I "think" if you go to the IPPIN entry box and right click and choose ADD NOTE then it will show up in the List of Notes in the Review Diagnostics that you look at prior to EFiling.  I know it creates a little pencil icon on that line, but Im with you, having it show up as a red error on the forms list would be great, same goes for SSA income, if they had it in one year, the next years program should flag it as a red error for missing info until you either enter a figure or remove the worksheet!

I agree with you on the Social Security.  It does show the form in the forms bar but doesn't flag it.  That would help us when someone forgets their form.  Especially now that most of them are not mailed out and the taxpayer doesn't even know it's missing.

I know the PIN rigmarole is not perpetual, but I couldn't find anything that shows how many years a taxpayer will suffer from it.  I thought I saw somewhere it ends for a victim after five years.  The IRS obviously isn't too concerned about identity theft, because they are a couple years behind on processing Form 14039.  And mailing refund checks is so hazardous they won't do it anymore -- but PIN's are only delivered by mail?

If you don't want to use the "two-year comparison" feature to remind yourself that there was Social Security income last year, how do you check on whether a 1099-R was received from each regular payer? I'm not quite ready to notify my clients, "don't rely on me because all I do is rely on artificial intelligence."

It’s a good idea… There’s a suggestion box around here somewhere…. I don’t think the PINs ever expire as the IRS is “promoting” that individuals can sign up for the program ‘for added protection’

IRS efforts to reduce identity theft are wasteful and ineffective.  The assumption is that a victim this year is more likely to be a victim next year, when the reality is that the hackers move on to someone else whose SSN and address they have found on the dark web.  Still, if taxpayers want to look forward to their annual communication of a PIN, it's a free country.  (Sort of.  Maybe ICE could send an annual letter confirming American citizenship.)  If people don't want to participate, and can get past the IRS busy signals, they can ask to be removed.  See Internal Revenue Manual:

25.23.2.6.2 (10-01-2024)
Manually Reversing TC 971 AC 501
In some instances, it may be necessary to manually reverse TC 971 AC 501. Reversal may be necessary because of any of the following reasons:
TPRQ - The taxpayer requests reversal. . . .

21.1.3.2.3, Required Taxpayer Authentication, and IRM 21.1.3.2.4, Additional Taxpayer Authentication,
. . .
If the taxpayer insists on removal of the identity theft indicator after you have explained the benefits, review the account to determine if the identity theft issue is open in another function. If there is an open identity theft case, refer the case to that function using your normal referral procedures. Do not take actions on identity theft cases being worked by another function.

I saw it mentioned in another tax group, when you log into your IRS account there is now a button to opt-out of the IPPIN

from IRS ip pin faqs.   Talks about voluntary IPPins… silent on assigned by IRS

Q23. Can I opt-out of the IP PIN program? (updated March 18, 2025)

A23. Yes, if you voluntarily joined the IP PIN program and have not been a victim of tax-related identity theft, then you may opt-out of the IP PIN program. To find out if you are eligible to opt-out, please log into your online account. If you enrolled into the program though the one-time enrollment option, you will be opted out of the program at the end of the calendar year.