American taxpayers with dependents who have already been claimed on another taxpayer’s return should sign up for an identity protection program ahead of tax season to avoid refund delays with e-filing, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced this week.
Starting next year, the IRS will accept certain e-filed forms even if a dependent has already been claimed on a previously-filed return as long as the primary taxpayer on the second return includes Identity Protection Personal Identification Numbers (IP PINs), the agency said.
Forms 1040, 1040-NR and 1040-SS are the forms for which the IRS is asking IP PIN signup for taxpayers with dependents claimed on another taxpayer’s return.
In previous years, the second tax return had to be filed by paper, but the IP PIN update will allow for e-filing. The change will reduce the time for the agency to receive the tax return, and speed up tax refunds for those with duplicate dependent returns.
IP PINs provide a way for taxpayers to help protect themselves against identity theft. Under next year’s changes, the IP PIN will also help protect taxpayers when someone fraudulently claims a taxpayer’s dependent.
According to the IRS, taxpayers who plan to file early in 2025 should sign up for an IP PIN before Saturday. After that date, the IP PIN system will be offline for annual maintenance until early January 2025.
Taxpayers who do not have IP PINs will have their e-filed returns rejected if one of their dependents has already been claimed by another taxpayer, according to the IRS.
To get an IP PIN, taxpayers should go to IRS.gov and follow the steps for identity verification.
For those unable to create an Online Account, alternative methods are available, such as in-person authentication at a Taxpayer Assistance Center. More information is available on how to sign up at Get an identity protection PIN (IP PIN).
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