How to Create and Sign In to Your IRS Online Account (2026)

You need to get into your IRS Online Account, maybe to check a refund, grab a transcript, set up a payment plan, or request an Identity Protection PIN. The catch is that you cannot just pick a username and password anymore. The IRS verifies your identity through a partner called ID.me, and that one account signs you in to every IRS online service.

The whole thing breaks into two parts. First you create the ID.me account (email, password, and a security code method). Then you verify your identity one time using a photo ID and a quick selfie or short video call. After that, signing in is just email, password, and a one-time code.

This guide walks through creating the account, both verification methods (quickest first), how to sign in once you are set up, and what to do when a verification error code stops you.

Before You Start: What You Need

Gather these first so you do not get stuck halfway through. Identity verification expects all of them in one sitting.

You must be age 18 or older. ID.me does not verify people under 18 for the IRS.
A personal email address you can check right away.
A unique password with at least 8 characters. ID.me recommends including a number, an uppercase letter, and a symbol.
A multifactor authentication (MFA) method: an authentication app, face or touch unlock, or a cell phone that can receive texts.
Your Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). The IRS requires one to access online services.
A valid government photo ID: a driver's license or state ID, or a U.S. passport or passport card.
A smartphone with a camera, or a computer with a webcam, for the selfie or video call.

This first part just sets up the login. Identity verification comes right after.

1.Go to IRS.gov and pick the account you need. For a personal account, open irs.gov/payments/online-account-for-individuals (or irs.gov/your-account). The three portals are Individual, Business, and Tax Pro.
2.On the page, select Sign in or create account. (Button labels can shift over time, so if the wording differs, look for the option that lets you sign in or create a new account.)
3.Under the new-account option, select the ID.me Create an account button. You are creating an ID.me account, which is what the IRS uses to verify you.
4.Enter your personal email and create a password with at least 8 characters. Save it somewhere secure.
5.Confirm your email by clicking the verification link ID.me sends to your inbox.
6.Set up MFA. ID.me can send a one-time code by text, phone call, or authenticator app, or you can use a passkey.

Once the account exists, the IRS application moves you straight into identity verification.

Verify Your Identity with Self-Service (Fastest)

Self-service is the quickest route, with no waiting for an agent. You upload your ID and take a short video selfie.

1.From the IRS application, select Verify with ID.me, sign in to your ID.me account, and complete MFA.
2.Choose Self-Service as your verification method.
3.Upload your photo ID. Follow the prompts for your driver's license or state ID. To use a passport or passport card instead, select Change Document.
4.Take and submit a video selfie. ID.me uses it only to confirm you match the ID.
5.Enter your personal information, including your phone number and your Social Security number when requested.
6.Review your details for accuracy, then select Yes.
7.Review what the IRS will receive and select Allow to share it. That completes verification.

On privacy: for people who verify for the IRS, all selfie, video, and biometric data are automatically deleted, except in cases of suspicious or fraudulent activity.

Verify with a Short Video Call (No Selfie)

If the selfie keeps failing, or you would simply rather not use biometrics, choose the video call. A live agent compares you to your uploaded document. You can pick this method up front instead of waiting for self-service to fail.

1.From the IRS application, select the ID.me button, sign in (or create an account), complete MFA, then choose Video Call.
2.Step 1, Upload document: submit photos of your driver's license or state ID, or your U.S. passport or passport card. Confirm your phone number, enter your SSN, and select Continue. Review and select Yes to confirm it is accurate.
3.If you do not have any of those documents, select I don't have a driver's license, state ID, passport, or passport card to pursue the extended call with alternative documents.
4.Step 2, Join the call: select Join video call, allow microphone and camera access, consent to recording, then select Join video call again. Stay on while the agent checks you against your document; it takes only a few minutes. Calls are offered in American Sign Language on request.
5.Step 3, Complete: return to the IRS website, sign in, and select Allow to share your information.

Already verified once? Signing back in is fast.

1.Go to the IRS service you want, such as your Online Account at irs.gov/payments/online-account-for-individuals.
2.Select Sign in with ID.me.
3.Enter your ID.me email and password.
4.Complete multifactor authentication (enter the one-time code or use your passkey).
5.Follow the prompts into the IRS application.

If this is your first time using an existing ID.me account with the IRS, you may be prompted to upgrade your ID.me Wallet by completing identity verification and consenting to share your information.

What You Can Do Once You Are In

The Individual Online Account is more than a refund tracker. After signing in you can:

View key return information, including your adjusted gross income (AGI), and access account transcripts with wage and income records.
Check refund status, confirm an amended return's status, and view audit status for audits conducted by mail.
View and download available information return documents, such as Forms W-2 and certain 1099s.
View digital notices from the IRS and opt in to paperless notices or email notifications in your profile settings.
Make a payment, schedule payments up to 365 days ahead, cancel scheduled payments before the due date, and view up to 5 years of payment history.
Apply for a new payment plan or modify an existing one.
Request an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) and access it throughout the year.
Authorize a tax professional through Power of Attorney and Tax Information Authorization requests.

Fix Common Verification Error Codes

If verification stops with a code, here is what each one means and what resolves it.

EC 6001: the name on your ID.me Wallet does not match what the Social Security Administration has on file. Update your name in your ID.me account settings to match SSA records exactly, including any middle initial or suffix.
EC 6101: you verified without using an SSN or ITIN. The IRS requires one, so re-verify using your SSN or ITIN.
EC 6000: a security condition is preventing access at that time. The IRS error page directs you to view your alternatives for other ways to complete the transaction, and to contact the IRS.
Error 5001: appears after signing in to your ID.me Wallet. Contact the IRS directly, because ID.me Support cannot assist with this one.
Selfie loop: if the self-service selfie fails after several tries, ID.me redirects you to a short video call. You can also choose the video call up front to skip the selfie entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a separate account for business and personal IRS services?

No. Use a single ID.me Wallet for both personal and work or business use by adding additional emails. You do not need separate wallets.

Can someone under 18 create an IRS Online Account?

No. ID.me does not verify individuals for the IRS who are under the age of 18, which matches the IRS requirement that you be 18 or older.

What if I cannot finish verifying before the filing deadline?

If you cannot complete identity verification in time, the IRS suggests filing for an extension so a stalled verification does not make your return late.

Can I verify if I live outside the U.S.?

Yes. International users without a U.S. phone number, mailing address, or SSN can still verify their identity with ID.me. Keep in mind an SSN or ITIN is still required to actually access IRS online services.

Is there an IRS or ID.me app I should download?

Verification is done through the IRS web application in your browser. You use your smartphone camera or a computer webcam for the selfie or video call; no separate standalone app is needed for account access.

What about accessibility and screen readers?

Video calls are offered in American Sign Language on request. ID.me self-service supports JAWS, ZoomText, and Dragon NaturallySpeaking, with one noted JAWS limitation: using SHIFT+TAB to navigate backwards into radio-button controls loses visual focus on the selection.