Dealing with the IRS is rarely anyone’s idea of a good time, but having an IRS Online Account can make at least some of it easier. You can use your account to check payment activity, view tax records, download transcripts, review certain notices, see balances, and access other information without having to call the IRS and wait on hold.
The setup process can feel a little clunky, especially if you have not created an account before or have questions about identity verification. So I put together a step-by-step guide to walk you through creating an IRS Online Account, verifying your identity, and finding the information you are most likely to need once you are logged in.
You can download the guide and keep it handy for the next time you need to check a payment, pull a transcript, or review your tax account.
One important reminder: because tax-related scams are so common, it is always a good idea to go directly to IRS.gov rather than clicking on a link in an unexpected email, text message, or social media post. If you have questions about your account, identity verification, or whether a communication is legitimate, start with the official IRS website.
Let’s be careful out there!
