IRS Offering IP Pins, Scam Warning

The Internal Revenue Service is offering Georgia taxpayers an extra layer of protection this year.

In Georgia, taxpayers can take advantage of a program called the IP Pin program.

IP Pin stands for Identity Protection Pin.

IRS Spokesman Mark Green said the goal is to provide this as an option for taxpayers to use to protect themselves from tax-related identity theft.

“This number, the IP pin, along with your Social Security number, will notify us who the correct filer once the tax return is received,” said Green. “We certainly encourage all taxpayers in Georgia to take a look at the IP pin program and consider it.”

The IRS said the IP Pin is a six-digit number that must be used on a tax return, in addition to the Social Security number, to verify the taxpayers’ identity.

Officials added that once issued an IP Pin, taxpayers need to use it to confirm their identities on all federal income tax returns filed during this calendar year.

Green said that once a taxpayer opts in to this program, they will need to use an IP Pin for future years’ filings as well, as there is not yet a way to opt out of the program.

According to the IRS, the agency will provide participating taxpayers with a new IP Pin each year before the start of filing season.

To opt into the program, taxpayers should go online to www.irs.gov/getanippin.

Meanwhile, the IRS is also encouraging people to be on the lookout for other tax scams now that filing season is underway.

Last week, WNEG received a report of a tax scam where someone received a phone call purporting to be from the IRS, claiming they would sue if money was not paid to the person calling.

Green said there are only certain ways in which the IRS will contact someone.

“The Internal Revenue Service’s first point of contact is by mail,” said Green. “We do not call or e-mail you and harass you and say you owe money and if you do not pay you will be arrested. Second, we do not solicit through social media or e-mail.”

Green said if someone receives a phone call they believe to be a tax scam, they should hang up and contact law enforcement.