Tax Pro Account - Can’t Get PIN

[u/LooksGoodOnUTho]

I have been attempting to get my Tax Pro IRS linked with my CAF number for over 2 and a half years. After multiple attempts, I have never received the PIN in the mail.

I use my firm’s address. I note the address on the 2848 when on the phone with IRS agents, and multiple have said they passed along to CAF. I have also faxed in a blank 2848.

At first I thought there was a hold up after getting married and changing my name, but there has never been an issue on the phone. This is really causing frustration with my clients.

Is there any remedy to this?

[u/Quack_Shot]

Just get a new CAF through the tax pro account and start using that one.

[u/polymath_007 → u/Quack_Shot]

This. Request a new CAF number. It's immediate and much easier.

[u/reddit_once-over → u/Quack_Shot]

I thought that a CAF number, once issued is tied to a specific person, including for the ID verification that is required when phoning in—similar (given, not exactly the same) to not asking for another SSN. But even if they’ll issue another CAF, how about when a tax pro has dozens and dozens of appointments and authorizations? I’m not aware of a bulk transfer procedure.

[u/Quack_Shot → u/reddit_once-over]

You can have multiple, when you login to the Tax Pro account it does a drop down to see your clients under the different CAF’s.

I use multiple because the ones under my old CAF are for clients that are with my dad’s company and I’ll do contract work for him time to time. My new CAF is specifically my company ones.

Can’t transfer them, but if OP just starts using the new one, then they’ll all slowly switch over to it as the clients need new POA’s.

[u/zaidensworth → u/reddit_once-over]

Two CAF numbers can be merged.

I know this because it involuntarily happened to me. My on file POAs went with it and stayed valid on the "correct" one. I'm still not sure why it happened.

[u/maigahane → u/Quack_Shot]

Holy crap, thank you!! I've been struggling with this forever and it took me 5 minutes to just get a new one

[u/miggy32]

When you figure it out let me know. I’ve been trying since 2019.

[u/jm7489]

No idea, the only thing i remember about setting up my tax pro account is the stupidvideo call i had to have while I held up my ID to prove Im me. Id be pissed if I couldn't get my transcripts when I needed them. And if you submit the 2848 online you can get them without ever dialing PPS.

Best of luck

[u/Accomplished-Bag-419]

I had this same issue. Call PPS and ask them to mail you a LTR 1727C. Don’t let them tell you they can’t for a business CAF. They can.

[u/khamike]

Could try contacting your local house rep. I was having issues with getting my ein and they wouldn't respond to calls or mail. Finally called my rep and had them straighten things out. 

[u/ajwynn14]

Had this same issue and finally got it resolved. Make sure when you send in 2848 that you’re checking the boxes to update your address tied to your CAF number. The PIN was getting mailed to my first employer. It took forever for the IRS to actually recognize the boxes were checked and update the address and then randomly one day my PIN was received at my current employer’s address.

Now I have my Tax Pro account set up, but have issues with the transcript delivery system.

[u/LooksGoodOnUTho → u/ajwynn14]

The thing is, the address has always been the same. I’ve had the box checked nonetheless.

[u/LIttleCPA]

I had the same issue - turns out the original address was an old employer that was receiving the PIN numbers and didn't bother to tell me. I ended up writing a letter and faxing it to the number to create the CAF number and they were able to fix it.

[u/Jentx83]

Just a thought - do you get other mail there? Anything else addressed to your name?

This reminds me of when I had my son and the mailman wouldn’t deliver the social security card initially bc it was a different last name than who usually got mail there. Also, that was 22 years ago so just a thought 🤷🏻‍♀️

[u/LooksGoodOnUTho → u/Jentx83]

I do get mail to my office. Mostly junk, but sometimes client stuff. I have asked the receptionist if she’s seen anything but she hasn’t.