As part of its efforts to strengthen the identity validating process used to access certain self-help tools on IRS.gov, the Internal Revenue Service is requiring all e-services users to re-register using the Secure Access authentication process on or after Oct. 24.
For first-time users, registration requires identity proofing, financial verification and an activation code text. Returning users must submit their username/password credentials and a security code text.
Starting October 24, the IRS also will provide additional staff for the e-Help Desk and provide assistance to those users who are having difficulty passing Secure Access.
Have your AGI on hand
Separately, the IRS is warning taxpayers facing the Oct. 17 filing deadline that they may need the adjusted gross income amount from their 2014 return to e-file a return.
Taxpayers who prepare their own electronic tax returns are required to e-sign their return by using a five-digit, self-selected PIN. To authenticate identities, taxpayers will now also need to enter either of two items: their prior-year AGI or their prior-year self-select PIN and their date of birth. If married filing jointly, both taxpayers must authenticate their identities with this information.
The IRS is phasing out the use of the e-filing PIN, which is no longer available as an alternative except for those taxpayers who had obtained an e-file PIN earlier this year. The IRS emphasizes that those filers may use their e-file PIN for this year only.
Taxpayers who lack access to their prior-year tax returns also may go to irs.gov/transcript and use Get Transcript Online or Get Transcript by Mail.
