The Practitioner PIN method allows taxpayers to authorize the Electronic Return Originator (ERO) to enter or generate the taxpayer's PIN. It is not necessary for the taxpayer to provide their date of birth, Prior Year AGI, or Prior Year PIN for authentication when using the Practitioner PIN method.

To set the program to automatically select the Practitioner PIN method in the e-filing steps:

1. Click Preparer in the top menu, click Master Information, then click Preparers.
2. Click the pencil icon next to the preparer's name
3. Click the Electronic Filing Info tab.
4. Select Practitioner PIN (Form 8879) from the PIN Type drop-down.
5. Enter your PIN in the Practitioner PIN for Electronic Signature field, then click OK in the bottom right to apply your changes.

This number is any five digits you want except five zeros. When you put the number in the Preparer Master Information, it can be applied to any return, so that you don't have to make up a new one or retype it for each return.

While the Practitioner PIN replaces the client's Prior Year PIN or the Prior Year AGI, it does not replace the Self-Select PIN for the current tax year. When using the Practitioner PIN method, the Self-Select PIN may be chosen by the Taxpayer, the Practitioner, or randomly generated.

For more information on the Practitioner PIN method, see the IRS Self-Select PIN Method for Forms 1040 and 4868 Modernized e-File (MeF) website.

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.