IRS Issues Advice To Millions Ahead Of Tax Deadline
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is urging millions of taxpayers to create an Individual Online Account to securely access tax information and reduce the risk of identity theft ahead of the 2026 tax filing deadline.
For most taxpayers, the deadline to file federal returns and pay any taxes owed is April 15, 2026. According to the IRS, the Individual Online Account provides bank-level security and convenient access to personal tax records. In an official press release, the agency described the account as a tool designed to make managing federal taxes easier while saving time by reducing the need to call the IRS.
With an Individual Online Account, taxpayers can view their adjusted gross income, request and access an Identity Protection PIN, check the status of refunds and amended returns, retrieve wage and income records, approve power of attorney and tax information authorizations, manage language preferences, receive and view digital notices, make or cancel payments, set up or modify payment plans, and check account balances.
The IRS expanded the capabilities of the online account in early 2025, allowing users to view and download key tax documents, including Form W-2, Form 1095-A, Form 1099-NEC, Form 1099-DIV, Form 1099-INT, and Form 1099-MISC. These documents are available for tax years 2023, 2024, and 2025 and can be found under the “Records and Status” tab, helping taxpayers prepare accurate returns.
The 2026 tax season opened on January 26. The IRS is encouraging taxpayers to create an online account as early as possible to make the filing process faster and more efficient.
To set up an account, users can visit IRS.gov/account and click “Sign in to your online account.” Taxpayers must verify their identity through ID.me, a third-party identity verification service used by the IRS to protect user data. This process may include a video call with an ID.me agent.
“Setting up an Individual Online Account can be relatively cumbersome,” said Tom O’Saben, director of tax content and government relations at the National Association of Tax Professionals “However, once the process is complete, you have a little bit of pain for long-term gain.”
Source: msn
