PIN or Personal Identification Number - Tax Return Electronic Signature

This might be an understatement, but the Personal Identification Number (PIN) system implemented by the IRS is confusing and difficult to understand by most taxpayers.

When you efile your 2011 Tax Return, you will need to provide one of the three following choices: your 2010 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) amount, your 2010 self-select PIN, or a new 2011 temporary Electronic Filing PIN.

But which one should you use? Match yourself to one of the cases below and let us help you decide:

Case 1: You Filed a 2010 Tax Return but Do Not Have Access to a Copy

Don't worry, you do not need a copy of your 2010 Tax Return to efile a 2011 Tax Return. You don't need to know your 2010 AGI or your 2010 PIN to get a new 2011 temporary Electronic Filing PIN from the IRS.

Most taxpayers qualify for a new 2011 PIN. If you filed a 2010 Tax Return (Form 1040, Form 1040-A, Form 1040-EZ, or Form 1040-SS) and your Tax Return was accepted by December 11, 2011, you are eligible to get a 2011 Electronic Filing PIN.

You may quickly and easily get a new PIN from the IRS here: http://www.efile.com/my-efile-pin

All you will need to do is enter several easily remembered pieces of information from your 2010 Tax Return:

Full Name
Social Security Number (or Taxpayer Identification Number)
Date of Birth
Filing Status (from your 2010 Tax Return)
Mailing Address (as it appeared on your 2010 Tax Return)

Get your 2010 PIN here: Get your Electronic Filing PIN online or call the IRS at 866-704-7388 for PIN help.

Case 2: You Filed a 2010 Tax Return and You Have a Copy

If you have a copy of your 2010 Tax Return, you may want to use your 2010 AGI. Learn more about using your 2010 Adjusted Gross Income here.

Alternatively, if you remember it, you can use your 2009 self-selected PIN, but it will not normally show up on tax return copies and there is no way to retrieve it from the IRS.

Even if you have a copy of your 2010 Tax Return, you may still wish to use a new 2011 Electronic Filing PIN to efile. If so, you may get one here: http://www.efile.com/my-efile-pin

Case 3: You Did Not File a 2010 Tax Return

During the efile process on efile.com, you will be asked, "Did you file a tax return with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) last year?" If you did not file a 2010 Tax Return with the IRS, simply answer "No".

How to check e-collect tax refund status

You will be directed to a screen where you can choose a self-select PIN to use for efiling. Save this PIN because you can use it to efile next year.

2011 Electronic Filing PIN Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Get an Electronic Filing PIN?

Anyone who filed a 2010 Tax Return that was accepted by December 11, 2011, is eligible to get a new Electronic Filing PIN.

Once I Have My New PIN, Where Do I Enter It?

Once you have your PIN you can enter it into your efile.com prepared tax return on the page labeled "Provide Identifying Information".

If I Have a New 2011 PIN, Do I Need to Enter My 2010 PIN or 2010 AGI?

No, you will not need to enter your 2010 AGI or 2010 PIN once you have a new 2011 Electronic Filing PIN.

PIN In-frequently Asked Questions (Just in Case You Want to Know)

Do I Need Form 8453? (efile.com will let you know if you do)

Most taxpayers do not have to file Form 8453. Only those people filing certain forms will need to use Form 8453, U.S. Individual Income Tax Transmittal for an IRS e-file Return. The efile.com software will generate this form if you need it.

What Is a Practitioner PIN? (something you don't need on efile.com)

Online filers, including customers of efile.com, do not need to worry about a Practitioner PIN. A Practitioner PIN is only used when a taxpayer physically visits an authorized tax practitioner and signs Form 8879, IRS efile Signature Authorization, which authorizes the practitioner to efile for the taxpayer. Again, you do not need this PIN when preparing your taxes on efile.com.

Instructions on How to Correctly Enter Your 2010 PIN or New 2011 PIN on efile.com

These instructions will also tell you how to correct tax return Error 679 or 0679.

If your efiled Federal tax return has an error code: IND-031, IND-032, 0679, or 0680:

Error Code: IND-031 or 0679: The first or primary taxpayer listed on the efile.com tax return
Error Code: IND-032 or 0680: The spouse on a married efiling jointly tax return return

Please check and verify the following:

Step 1: Primary Prior Year PIN (Personal Identification Number)
Step 2: Primary Electronic Filing PIN
Step 3: Primary Prior Year AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) must match the IRS eFile database.
The amount you entered for your prior year's adjusted gross income (AGI) or your Prior Year PIN does not match what the IRS has in its records.
This rejection occurs because the IRS is unable to verify your (or your spouse's, if filing jointly) identity for efiling.

Recommended efile.com solution: Enter a new efiling PIN from the IRS.

Click here: http://www.efile.com/my-efile-pin/ and get a new PIN or call the automated IRS phone number 1-866-704-7388 for a new efiling PIN.

Once you have received your PIN(s), open your tax return on efile.com.
Important Notice: Do not enter last year's PIN, as this will cause your return to be rejected for the same reason.

View Instructions (image)
View Instructions (pdf)

First, please sign in to your tax return:
http://www.efile.com/tax-return-signin/

Click the "Results" link located on the left menu.
On the next screen you will see your refund/balance due amount. Click "Continue".
Your return will build. When it is finished click "Continue". (Click the "View Return" button if you want to view/print your forms).
The next screen is the "Efile Selection" screen. Make sure there is a green check mark beside the form(s) you want to efile. Click "Continue".
There will be no extra charge if you correct your PIN and efile or re-submit your tax return again. Click "Continue".
On the next screen select if you want to have your tax refund mailed or deposited. Click "Continue".
You will come to a screen where you will be asked if you filed a tax return last year.
You must have filed a 2010 Tax Return to use a PIN, so select "Yes". You will be directed to a screen labeled "Provide Identifying Information".
If you have a 2010 PIN, select "Your 2010 PIN" and enter your PIN.
If you got a new 2011 PIN from the IRS, select "A 2011 IRS Electronic Filing PIN" and enter your new PIN.
Click "Continue". The next screen will ask you to create a PIN to sign your return and which you can use next year to efile your return. This can be any five numbers you choose except 00000. This PIN does not have to be the same as the PIN you previously entered.
Click "Continue" and your return will build. On the next screen enter the security code listed on the screen and click the "E-file" button to send your return.
You will receive an email confirming that your return has been filed. You should hear back from the IRS in 24 - 48 hours concerning the status of your return. If you did not receive an email, make sure you do not have spam filter blocking it.