As part of an ongoing pilot program, all taxpayers who filed federal returns last year from Georgia, Florida or the District of Columbia are eligible for an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) that will help protect them from tax-related identity theft, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

The pilot project is part of broader IRS efforts to combat tax-related identity theft. The IRS has an aggressive, multi-part strategy of prevention, detection and victim assistance. “Stopping identity theft and refund fraud is a top priority for the Internal Revenue Service, said IRS Spokesman Mark Green. For the 2015 filing season, the IRS continues to expand these efforts to better protect taxpayers and help victims.

Georgia, Florida and the District of Columbia were chosen for the pilot because they have higher levels of tax-related identity theft.

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. Once a taxpayer opts into this program, they will need to use an IP PIN for future year filings. At this time, there is no way to opt out of the program once you sign up for an IP PIN. A new IP PIN will be mailed to the taxpayer each year before the filing season, and the current IP PIN must be used on the tax return before it will be accepted by the IRS for processing.

To opt into the program taxpayers who qualify should visit www.irs.gov/getanippin, to register and create an account. Taxpayers must also verify their identity as part of the process. You can get an IP Pin immediately even if you plan to file later in the year.

Once issued an IP PIN, taxpayers need to use it to confirm their identities on all federal income tax returns filed during the 2015 calendar year. Taxpayers will receive a new IP PIN by postal mail each year.

Eligibility for this program does not mean the taxpayers are already victims of identity theft. “The main purpose of the program is to add an additional layer of protection to taxpayers who live in areas where tax-related identity theft is more prevalent,” said Green.

Learn more about the IP PIN at IP PIN FAQs for Individuals and learn more about identity theft and what the IRS is doing to combat it at IRS.gov/identitytheft. You can also read IRS Fact Sheet 2015-1, IRS Combats Identity Theft and Refund Fraud on Many Fronts, and IRS Fact Sheet 2015-2, Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers and Victims.

  Cumming, election, Forsyth County, Income Tax, Internal Revenue Service, IRS