Ahead of Tax Filing Season, Senator Collins Reminds Maine Taxpayers to Apply for IRS Identity Protection PIN
Washington, D.C. — Ahead of tax filing season, which begins on February 12th, U.S. Senator Susan Collins is reminding Maine taxpayers that they can apply for an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to thwart tax-related identity theft. Senator Collins co-authored the bipartisan Taxpayer Identity Protection Act to expand the program to all taxpayers who can properly verify their identities. The legislation was signed into law in 2019 as a provision in the Taxpayer First Act.
“Each year, tens of thousands of Americans are victims of tax refund fraud, and seniors are particularly vulnerable,” said Senator Collins. “Ahead of tax filing season, I encourage Mainers to apply for an IP PIN to protect themselves against identity theft. This PIN will prevent taxpayers from being ripped off by criminals and ensure that they receive the refunds to which they are entitled.”
The IP PIN is a six-digit number assigned to eligible taxpayers to help prevent the misuse of their Social Security number on fraudulent federal income tax returns. An IP PIN helps the IRS verify a taxpayer's identity and accept their electronic or paper tax return.
Taxpayers who obtain an IP PIN should never share their code with anyone but their trusted tax provider. The IRS will never call to request the taxpayer's IP PIN, and taxpayers must be alert to potential IP PIN scams.
Click here for more information and to apply for an IP PIN: https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin
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