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New IRS Online Accounts For Individuals
On November 17, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service announced that it had launched a new and improved identity verification and sign in process. The new accounts are available on IRS.gov. The new accounts use a technology provider with the web address ID.me. These accounts include substantial improvements in the identity verification process.
IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig stated, "Identity verification is critical to protect taxpayers and their information. The IRS has been working hard to make improvements in this area and this new verification process is designed to make IRS online applications as secure as possible for people. To help taxpayers and the tax community, we are improving the accessibility of online tools that help families manage their Child Tax Credit, check on their IRS accounts and securely perform other routine tasks online."
The ID.me initiative has been developed under the Secure Access Digital Identity Initiative of the federal government. It will include additional services, such as the ability to connect taxpayers with their tax professionals.
The ID.me account will phase out existing IRS accounts by the middle of 2022. Therefore, the IRS urges taxpayers to create an ID.me account as soon as possible.
Some taxpayers already have an ID.me account through the Child Tax Credit Update Portal or another government agency. The ID.me account can be used for accessing your Social Security, Veterans Administration or IRS accounts.
An individual can create the ID.me account on IRS.gov. After selecting "View Your Account" on the IRS home page, it will be necessary to create the new ID.me account.
The ID.me account page directs you to take smartphone or webcam pictures. The pictures should be the front and back of a driver's license or a passport. After the smartphone pictures of your driver's license have been processed, the application will ask you to complete a "video selfie". You will need to avoid glare on the driver's license or passport. For the video portion, make sure you are centered and remove your glasses or any other item that may interfere with the video selfie. After completing the pictures and videos with your smartphone, you will be directed back to the computer portal to complete the remaining requested information. Once you verify your information is accurate and complete, you will be prompted to authorize the sharing of your information with the IRS.
After your identity has been verified, you will have access to the Child Tax Credit Update Portal, IRS Online Account, the Get Transcript Online tool or an Online Payment Agreement.
Editor's Note: If you have a problem with the stringent requirements for ID.me verification, there is an ID.me IRS help site where you can create a support ticket.
IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig stated, "Identity verification is critical to protect taxpayers and their information. The IRS has been working hard to make improvements in this area and this new verification process is designed to make IRS online applications as secure as possible for people. To help taxpayers and the tax community, we are improving the accessibility of online tools that help families manage their Child Tax Credit, check on their IRS accounts and securely perform other routine tasks online."
The ID.me initiative has been developed under the Secure Access Digital Identity Initiative of the federal government. It will include additional services, such as the ability to connect taxpayers with their tax professionals.
The ID.me account will phase out existing IRS accounts by the middle of 2022. Therefore, the IRS urges taxpayers to create an ID.me account as soon as possible.
Some taxpayers already have an ID.me account through the Child Tax Credit Update Portal or another government agency. The ID.me account can be used for accessing your Social Security, Veterans Administration or IRS accounts.
An individual can create the ID.me account on IRS.gov. After selecting "View Your Account" on the IRS home page, it will be necessary to create the new ID.me account.
The ID.me account page directs you to take smartphone or webcam pictures. The pictures should be the front and back of a driver's license or a passport. After the smartphone pictures of your driver's license have been processed, the application will ask you to complete a "video selfie". You will need to avoid glare on the driver's license or passport. For the video portion, make sure you are centered and remove your glasses or any other item that may interfere with the video selfie. After completing the pictures and videos with your smartphone, you will be directed back to the computer portal to complete the remaining requested information. Once you verify your information is accurate and complete, you will be prompted to authorize the sharing of your information with the IRS.
After your identity has been verified, you will have access to the Child Tax Credit Update Portal, IRS Online Account, the Get Transcript Online tool or an Online Payment Agreement.
Editor's Note: If you have a problem with the stringent requirements for ID.me verification, there is an ID.me IRS help site where you can create a support ticket.
Published November 19, 2021
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