Less than a month left to file your tax returns: how and why you need to create an account on the IRS website

We have come to the end of the 2022 tax season. There are only three weeks left (until April 18) to file your 2021 tax return. Taxation this year includes a number of important changes that could affect the numbers on your tax return. An account on the website of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can simplify the process of filing a declaration, writes CNET.

You can find all the information you need to file your tax returns this year using your online account on the IRS website. This account requires registration with ID.me, a third-party identity verification service. Once you do this, you will have access to valuable tax data and IRS tools.

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Why create an online IRS account

The most obvious reason for creating an IRS account is to quickly view your personal tax details. Once registered, you can access a wide range of tax information, including:

• your adjusted gross income;
• details of the latest tax return;
• history of tax payments for the last five years;
• the amount of taxes you owe this season;
• the amount of coronavirus financial assistance you received;
• the amount of the child tax credit you received;
• digital versions of some IRS notices.

In addition to viewing your personal tax information with your IRS account, you can make payments online, receive certain IRS notifications, and approve authorization requests from your tax professional. you also can get instant copies of tax records for previous years (Transcripts of past tax returns and payroll and income statements). With an online account, you can also request a PIN CODE for personal data protectionto add an extra layer of security to tax documents.

Tax experts advise creating an account on the IRS website in case you run into a tax problem in the future. It's better to have an account already set up than to be forced to register online during the stress of tax troubles that have already begun.

What you need to register on the IRS website

It takes 15 to 30 minutes to create an IRS account. Before you start the process, you will need to collect a few documents:

• valid email address;
• your address;
• identity card (US passport, ID-card or driver's license);
• your social security number (SSN) or taxpayer identification number (ITIN);
• mobile phone registered to you.

If you don't have a mobile phone or don't want to connect your number to your IRS account, you can request an activation code by mail. The code will arrive in about 10 days and will be valid for 30 days.

How to create an account on the IRS website

There are several registration options. The easiest way is to visit the page "Your account» on the IRS website. To start the registration process, click on the blue button "Login to your account».

As soon as the waiting page redirects you further, you will be taken to a page asking register an ID.me account. ID.me is a third party identity service that is now required for all new IRS accounts.

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Signing up for ID.me will take about 15 minutes and will require photos or scans of an identity document. Here is a step-by-step instruction for registering on this service:

1. Enter your email address and create a password.
2. Confirm your email address.
3. Turn on multi-factor authentication with your phone.
4. Choose the type of ID verification: self-service via video selfie or video chat with an ID.me agent.
5. Upload photos of your ID.
6. Take and upload a "video selfie" or wait an hour or two for a video chat interview.
7. Enter your social security number.
8. Finally, allow the IRS access to your ID.me account.

Once you have authorized the IRS to access your information on the ID.me site, your IRS account must be up and running and you will have access to all information and features provided by the IRS.

Some users have reported that after registering they receive a message: “A condition has been detected that prevents you from accessing this service.” If you received this message, IRS recommends you wait and sign in later. If you continue to receive error messages for some time, click the "view your alternatives" button on the error page to resolve the issue by phone or email.

Can I create an online IRS account for my business

The IRS has not yet created the ability to open business accounts on its website, but plans to add this feature in the future

Business owners can now make payments online using Electronic federal tax system.