IRS Online Account can help taxpayers get ready to file their tax return

2021, Tax Tips / By

COVID Tax Tip 2021-28, March 3, 2021

Taxpayers can securely access and view their IRS tax information anytime through their individual online account. They can see important information when preparing to file their tax return or following up on balances or notices. This includes:

  • Adjusted gross income. This can be useful if the taxpayer is using different tax software or a different tax preparer this year. They may need their AGI so they or their preparer can validate their identity.
     
  • Economic Impact Payments. People can check the amounts of their Economic Impact Payments to help them accurately calculate any Recovery Rebate Credit they may be eligible for on their 2020 tax return. The EIP amounts can be found on the tax records tab. Amounts will show as Economic Impact Payment for the first payment and Additional Economic Impact Payment for the second payment. Individuals who are married filing joint will each need to sign into their own account to view their portion of the payments.
     
  • Estimated tax payments. The total of any estimated tax payments made during the year or refunds applied as a credit can be found on the account balance tab. A record of each payment appears under payment activity.

Additionally, taxpayers can view:

  • The amount owed for any past years, updated for the current calendar day
  • Payment history and any scheduled or pending payments
  • Payment plan details
  • Digital copies of select notices from the IRS
  • Tax records using Get Transcript

Later in 2021, taxpayers will be able to digitally sign certain authorization forms, such as a power of attorney, initiated by their tax professional.

Here’s how new users get started:

  1. Select View Your Account on IRS.gov homepage.
     
  2. Select the Create or View Your Account button.
     
  3. Click Create Account.
     
  4. Pass Secure Access authentication. This is a rigorous process to verify the taxpayer’s identity. They must be able to authenticate their identity to continue.
     
  5. Create a profile.

Once the initial authentication process is complete, returning users can use the same username and password to access other IRS online services such as Get Transcript and Get An Identity Protection PIN, if applicable.

All password-protected online IRS tools for taxpayers are protected by multi-factor authentication.