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Taxpayer
Advocacy Panel (TAP)
Want to improve
the IRS?¨SPEAK
UP
By Andrea Price, TAP member representing Ohio
Guest Column
The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel is comprised of civic-minded
citizen volunteers from all walks of life representing each
state, D.C., Puerto Rico and an international member
(citizens living, working or doing business abroad). TAP is
a Federal Advisory Committee whose mission is to listen to
taxpayers, identify taxpayers’ issues and make suggestions
for improving the IRS service and customer satisfaction.
Everyone has something to say about taxes and the IRS.
Please take a moment to give us your suggestions for TAP to
consider by contacting one of the following:
TAP Ohio member:
tapohioandreaprice@gmail.com
Call Toll-free at:1-888-912-1227
Website:
www.improveirs.org
National Taxpayer Advocate, Erin Collins, issued tips on how to
protect your tax identity.
Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone steals your
personal information, including your Social Security number
(SSN), in order to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent
refund. In calendar year 2020, the IRS suspended 6.9 million
tax returns it suspected of identity theft. If your tax
return is held up due to suspected fraud, the IRS
will delay issuing your refund until it confirms your
identity and validates the filed return.
So, what can taxpayers do to protect themselves and prevent
delays with refunds?
What is an IP PIN and why should I get one?
An IP PIN is a unique six-digit number that prevents someone
else from filing a tax return using your SSN or Individual
Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). The IP PIN is known
only to you and the IRS and helps verify your identity when
you file your electronic or paper tax return. Once the IRS
assigns an IP PIN to a taxpayer, it will not accept an
e-filed tax return without this IP PIN and paper return
processing will be delayed by a manual review to verify the
taxpayer’s identity.
The IP PIN is valid for one year. Each January, a newly
generated IP PIN must be obtained.
Any primary taxpayer (listed first on the return), secondary
taxpayer (listed second on the return), or dependent may
obtain an IP PIN if they can pass the identity proofing
requirements. The IRS issued 4.5 million IP PINs for the
2020 filing season, and IP PINs have been a highly effective
safeguard that prevents fraud from recurring.
How do I get an IP PIN?
If you wish to opt in to the IP PIN program, use the online Get
An IP PIN tool on the
IRS.gov website. If you do not already have an account on
IRS.gov, you must register to validate your identity.
To ensure security, the IRS utilizes a two-factor
authentication process, where it sends a temporary code to
the taxpayer’s mobile phone or email account. The IRS will
also ask the applicant to provide personal information such
as a credit card number or loan number, to validate the
taxpayer’s identity.
If you cannot validate your identity through the Get an IP
PIN tool, there are alternatives. One alternative to using
the online tool is filing Form
15227, Application for an Identity Protection Personal
Identification Number. To
apply this way, you must have:
·
A valid SSN or ITIN;
·
An adjusted gross income of $72,000 or less; and
·
Access to a telephone.
The IRS will use the telephone number provided on the Form
15227 to call you, validate your identity, and assign you an
IP PIN for the next filing season. (For security reasons,
the IP PIN cannot be used for the current filing season. You
will receive your IP PIN via the U.S. Postal Service for the
following year and a unique IP PIN for future years.)
If you are unable to verify your identity online or with the
Form 15227 process or you are ineligible to file Form 15227,
you may call 419-213-5165 for an in-person meeting at a
Taxpayer Assistance Center (Toledo IRS office is in the Four
Seagate Building-433 N. Summit St).
How does the IP PIN process work?
Enter the six-digit IP PIN when prompted by your tax
software product, provide it to your trusted tax
professional preparing your tax return, or enter it on your
paper tax return.
Be aware, correct IP PINs must be entered on electronic and
paper tax returns to avoid additional rejections and delays.
An incorrect or missing IP PIN will cause the rejection of
your e-filed return or a delay of your paper return until it
can be verified.
Don’t reveal your IP PIN
Your IP PIN should be known only to you and your tax
professional and should be used only when you are ready to
sign and submit your return. Be aware that the IRS will
never contact you to ask for your IP PIN. Phone calls,
emails, or texts asking for your IP PIN are scams. |
