IRS issues advice to millions of people before tax deadline

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is encouraging all taxpayers to create a personal online account with an agency to securely access tax information and reduce the risk of identity theft ahead of the 2026 filing deadline (April 15, 2026) for most taxpayers.

IRS Personal Online Account

The IRS said in an official press release that personal online accounts should provide taxpayers with bank-style convenience and security, providing secure access and protection against identity theft.

“The Personal IRS Online Account is a tool that helps individuals manage their federal taxes. Instead of making phone calls and waiting, you can save time by going online.”

Taxpayers with online accounts can use it to view their adjusted gross income, request and access their privacy PIN, check refund and amended return status, retrieve wage and income records, authorize power of attorney and tax information, manage language preferences, receive and view digital notifications, make and cancel payments, set up or change payment plans, and check balances.

The IRS expensed Personal Online Accounts in early 2025, allowing taxpayers to view and download important information returns, including:

  • Form W-2
  • Form 1095‑A
  • Form 1099‑NEC
  • Form 1099‑DIV
  • Form 1099‑INT
  • Form 1099‑MISC

These documents are available for tax years 2023, 2024, and 2025 and are available in your online account.[記録とステータス]tab. This should help taxpayers file accurate returns.

The 2026 tax season opens on January 26th, and for most taxpayers, the federal return filing and tax payment deadline is April 15th. We recommend opening a personal online account as soon as possible to make the filing process faster and smoother.

How to set up an IRS personal online account

The IRS says taxpayers can open an account by: IRS.gov/Account [オンライン アカウントにサインイン]Click to link.

Users must submit an authorized identity source for access. ID.mea third-party identity verification platform that allows the IRS to verify and protect your identity and data. According to CNBC, this may require completing a call with an ID.me video chat agent.

CNBC reports Tom Oseven, director of tax content and government relations at the National Association of Tax Professionals, said opening a personal online account is “relatively cumbersome. But once you open one, that’s it. It takes a little bit of pain to reap the long-term benefits.”

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