Taxpayers in 19 States and D.C. eligible for Identity Protection PIN from IRS

The Internal Revenue Service has announced it is expanding its voluntary Identity Protection PIN program to taxpayers in 20 locations, a step toward making the program nationwide.

The IP PIN is a six-digit number that adds a layer of protection to the taxpayers’ Social Security numbers and helps protect against tax-related identity theft. It helps prevent a taxpayer’s SSN from being used on a fraudulent tax return.

Taxpayers will be eligible for this voluntary program if they filed a federal tax return last year from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Washington.

Taxpayers enter their IP PINs onto their federal tax return when prompted by their electronic provider or their tax professional. Taxpayers must use the correct IP PIN on their tax returns to avoid return rejects or delays.

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