what is ptin number

A Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) is an identification number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to paid tax return preparers. It is used on U.S. federal tax returns or claims for refund submitted to the IRS. The PTIN was created in 1999 to protect the privacy of tax return preparers, allowing them to use this number instead of their Social Security Numbers on tax forms. All paid tax return preparers, including foreign tax return preparers, are required to have a PTIN. The IRS issued more than 1 million PTINs between August 1999 and August 2010.