A Virginia Tax personal identification number (PIN) is a unique identifier assigned to eligible Virginia taxpayers to help protect against tax refund fraud. 

Things to know

  • We mail new PINs to eligible taxpayers each year by the end of December or early January. You do not need to request a new one each year. We will send it automatically.  
  • Your PIN is only active for the calendar year for which it was assigned. Do not use an expired PIN on your tax return.
  • If we assign you a PIN, you must use it on ALL income tax returns you file during the calendar year, including amended or prior year returns. If you don’t use your PIN when you file, it will cause a delay in processing. 
  • Your PIN is for filing your Virginia tax return only. Do not use your Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) issued by the IRS on your Virginia tax return.
  • Never share your PIN with anyone other than a tax professional filing your return. 

How to use your PIN

  • You must use your Virginia PIN and Social Security number on all Virginia individual income returns you file during the calendar year. 
  • If you’re filing electronically through Free File or other approved tax preparation software, your tax software will prompt you to enter your PIN. 
  • If you’re filing on paper or using Free Fillable Forms, enter your current PIN in the “ID Theft PIN" box. 
  • You must file prior year returns on paper. Enter your PIN in the "Office Use Only" box and attach a copy of your PIN letter to your return. 
  • You only need to use one PIN on a joint tax return, even if you and your spouse were both issued a PIN. Either PIN is acceptable. 

What to do if you lose your PIN or didn’t receive a new one in the mail 

  • If we issued you a PIN and you lost it or you didn't receive a new one in the mail, call customer services at 804.367.8031. We will verify your identity and mail you a replacement PIN within 15 days.  
  • If we issue a new PIN, any previously issued PINs will be deactivated. If you find your original PIN after requesting a new one, you should discard the PIN and wait for the new one to arrive.
  • If you use an old or incorrect PIN on your return, it will cause a delay in processing. 

How to request a Virginia Tax PIN

If you are a victim of identity theft and need to file a Virginia income tax return, and want the added protection of a Virginia Tax PIN, send us the following:

  • A letter explaining how your personal information was compromised.
  • Your full legal name
  • Your Social Security number or tax ID number issued by the IRS
  • Your current address
  • A clear copy of a government-issued ID card, such as a Virginia driver’s license, Virginia identification card issued by DMV, or a voter registration card with your current name and address 
  • Documents showing you are a victim of identity theft. This could be a letter from an employer, an insurance company, a hospital, a broker, or a police report if one was filed.
  • Daytime phone number where you can be reached 

Where to mail your PIN request:

Department of Taxation
Compliance Section, RAP Unit 1
PO Box 27003 
Richmond, VA 23261-7003

Once we review your information, we will contact you if we have questions, or we will mail a PIN to the address provided before filing season starts.