Here at Eiger, Lang & Company, we encourage all our clients to register for an Online Account with the IRS. Having an IRS online account is a safe and easy way for taxpayers to view specific details about their federal tax account. There are many features that are included with an IRS online account, such as accessing tax records, making and viewing payments, viewing or creating payment plans, viewing your balance, managing communication preferences, and much more.
One main reason that we encourage you to register for an IRS online account is that it can be very difficult to obtain information about your federal tax account via other methods. For example, the IRS is notorious for having extremely high call volumes, which leads to very long wait times when trying to contact them via telephone. Additionally, as tax professionals, we are unable to speak to the IRS on your behalf without a valid Power of Attorney form on file. When requesting information from the IRS via mail, it could take weeks or even months for them to process your request and prepare a response. Therefore, an IRS online account is the best method for obtaining specific details about your federal tax account.
Another reason for creating an IRS online account is to view your payment history. The IRS account will allow you to view 5 years of payment history, including estimated tax payments. Quite frequently, when asked if any estimated tax payments were made during the year, taxpayers are unsure of the dates or amounts of the estimated tax payments that were made. Some states, including New Jersey, allow you look up your estimated tax payments online. However, the IRS version of this feature is only available to those with an IRS online account. It is imperative that we report the correct amount of estimated tax payments on your tax return, otherwise it could cause delays in processing and adjustments to your refund or balance due.
In order to register for an IRS online account, you must first create an ID.me account. If you are not familiar with ID.me, it is an account that is maintained and secured by a technology provider. The account requires you to verify your identity by matching a photo of yourself with a form of photo identification (e.g., your driver’s license). It is an extremely secure platform that aims to protect your identity and sensitive information. While it may seem like a hassle, it is a straightforward and simple process that will go a long way with protecting your identity. You only need to create an ID.me account once and then will use it to sign into your IRS online account. Other government partners also use this sign-in option, so you may already have created an ID.me account.
Lastly, in this world of increased identity theft and fraudulent behavior, it is extremely important to safeguard your identity and personal information. If someone gets a hold of your social security number, it is very easy for them to file fraudulent tax returns and claim substantial refunds in your name. With an IRS online account, you will be able to apply for an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN). This is a six-digit number that the IRS will issue to you to prevent someone else from filing a tax return using your social security number. We strongly encourage you to at least consider registering for an IRS online account and requesting an IP PIN. A few minutes of your time could save you from a lifetime of headaches. No matter how cautious you are with protecting your sensitive information, identity theft is common and can happen to anyone. If you have any questions about registering for an IRS online account or the features they have to offer, please feel free to contact our office and we would be glad to give you more information. After all, our goal at Eiger, Lang & Company is to make your life less taxing!
Create your IRS Account here: https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account