Your IRS Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) only comes from the IRS and is not printed on prior tax returns, W‑2s, or standard tax forms.

Where to find your existing IP PIN

If you’re already in the IP PIN program, you can usually find it in one of these places:

  • IRS CP01A notice in the mail
    • Each January, the IRS mails a CP01A letter to enrolled taxpayers with their new 6‑digit IP PIN for that filing season.
* Check this year’s mail (and last year’s, if you’re not sure which is which) and any tax folder where you keep IRS letters.
  • Your IRS online account
    • Sign in to your IRS online account and go to the IP PIN or “Identity Protection PIN” section; your current year IP PIN should be displayed there if you’re enrolled.
* If nothing shows, you may need to complete enrollment before one appears.
  • Spouse and dependents
    • If you file jointly or claim dependents, each person with an IP PIN has their own number. They need to check their own CP01A letter or IRS online account.

If you lost or never got your IP PIN

If you know you’re supposed to have an IP PIN but can’t find it:

  • Use the IRS “Get an IP PIN” tool via your IRS online account to retrieve your current year’s IP PIN after signing in and verifying your identity.
  • Or call the IRS IP PIN line (listed on IRS.gov) and ask them to mail you a replacement IP PIN; this can take up to about 3 weeks.
  • Tax software and preparers cannot generate or look up your IP PIN; it must come directly from the IRS.

If you don’t have an IP PIN yet but want one

If you’re asking “where do I find my IP PIN for my taxes” because you want to start using one:

  • Fastest:
    • Create or log in to your IRS online account and use the “Get an IP PIN” option; once your identity is verified (often using ID.me), you can receive an IP PIN immediately online.
  • If you can’t verify online (lower income threshold applies):
    • Complete Form 15227 (IRS Identity Protection PIN Application & Verification) and send it in. The IRS will call to verify your identity, then mail you your IP PIN in about 4–6 weeks.

Once enrolled, you’ll get a new CP01A letter with a fresh IP PIN each year in January.

TL;DR:
Check your CP01A IRS letter from January, or log in to your IRS online account and look for the IP PIN section. If you still can’t find it, use the “Get an IP PIN” tool or call the IRS to have it mailed. All IP PINs come only from the IRS, not from your tax software or preparer.

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