PIN or Personal Identification Number - Electronic Filing PIN

For 2009 income tax returns, a five digit Electronic Filing PIN (Personal Identification Number) will be the only efile signature method accepted by the IRS. You must have certain information from your 2008 tax return to use the "Self-Select PIN Method" of electronically signing your tax return. If you do not have access to your 2008 return, you may use the IRS "Electronic Filing PIN Help Tool" to obtain a new PIN.

Option 1: Electronic Filing PIN Help Tool

You do not need your 2008 AGI or PIN to obtain a new PIN.

If you filed a 2008 Tax Return (Form 1040, Form 1040-A, Form 1040-EZ, Form 1040-SS) and your Tax Return was accepted by December 13, 2009, you are eligible to obtain the Electronic Filing PIN (for instructions see below).

If you cannot provide your Prior-Year Adjusted Gross Income or your Prior-Year PIN (at least one is necessary to use the Self-Select PIN Method), you may easily request a new PIN by using the IRS Electronic Filing PIN Help Tool, which is available here.

In order to use the Electronic Filing PIN Help Tool, you will need to enter several easily remembered pieces of information from your 2008 Tax Return:

• Full Name
• Social Security Number (or Taxpayer Identification Number)
• Date of Birth
• Filing Status
• Mailing Address

Get your Electronic Filing PIN online or call 1-866-704-7388 for PIN help.

Option 2: Self-Select PIN Method

To use the Self-Select PIN Method of authentication, you will need to provide your Prior Year Adjusted Gross Income exactly as reported on your 2008 Tax Return and/or your Prior Year PIN (the PIN you used to electronically sign your 2008 Tax Return). If you provide both pieces of information, you will need to select a "shared secret" to further verify your identity. If you can provide only your Prior Year AGI or your Prior Year PIN, you will need to select 2 "shared secrets".

Can Anyone Use an Electronic Filing PIN?

Anyone who filed a 2008 Tax Return by December 13, 2009, is able to get an Electronic Filing PIN.

Can Anyone Use the Self-Select PIN Method?

Only those taxpayers below the age of 16 who have never filed or efiled a tax return are not able to use the Self-Select PIN Method of e-signature.

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

Once you have your PIN you can enter it into your new efile.com 2009 Tax Return in the space marked "Prior Year PIN/Electronic Filing PIN". You will not need to know your 2008 AGI or 2008 PIN once you have the new PIN.

What About Form 8453?

The old method of selecting a PIN for e-signature, by filling out Form 8453-OL, has been eliminated and only Form 8453, U.S. Individual Income Tax Transmittal for an IRS e-file Return, will be accepted. Don't worry; the efile.com tax software will select the correct form for you. All you have to do is enter your PIN in your 2009 Tax Return on efile.com.

Practitioner PIN

A Practitioner PIN is only used when a taxpayer physically visits an authorized tax practitioner (an Electronic Return Originator, or ERO) and signs Form 8879, IRS efile Signature Authorization, which is retained by the ERO.