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Are there any taxpayers not eligible to use the Self-Select PIN method?

The following taxpayers are not eligible to use the Self-Select PIN method:

• Primary Taxpayers under age 16 who have never filed.
• Secondary Taxpayers (spouse) under age 16 who did not file in the immediate prior year.

How can the taxpayer get their prior year original AGI or prior year PIN if they did not bring in last year's tax return or they are a new client?  

The taxpayer may call the IRS toll free number at 1-800-829-1040.  If they can provide certain information to the Customer Service Representative (such as their name, SSN, and current address), they may receive the prior year original AGI amount or prior year PIN over the phone or they may request a free transcript.  Allow 7 to 10 days to receive the transcript.  Taxpayer should be sure to ask for the original AGI. 

If the taxpayer has never filed a tax return or did not need to file a 2008 tax return, what amount do they enter for the prior year original AGI or prior year PIN?

Enter zero ("0") for the original AGI.  Do not leave this field blank.  The return will reject if the field is left blank for a zero amount.  However, the prior year PIN field should be left blank.

If the taxpayer changed filing status from their 2008 tax return, what Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) or PIN do I use?

If the change is to Married Filing Jointly, then each taxpayer will use their individual original total Adjusted Gross Income amount or PIN from their respective 2008 tax returns. 

If I had an ITIN (IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) when I filed my Tax Year 2008 tax return, but now have an SSN this filing season (TY 2009), what prior year AGI amount do I use?

If you had an ITIN when you filed your Tax Year 2008 tax return, but now have an SSN to file your Tax Year 2009 tax return, you should use Zero (0) as the prior year AGI amount.

Use the AGI amount or PIN from the joint return filed with the ex-spouse.

Both taxpayers on the joint return will use the total AGI amount from the originally filed return.  The AGI amount should not be divided between the primary and the spouse.

You must use the original AGI amount or PIN from the originally filed return.  The return will reject if the amended AGI amount is used.  Do not use amounts from an amended return, a corrected amount from a math error notice, or a changed amount from IRS.

If your 2008 tax return was not received and processed by IRS by December 7, 2009, you must enter "0" (zero) for the AGI amount.  If the return is rejected due to mismatch of the AGI, resubmit the return using the actual values.

If your Tax Year 2008 AGI is negative they need to enter the AGI as a negative amount.

Yes, each taxpayer must sign using a PIN.  The taxpayers will choose any five digits, except all zeros, as the electronic signatures.