ID.me
What you need to know about the IRS migration to online services with ID.me
Beginning this year, the IRS rolled out access to its online services for taxpayers via the third-party authentication software company ID.me. What does that mean for your? You’ll need to create an ID.me account to access the IRS website.
Here’s everything accountants need to know about the transition and application process for ID.me:
History of ID.me and the IRS
The transition to using ID.me comes in an effort to increase security and identity verification, according to the IRS. "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," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig in a statement.
The IRS is not the only government agency to use ID.me - in fact, the Social Security Administration is currently using the software as well.
In response to privacy concerns and backlash, the IRS committed to finding alternatives to ID.me and will eventually shift to Login.gov, a government-controlled sign-in service. It could be years before that system is online so in the meantime, ID.me is being used by the IRS.
You’ll need an ID.me account
With the integration between ID.me and the IRS, individuals will be using ID.me credentials to login to the IRS website. ID.me is simply facilitating a user’s login process to the IRS.
The following IRS online tools will require an ID.me account:
Online Account to securely access individual account information, including the total amount owed, payment history, Economic Impact Payments, payment plan details and more.
Transcripts Online to Obtain various Form 1040-series transcript types online.
Online Payment Agreement to apply for a payment plan to pay off a balance over time.
Child Tax Credit Update Portal to check enrollment for advance payments, unenroll from advance payments, update bank account information and mailing address, and view payments.
Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) Account to obtain or retrieve an IP PIN, which is a six-digit number that prevents someone else from filing a tax return using another person's Social Security number (SSN).
You no longer have to use facial recognition software
In response to backlash from privacy advocates about ID.me’s facial recognition software, the company now allows users to opt out of that step. Users can still use the software to verify their identities, but it is no longer mandatory. For those who want to skip the facial recognition step, ID.me will allow users to video chat with a “trusted referee” instead. Additionally, once verification is complete, ID.me deletes the biometric information collected from users who choose to verify their identities through facial recognition. This is a one-time process to verify identities, and once it’s completed users will simply use their login credentials to sign into the platform. All users will need to use MFA (multi-factor authentication) to login as well.
How to set up your account
First, open the IRS website. Navigate to the “sign into your account” page.
If you already have an ID.me account, select “Sign in with ID.me.”
If you are creating an ID.me account, select that option.
Enter in your email and choose a secure password.
Next, choose how you wish to verify your identity.
If you choose to use biometric authentication, you’ll need to upload a photo of a government ID document. Then, ID.me will request access to your camera and a window will popup to scan your face. This will compare the photo in your government ID to your actual face. This is the method I chose and it was relatively easy.
If you choose to video chat with an agent, you’ll need two identification documents and have to wait for the next available agent.