IRS Identity Protection PIN

[JDW]

Client wants to obtain an IRS Identity Protection PIN for this filing season because their data was compromised in one of the credit agency breaches. Wondering how long it will take for the IRS to process a 14039 for a PIN, whether it can be used to file 2017 return, and if better to just file as early as possible. Any insight would be appreciated.

[Kram BergGold]

My Understanding

I talked with a friend who tried to get a PIN when his credit card info was stolen. The IRS would not give him one. To get a pin without having a fraudulent tax return previously filed, you need at least a police report. Even then you may not get a PIN.

[TAXNJ]

If you go to IRS web-site.......

From IRS:

Q2: Who’s eligible for an IRS IP PIN?

A2: You're eligible for an IP PIN if:

We sent you a CP01A Notice containing your IP PIN, or
You filed your federal tax return last year as a resident of Florida, Georgia or the District of Columbia, or
You received an IRS letter inviting you to 'opt-in' to get an IP PIN.

[TAXNJ]

Info on IRS web-site.....

So, EVERYONE in FL and GA and DC is now eligible for an IP PIN ??

Doesn't make a heck of a lot of sense. . . .

FE

"The IRS is again offering the Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) to all taxpayers who filed their federal tax returns last year as residents of Florida, Georgia or the District of Columbia. These residents don’t need to be identity theft victims to participate. This ongoing pilot program helps us evaluate taxpayer demand for the IP PIN and assess our ability to issue the PIN to a larger number of taxpayers. The three locations covered by the pilot have the highest per-capita percentage of tax-related identity theft......."

Answers can be found on IRS web-site

[David1980]

So, EVERYONE in FL and GA and DC is now eligible for an IP PIN ??

Doesn't make a heck of a lot of sense. . . .

FE

Based on how much ID theft is going on in the area I expect. I suspect a lot of it is also people using "big-refund" tax specialists and then denying it was them when the IRS letters come.