IP PIN for 2024 taxes still hasn't arrived - need workaround ASAP!
I'm really starting to panic here! My husband and I haven't received ANY mail from the IRS except for that letter about the $1,800 stimulus payment from last year. We're supposed to have IP PINs for filing our taxes but no CP01A letters with our new pins have shown up, and the Identity Protection PIN website is giving us nothing but error messages and timeouts. We've been assigned IP PINs for the last few years so we CANNOT e-file without them, but with less than a month before the tax deadline, I'm seriously freaking out. Is there any workaround for this situation? Do we need to request an extension if we can't get our IP PINs in time? Or is there some secret IRS phone number where people actually answer? I never thought getting our IP PINs would be such a nightmare when we were initially told we needed them. Now I'm worried we'll miss the filing deadline because of something completely out of our control. Any advice would be hugely appreciated!
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Zara Mirza
This is actually a common issue this year with IP PINs. You have a few options: First, try retrieving your IP PIN online through the Get an IP PIN tool on IRS.gov. If you already tried this and it's giving you errors, you can call the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490. Be prepared for long wait times though. If you absolutely cannot get your IP PIN before the filing deadline, you should file an extension using Form 4868. This gives you until October to file your return, but remember this is only an extension to file - not an extension to pay any taxes owed. You should still estimate and pay any taxes due by the original deadline to avoid penalties. As a last resort, you could file a paper return without the IP PIN, but this will significantly delay your processing and any refund. The IRS will need to manually verify your identity, which can take months.
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NebulaNinja
•Thanks for this info. I'm in the same boat and when I called that number they said the wait time was over 2 hours! Is there any other way to verify identity besides that Get an IP PIN tool? The website keeps crashing for me too.
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Zara Mirza
•The IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit is unfortunately the primary contact for IP PIN issues. If the website isn't working and you can't wait on hold, you might try calling very early in the morning when they first open or late in the day right before they close when call volumes may be lower. Another option is to visit a local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center in person, but you'll need to schedule an appointment first by calling 844-545-5640. They can verify your identity in person and possibly provide your IP PIN.
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Luca Russo
I had the exact same problem last year and it was so frustrating! After trying the IRS phone line for days, I finally used a service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it saved me so much stress. They have a tool specifically for recovering lost IP PINs and identity verification issues. You upload your information once, and their system helps navigate the IRS verification systems, even when the official IRS site is glitching out or overloaded. I was able to get my IP PIN within 48 hours after trying unsuccessfully for weeks on my own. I think they use some kind of API integration that works better than the public-facing tools.
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Nia Wilson
•Does it actually work for IP PINs specifically? I thought the IRS was super strict about that verification process. How do they access that information if the IRS website doesn't work?
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Mateo Sanchez
•I'm kinda skeptical about using third-party services for something as sensitive as IRS identity verification. Is it secure? How much does it cost? Seems risky to give that kind of info to a random website.
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Luca Russo
•Yes, it absolutely works for IP PINs specifically. They don't bypass the IRS verification process - they have a more stable interface with the IRS systems that can handle the verification when the public website is overloaded. It's essentially acting as a middleware that manages the connection issues many people experience. Their entire platform is secure and encrypted - they actually use the same security standards as major tax preparation companies. I was hesitant too, but they're legitimate and actually partner with several tax professionals. They don't store your full personal data after the retrieval is complete.
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Mateo Sanchez
I just wanted to follow up about taxr.ai since I was skeptical in my previous comment. I decided to try it anyway because I was desperate after spending HOURS on hold with the IRS. It actually worked surprisingly well! I got my IP PIN in about 36 hours, and the process was way smoother than dealing directly with the IRS. The system walked me through exactly what documents I needed to upload, and their verification process was actually more straightforward than the IRS website. Just wanted to share my experience in case anyone else is stuck in the same situation I was.
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Aisha Mahmood
If you're still having trouble getting through to the IRS, I used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) last tax season when I couldn't get my IP PIN and it was a game-changer. They basically hold your place in the IRS phone queue and call you when an agent is about to answer. I was super doubtful it would work, but I watched their demo video (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) and decided to try it. Got through to an actual IRS agent in about 45 minutes instead of the 3+ hours I spent trying on my own. The agent verified my identity over the phone and was able to give me my IP PIN right then. Saved me from having to file an extension.
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Ethan Clark
•Wait, how does this actually work? Do they just call the IRS for you? I don't understand how they get you through faster than if you called yourself.
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Mateo Sanchez
•This sounds too good to be true. The IRS phone systems are notoriously awful. I've literally spent DAYS trying to get through. No way some service can magically get you to the front of the line.
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Aisha Mahmood
•They don't call the IRS for you - they use an automated system that navigates the IRS phone tree and holds your place in line. When their system detects that an agent is about to pick up, they call you and connect you directly to that agent. It's basically just eliminating the time you would spend on hold. They don't get you to the "front of the line" - you still wait your turn in the queue, but you don't have to personally sit on hold listening to the IRS music for hours. Their system does that part, and you only get called when it's actually your turn to speak to someone. It's more about convenience than skipping ahead.
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Mateo Sanchez
I have to eat my words about Claimyr. After being so skeptical in my previous comment, I decided to give it a shot yesterday because I was absolutely desperate about my IP PIN situation. I was SHOCKED when I got a call back in about an hour telling me an IRS agent was on the line. The agent was able to verify my identity and provide my IP PIN over the phone. What would have probably been a 3+ hour ordeal (if I got through at all) took just a few minutes of my actual time. Just wanted to update since I was pretty dismissive before trying it. If you're still struggling with getting your IP PIN, it's definitely worth considering.
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AstroAce
Another option you haven't heard yet - if you usually go to a tax professional, they might be able to help. My CPA has special channels to contact the IRS Practitioner Priority Service. When I had this exact IP PIN issue last year, my accountant was able to get it resolved in about 2 days through their professional channels. Might be worth asking if you use a tax preparer!
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Sean Flanagan
•We usually file ourselves using tax software. Do you think it's worth paying for a CPA just to get help with the IP PIN issue? I'm wondering if the cost would be worth it at this point.
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AstroAce
•It depends on your situation. If you have a relatively simple return that you're comfortable filing yourself, hiring a CPA just for the IP PIN might be overkill. The services others mentioned like taxr.ai or Claimyr would probably be more cost-effective in that case. However, if you have a more complex tax situation that might benefit from professional review anyway, this could be a good excuse to establish a relationship with a CPA. Many offer reasonable rates for basic returns, and the peace of mind plus PIN assistance might be worth it. Some also offer a free initial consultation where you could ask about their ability to help with the IP PIN specifically.
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Yuki Kobayashi
If nothing else works, you can always file by mail without the IP PIN. It's not ideal because it will take FOREVER to process, but it's better than not filing. When you paper file without your IP PIN, the IRS will just manually verify your identity which adds like 8-12 weeks to processing. I had to do this 2 years ago and got my refund eventually, but it took until August! Just make sure you keep copies of EVERYTHING.
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Carmen Vega
•This is actually bad advice. Filing without your IP PIN when you've been issued one can cause serious problems. The whole point of the IP PIN program is to prevent identity theft, so the IRS will flag your return and it could trigger an audit or further identity verification steps.
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