year return, you will enter the IP PIN that you received this calendar year for both current and prior year filings.

Online
Dashboards
  1. From within your TaxAct return, click Taxes & Miscellaneous.
    • On smaller devices, click the menu at the top left corner of your screen, then make your selection. 
  2. Expand the Other Return Info section. 
  3. Click Add beside Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN). 
  4. Select Yes on the question Did you or your spouse receive an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) from the IRS? 
  5. Enter your own IP PIN, and your spouse’s IP PIN (if applicable).
  6. Click Continue and complete the interview.
    • If you have dependents, you will be asked if they also have IP PINs and be prompted to enter them. See IP PIN Received for Dependent for details.
Classic Navigation
  1. From within your TaxAct return, click Federal.
    • On smaller devices, click the menu at the top left corner of your screen, then make your selection. 
  2. Click the Miscellaneous Topics drop-down, then click Identity Protection PIN.
  3. Select Yes on the question Did you or your spouse receive an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) from the IRS? 
  4. Enter your own IP PIN, and your spouse’s IP PIN (if applicable).
  5. Click Continue and complete the interview.
    • If you have dependents, you will be asked if they also have IP PINs and be prompted to enter them. See IP PIN Received for Dependent for details.
 
Desktop
  1. From within your TaxAct return, click Federal.
  2. Click the Miscellaneous Topics drop-down, then click Identity Protection PIN.
  3. Answer Yes to the question Did you receive an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) from the IRS?
  4. Enter your own IP PIN, and your spouse’s IP PIN (if applicable).
  5. Click Continue and complete the interview.
    • If you have dependents, you will be asked if they also have IP PINs and be prompted to enter them. See IP PIN Received for Dependent for details.
Each spouse on a married filing joint return will have his or her own IP PIN. If only one spouse received an IP PIN, that PIN would need to be entered for that spouse. If your dependent has an IP PIN, you must enter it as well.
The IP PIN will appear on the printed copy of your return. The PIN is automatically transmitted to the IRS with an e-filed return.

If you believe you may be at risk for tax-related ID theft, fill out Form 14039. Go to our FAQ Form 14039 - Identity Theft Affidavit for details.