New Tool Helps Taxpayers with IRS Inquiries

The Internal Revenue Service has launched an online application to help taxpayers with “straightforward balance inquiries.”

The app allows taxpayers to view their IRS account balance, which will include the amount they owe for tax, penalties and interest.

Before accessing the tool, taxpayers must authenticate their IDs through a two-step authentication process, which means returning users must have their credentials (username and password) plus a security code sent as a text to their mobile phones.

Taxpayers who have registered to get a transcript online or an IP PIN may use their same username and password. To register for the first time, taxpayers must have an email address, a text-enabled mobile phone in the user’s name and specific financial information, such as a credit card number or specific loan numbers.

Taxpayers can review the access process prior to starting registration. The IRS will send verification, activation or security codes via email and text – and it warns that it will not initiate contact via text or e-mail asking for log-in information or personal data. The IRS texts and e-mails will contain one-time codes.

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