For the 2026 filing season, IP PINs are becoming available in early January 2026, and the IRS online IP PIN tool is already live again as of January 6, 2026.

Quick Scoop

  • The IRS takes the IP PIN system down each year for maintenance from around mid‑November until sometime in January.
  • For this current season, the IRS notes that the IP PIN service is unavailable from November 16, 2025 until January 2026, after which taxpayers can again get or view their new PINs in their online accounts.
  • Tax pros and user reports show that for 2026 specifically, IP PIN letters have started going out by mail and the online IP PIN website is live as of January 6, 2026, so taxpayers can now access their new 2026 IP PINs to file 2025 returns.

When will the 2026 IP PIN be available?

  • Each year, a new six‑digit IP PIN is generated for that calendar year; the “2026 IP PIN” is what you use to file your 2025 tax return that’s due in April 2026.
  • The IRS explains that IP PINs are generally available in your online account starting in mid‑January and remain accessible through mid‑November each year.
  • For this cycle, the maintenance window runs until sometime in January 2026, but external updates show the IP PIN website and mailing of 2026 PINs are already active as of January 6, 2026, so most taxpayers who are enrolled should now be able to retrieve their 2026 IP PIN.

How you’ll get your 2026 IP PIN

  • If you’re already enrolled in the IP PIN program through an IRS online account, your new 2026 IP PIN will appear in that account once the tool is live, typically starting mid‑January, but this year access is reported as available from January 6.
  • If you’re an identity theft victim automatically enrolled by the IRS, you’ll receive your 2026 IP PIN in the mail on a CP01A notice, which the IRS sends annually with your new number.
  • New enrollees can usually opt in through their IRS online account during the mid‑January to mid‑November window and get their IP PIN immediately once their identity is verified.

What this means for filing your 2025 return

  • The 2026 IP PIN must be entered on your 2025 federal tax return when you e‑file (or on a paper return) to avoid rejections or processing delays.
  • An IP PIN is valid for only one calendar year; you cannot reuse last year’s number on this year’s tax return.
  • If you try to file before retrieving your 2026 IP PIN, your e‑filed return may be rejected, so it’s best to log into your IRS account or wait for your CP01A notice before submitting.

Bottom note

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.