The IRS is urging taxpayers to use a handy online tool to check the status of their federal tax accounts. The online account feature [1] is one of many useful online tools driving the impressive growth in visits to the agency’s popular website. Already this year, visits to IRS.gov have jumped 24 percent over last year at this time.
The IRS.gov online feature [1] provides individual taxpayers with basic information to file, pay or monitor their tax payments. In addition, taxpayers can:
- View the amount they owe.
- Pay online or set up an online payment agreement.
- Access their tax records.
- Review the past 10 months of their payment history.
- View key tax return information for the most recent tax return they filed.
To access their information online, taxpayers must register through Secure Access [2], the IRS’ two-factor authentication process. This identity-proofing process rigorously protects sensitive information. Taxpayers who already registered using Secure Access for Get Transcript Online or Get an IP PIN may use their same username and password. Taxpayers should review the Secure Access process prior to starting registration.
In addition to the online account tool [1], the IRS encourages taxpayers to visit IRS.gov to see many other self-service tools and helpful resources available for individuals, businesses and tax professionals. “Where’s My Refund? [3]” for example, and the IRS2Go mobile app [4] remain the best way to check the status of a tax refund. This tool is updated no more than once a day, so taxpayers don’t need to check more often.
The IRS doesn’t initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media to request personal or financial information. This includes requests for PIN numbers, passwords or similar access information for credit cards, banks or other financial accounts.