IDIQ is not a bank, lender, tax advisor, or insurance company. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.
Quick answer: Parents and legal guardians can request an IP PIN for a dependent. If the dependent is under 18, they cannot use the IRS online account method. Use Form 15227 if you meet the eligibility requirements, or schedule an in-person appointment at a Taxpayer Assistance Center. Enrollment is free.
Protecting your child’s identity is one of the most important steps a parent can take. Research shows that child identity fraud costs U.S. families nearly $1 billion annually and affects one out of every 50 children. One effective step is obtaining an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) for your child.
This guide explains what an IP PIN does, who can request one, and how to navigate the process for a child or dependent. For information on getting an IP PIN for yourself as an adult, see our guide on how to get an IP PIN from the IRS.
What Is an IP PIN?
An IP PIN is a six digit number assigned by the IRS to help prevent someone from filing a federal tax return using your child’s Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Learn more about child identity theft and how criminals can misuse a child’s personal information.
When an IP PIN is active, it must be entered on the federal tax return alongside the dependent’s SSN. A return filed without the correct PIN will be rejected electronically, stopping fraudulent filers in their tracks. The IP PIN is free to obtain and is valid for one calendar year.
Important: an IP PIN applies to specified federal individual income tax returns. It does not apply to state tax returns.
Who Can Request an IP PIN for a Child?
Parents and legal guardians can request an IP PIN on behalf of a dependent child. The child does not need to have income or be required to file a tax return. The IRS allows proactive enrollment, meaning you can request an IP PIN for your child before any fraud has occurred.
The dependent must have a valid SSN or ITIN, and the application process varies based on the dependent’s age and ability to verify their identity independently.
Which Application Method Applies to Your Child?
The correct method depends on the dependent’s age and ability to create an IRS online account. Use the guide below to find the right path.
Dependent Under 18: Use Form 15227 or an In-Person Appointment
Important: A dependent under 18 cannot request an IP PIN through the IRS online account tool. Per IRS guidance updated in 2026, applicants under 18 must use an alternative enrollment option. You have two choices:
- Form 15227 (Application for an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number) if you meet the income and telephone eligibility requirements.
- In-person appointment at a Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) if you are ineligible for Form 15227 or prefer to complete the process in person.
Dependent Age 18 or Older and Able to Verify Identity
If the dependent is 18 or older and can create their own IRS online account, they may request their own IP PIN directly through the IRS “Get an IP PIN” tool. The dependent completes the process using their own account, not the parent’s.
Dependent Unable to Complete Online Verification
If the dependent is 18 or older but cannot complete online identity verification, they may also use Form 15227 if eligible, or schedule a TAC appointment.
How to Submit Form 15227 for a Dependent
Form 15227, Application for an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number, can be submitted through the IRS website. The IRS now accepts this form online. Verify the current submission method at the IRS website at the time you apply, as procedures can change.
Eligibility for Form 15227
To use Form 15227, the dependent must meet the following requirements as of the current tax year. Always verify current thresholds on the IRS website before applying, as income limits are subject to change.
- A valid SSN or ITIN
- Adjusted gross income that falls within the IRS eligibility limit (check the current threshold at irs.gov)
- Access to a working telephone, since the IRS will call to verify identity after the form is submitted
What Happens After You Submit Form 15227
After the IRS receives the form, they will call the phone number provided to verify the dependent’s identity. Once verified, the IRS will mail the IP PIN to the address on file. Delivery typically takes four to six weeks.
How to Request an IP PIN In Person
If you are ineligible for Form 15227 or prefer to complete the process in person, schedule an appointment at your nearest IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center. Walk-ins are generally not accepted for this service.
Documents to Bring
The document requirements for a TAC appointment are different for the parent or guardian and the dependent. Bring all documents in original form. The IRS does not accept photocopies.
Parent or guardian:
- One current government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license or passport)
- One additional form of identification
- Proof of guardianship if you are not the child’s parent (such as a court order or guardianship document)
Dependent:
- Two approved identification documents as specified by the IRS
Check the current IRS document requirements at irs.gov before your appointment, as accepted document types may be updated.
How to Use a Dependent’s IP PIN When Filing
Once you have your child’s IP PIN, you must include it on any federal tax return that claims the dependent. Omitting the IP PIN from an eligible return will cause the electronic filing to be rejected.
- Form 1040 series: Enter the dependent’s IP PIN in the designated field when e-filing.
- Form 2441 (Child and Dependent Care Expenses): If you are claiming dependent care expenses, include the IP PIN where required.
- Schedule EIC (Earned Income Credit): If you are claiming the Earned Income Credit with a qualifying child who has an IP PIN, enter it in the appropriate field.
Paper returns: If you file a paper return, a dependent’s IP PIN is not required. However, e-filing is strongly recommended by the IRS for security and speed.
The IRS will never ask for your child’s IP PIN by phone, email, or text. If you receive such a request, it is a scam.
What Happens to the IP PIN Each Year
The IRS generates a new IP PIN for each enrolled individual every calendar year. You do not need to reapply. Families enrolled through alternative methods such as Form 15227 or a TAC appointment receive a CP01A notice by mail in January each year with the new PIN. You can also retrieve your current IP PIN through the IRS online tool if you have an IRS account. Learn more about how the annual IP PIN renewal works.
Use the new PIN issued for that calendar year when filing. Using an expired PIN from a prior year will result in a rejected e-file.
What to Do If the IP PIN Is Lost, Never Arrives, or Causes a Rejection
If the mailed PIN never arrives, is lost, or if an e-filed return is rejected because of a PIN error, do not submit another Form 15227. Instead, use the IRS online retrieval process to access the current PIN or contact the IRS directly at 1-800-908-4490.
- PIN not received by mail: Wait the full four to six weeks from the date of IRS verification before following up. Then contact the IRS at 1-800-908-4490 or log in to the IRS online tool to retrieve it.
- PIN rejected at e-filing: Confirm you are using the PIN issued for the current tax year, not a prior year’s PIN. Retrieve the current PIN through the IRS tool or CP01A notice.
- Lost PIN: Do not reapply. Retrieve the current year’s PIN by logging in to your IRS online account or by contacting the IRS.
What an IP PIN Does Not Protect
An IP PIN is a useful tool for preventing fraudulent federal tax filings, but it has limits that are important to understand.
- It does not lock your child’s Social Security number. A SSN can still be used for purposes other than federal tax filing, including account applications and identity verification at non-IRS institutions.
- It does not freeze your child’s credit. A credit freeze is a separate action taken through the three major credit bureaus and is not connected to the IRS IP PIN program.
- It does not detect or prevent every form of identity theft. The IP PIN specifically protects against fraudulent federal tax returns. It does not monitor your child’s identity across other financial or personal records.
- It does not apply to state tax returns. State filings operate under separate systems. An IP PIN has no effect on state tax filings.
For broader identity monitoring that goes beyond tax returns, consider family identity theft protection which monitors your family’s personal data and sends an alert when we detect possible suspicious activity. To learn more about the signs that a child’s identity may have been misused, read our guide on child identity theft.
After Receiving the IP PIN: Best Practices
Once you receive your child’s IP PIN, take these steps to keep it secure and use it correctly.
- Store the IP PIN in a secure location, such as a locked file or encrypted document.
- Do not share it with anyone except a trusted tax preparer when filing.
- Use the correct IP PIN for the current tax year. A new PIN is issued each January.Update the IRS if your mailing address changes to ensure you receive the annual CP01A notice.
- The IRS will never ask for the IP PIN by phone, email, or text. Treat any such request as a scam.
Protect More Than Just Your Child’s Tax Return
An IP PIN is one layer of protection. For comprehensive coverage, IdentityIQ® family identity theft protection helps monitor your family’s personal data and sends an alert when we detect possible suspicious activity involving your or your children’s information.
If tax identity theft has already occurred, our identity restoration support can help you navigate the recovery process. You can also take proactive steps to help prevent tax identity theft beyond the IP PIN. Sign up for IdentityIQ family identity theft protection for comprehensive protection this tax season.
Frequently Asked Questions: IP PIN for a Child or Dependent
Here are answers to the most common questions about getting and using an IP PIN for a child or dependent.
Can I get my child’s IP PIN online?
Not through an IRS online account in your child’s name. A dependent under 18 cannot create an IRS online account and cannot use the online “Get an IP PIN” tool. Instead, use Form 15227 if eligible or schedule an in-person TAC appointment. A dependent who is 18 or older and can verify their identity independently may use the IRS online tool through their own account.
Is getting an IP PIN for a child free?
Yes. The IRS IP PIN program is free. There is no fee to submit Form 15227 or to schedule a TAC appointment.
Does my child need income to get an IP PIN?
No. The IRS allows proactive enrollment for any eligible individual, regardless of whether they have income or are required to file a tax return. You can request an IP PIN for your child before any fraud has occurred.
How long does it take to receive the IP PIN?
If you submit Form 15227, the IRS will call to verify identity and then mail the IP PIN. Delivery typically takes four to six weeks. An in-person TAC appointment may result in faster issuance depending on the TAC location.
Where do I enter a dependent’s IP PIN when filing?
When e-filing a return that claims a dependent with an IP PIN, you must enter the dependent’s IP PIN in the designated field on the Form 1040 series. If applicable, also enter it on Form 2441 and Schedule EIC. Omitting the PIN will cause the e-filed return to be rejected.
Does the IP PIN change every year?
Yes. The IRS issues a new IP PIN each calendar year. You do not need to reapply. Enrolled individuals receive a CP01A notice by mail each January with the new PIN. You can also retrieve it online. Learn more about how the annual IP PIN process works.
What do I do if I lost my child’s IP PIN?
Do not submit another Form 15227. Instead, log in to the IRS online tool to retrieve the current year’s PIN, or call the IRS at 1-800-908-4490 for assistance.
Does an IP PIN protect my child’s credit?
No. An IP PIN only protects against fraudulent federal tax filings. It does not freeze your child’s credit or prevent identity theft outside of the federal tax system. To help protect your child’s credit, consider placing a credit freeze with each of the three major credit bureaus separately.
Protect Your Child’s Identity Beyond Tax Season
Securing an IP PIN for your child is a smart, proactive step. But tax fraud is just one way a child’s identity can be misused. Comprehensive family identity protection goes further, monitoring your family’s data year round and alerting you when we detect possible suspicious activity.
If you suspect a child’s Social Security number may already be in use, learn how to find out if someone is using a Social Security number. For year round protection, sign up for IdentityIQ® family identity theft protection today.
