How Do You Create an IRS Account?

What You Need Before You Start

You need an ID.me account to sign in and use services on IRS.gov. Gather these items before you begin.

Login.gov or ID.me—Which Should You Choose?

Both Login.gov and ID.me are secure and meet federal standards. The IRS accepts both. Here’s how to decide:

Choose Login.gov if:

• You have a Social Security number (SSN) and live in the U.S.
• You have a smartphone or tablet with a camera for identity verification.
• You prefer the U.S. government’s official sign-in service for federal websites.

Choose ID.me if:

• You have an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN).
• You live outside the U.S.
• You don’t have a smartphone or tablet with a camera.

If you’re unsure, you can try creating a Login.gov account first. If that doesn’t work for you, you can always create an ID.me account instead—both work with the IRS.

Terms to Know

• An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is a tax ID number the IRS issues to people who don’t have and can’t get an SSN.
• Multifactor authentication means you prove it’s you with a second step after your password. You can use an authentication app, face or touch unlock, or a cell phone that gets texts.
• Login.gov is the U.S. government’s official sign-in service for secure access to federal websites. The U.S. government maintains the Login.gov system.
• ID.me is a private company that provides secure sign-in for government and non-government websites. ID.me maintains the ID.me system.

Steps to Create Your IRS Account

With your email and photo ID ready, the setup itself has four steps.

1. On IRS.gov, select the account or service you need, such as the individual online account.
2. Select “sign in or create account.”
3. Follow the steps to create an ID.me account.
4. Follow the steps to verify your identity using your SSN or ITIN and photo ID.

Not sure if you already have an account? The best way to find out is to try creating a new one. After you finish, one ID.me account (whether Login or ID.me) signs you in to most IRS accounts and services. You won’t need a separate login for each one.

If you verify with a selfie or video, ID.me automatically deletes those images and your biometric data for IRS users. The exception is data tied to suspicious or fraud activity.

What You Can Do in Your IRS Account

Once you’re verified, your account gives you a direct view of your federal tax records. You can:

• View key tax return details, including your AGI, and access tax transcripts
• Check the status of your refund or an amended return
• Read digital notices from the IRS
• View your W-2s and certain 1099 forms
• Make same-day payments or schedule payments up to 365 days ahead
• View up to 5 years of payment history and your balance for each tax year
• View or create a payment plan
• Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)
• Go paperless
• Approve power of attorney or tax information authorization requests from a tax professional

Your AGI (adjusted gross income) is your total income minus certain allowed adjustments. It’s one of the numbers you’ll see on your tax return.

If You Can’t Verify Online

If you get stuck during setup, get help from the Login.gov help center or ID.me help center, depending on which provider you chose . You can also handle some tasks without an account.

• Request an account transcript by mail
• Make a guest payment without logging in

Sources

• IRS, Creating an Account for IRS.gov
• IRS, Online Account for Individuals
• Login.gov, Help Center
• ID.me, Help Center