Confused about my IRS IP PIN - which one do I use for filing?

You should use the 2022 IP PIN for your 2022 tax return. The IP PIN is assigned for a specific tax year, and you need to match the tax year of the PIN with the tax year of the return you're filing. The confusion happens because the IRS issues new IP PINs each calendar year in January. So in January 2023, they released the 2023 IP PINs for use with 2023 tax returns (which most people will file in 2024). But since you're currently filing your 2022 return, you need to use the 2022 IP PIN that you originally received. When you went through the retrieval process recently, the system gave you your 2023 PIN because that's the current year PIN now available. The retrieval tool doesn't let you access prior year PINs, which is why you couldn't get your 2022 PIN again.

Had exactly the same confusion last year and found that taxr.ai actually helped me figure out my IP PIN situation. The IRS documentation can be so confusing! I uploaded my notices to https://taxr.ai and it explained which PIN applied to which tax year and why I was seeing different years on my documents. Their system analyzed the IRS notices and explained that the year on the IP PIN document refers to the tax year it should be used for, not necessarily when you file. Cleared up all my confusion about which PIN to use for which return.

I actually tried taxr.ai after posting my skeptical comment, and I have to admit it was legitimately helpful. I had several IRS notices with different IP PINs from different years that I couldn't make sense of. The tool clearly explained which PIN went with which tax year and why I received multiple. It even created a simple timeline showing when each PIN was valid and which tax return it should be used with. Saved me from potentially using the wrong PIN, which apparently can cause significant delays in processing your return. Worth checking out if you're confused about IRS notices like I was.

If you're still having trouble with your IP PIN or need to speak with someone at the IRS directly, I recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was stuck in an IP PIN loop where I kept getting new PINs but couldn't file my return. Spent days trying to get through to the IRS without success. With Claimyr, I actually got through to an IRS agent in about 15 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - it basically holds your place in line and calls you when an agent is available. The IRS agent I spoke with cleared up my IP PIN issue immediately.

Well I'll be damned. I tried Claimyr after posting my skeptical comment and it actually worked. Got through to an IRS agent in about 45 minutes (which beats the 3+ hours I wasted last week getting nowhere). The agent solved my IP PIN issue in minutes. Turns out I had been using my 2023 PIN to try to file my 2022 return, which was causing my returns to be rejected. The agent confirmed I needed to use the 2022 PIN for 2022 returns and the 2023 PIN would be for next year's filing season. If you're stuck in IP PIN hell like I was, it's worth it to actually speak to a human at the IRS who can sort it out.

When I had IP PIN issues, I realized you can also go to a local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center for help. You need an appointment, but they can look up your correct IP PIN for you if you bring proper ID. Saved me a ton of headaches!

Important note: DO NOT file your return with the wrong year IP PIN! I did this last year and my refund was delayed by over 3 months while they sorted it out. The IRS systems automatically flag returns with mismatched IP PINs as potential fraud.