In the second installment in a special summer series, the Security Summit partners today reminded tax professionals and taxpayers about the IRS Identity Protection PIN Opt-In Program to help protect people against tax-related identity theft.

Identity Protection PINs, also referred to as IP PINs, serve as a critical defense against identity thieves. The IRS, state tax agencies and the nation's tax industry – working together as the Security Summit – need assistance from tax professionals to let their clients know that IP PINs are now available to anyone who can verify their identity.

“These special numbers provide an extra layer of security for taxpayers filing their tax returns,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “The numbers protect the taxpayer’s sensitive tax return information and complicate efforts by identity thieves to file fraudulent tax returns. The IRS and the Security Summit partners urge tax professionals to encourage their clients to protect themselves through the IP PIN program.

This is the second news release in a five-part "Protect Your Clients; Protect Yourself" summer series from the Security Summit, a public-private partnership that works to protect the tax system against tax-related identity theft and fraud.

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