IRS Offers Authentication Alternative to Facial Recognition
The IRS recently announced that it is offering a new authentication option of a live, virtual interview with agents for taxpayers who prefer to sign up for an IRS online account without the use of any biometric data, including facial recognition.
The IRS had planned on having taxpayers submit a selfie for facial recognition, along with a government document like a passport or driver’s license, to set up an online account through third-party provider ID.me as part of efforts to curb taxpayer identity theft. The IRS decided to transition away from that plan earlier this month after members of Congress expressed concerns regarding taxpayer privacy.
Taxpayers still have the option to verify their identity automatically through the use of biometric verification through ID.me. The IRS said that new requirements are in place to ensure images provided by taxpayers are deleted for the account being created, and any existing biometric data from taxpayers who previously created an account will be permanently deleted within the next few weeks.
The IRS stated that the new plan is a short-term solution for this year’s filing season and that the agency will work closely with government partners to roll out Login.Gov as an authentication option after the 2022 filing deadline.
TSCPA will continue to provide updates on this story, including when the announced changes are implemented on the IRS online account page.