IRS Online Account: One of the Easiest Ways to Manage Your Federal Taxes

Learn how an IRS Online Account lets taxpayers view balances, tax records, estimated payments, transcripts, IRS notices, refunds, payment plans and more.

If you have ever wondered how much you owe the IRS, whether an estimated tax payment was received, where to find a prior-year tax transcript, or whether the IRS has issued a notice, there's an easier way to get answers.

The IRS Individual Online Account gives taxpayers secure online access to much of their federal tax information in one place. The IRS currently allows individuals to view balances, payments, tax records, notices and certain information returns, as well as manage payment plans and tax professional authorizations.

For many taxpayers, creating an account can eliminate the need to search through old tax files or call the IRS for basic account information. Create an online account at www.irs.gov/your-account.

What Is an IRS Online Account?

An IRS Online Account is a secure portal that allows individual taxpayers to access and manage information associated with their federal tax account.

Through the account, taxpayers can access tax records, check balances, make and review payments, manage certain payment plans, review IRS notices, and approve certain authorizations.

If you haven't created an account before, be prepared to complete the IRS identity-verification process. The IRS advises new users to have photo identification available when establishing an account.

1. View Your Tax Records and Transcripts

One of the most useful features of an IRS Online Account is access to your tax records.

You may be able to view:

• Prior-year tax information
• Adjusted gross income (AGI)
• Tax return transcripts
• Tax account information
• Wage and income information
• Certain Forms W-2 and 1099
• Tax compliance information

The IRS describes the Individual Online Account as the fastest and easiest way to view, print or download transcripts and review other tax records.

Why does this matter?

Your CPA may need these records if you are missing tax documents, preparing a prior-year return, responding to an IRS notice, or trying to reconcile information reported to the IRS.

For example, your Wage and Income Transcript can be particularly helpful when a W-2 or 1099 is missing.

2. Check Your IRS Balance

Wondering,"How much do I actually owe the IRS?"

Your online account can show balances owed by tax year.

This can be particularly important because the amount originally shown on a tax return or IRS notice may no longer equal the current balance after additional payments, penalties or interest.

Before sending a payment, it can be helpful to review the tax year and balance shown on your account.

3. Review Your Estimated Tax Payments

This is one of the features we believe can be especially valuable for taxpayers who make quarterly estimated payments.

The IRS allows taxpayers to view up to five years of payment history, including estimated tax payments. You can also see pending and scheduled payments.

That can help answer an extremely common question at tax time:

"Did I make all four of my estimated tax payments?"

Rather than relying entirely on bank records, confirmation numbers, or memory, you can compare your records with the payment history reflected by the IRS.

4. Make or Schedule IRS Payments

Taxpayers can make same-day payments or schedule payments from a bank account as much as 365 days in advance through their online account. Scheduled payments can also be canceled before the scheduled payment date.

The IRS also offers IRS Direct Pay for qualifying payments outside the Online Account.

Tip: Always verify the tax year, form, and payment type before submitting an IRS payment. Applying a payment to the wrong tax year can create unnecessary notices and account discrepancies.

5. Check Your Refund or Amended Return

Your account can also provide access to refund and amended-return status information.

This can be useful when you're waiting on the IRS and want to check the status before contacting your tax professional or the IRS directly.

6. View IRS Notices Online

Another useful feature is access to certain digital IRS notices.

You can also choose paperless delivery for certain notices and receive email notifications when new account information or activity becomes available.

This can be particularly valuable because IRS notices are often time-sensitive.

Important: If you receive an IRS notice you don't understand, don't ignore it simply because you disagree with it. Send a copy to your CPA or tax professional promptly so they can determine what action, if any, is required.

7. Set Up or Manage an IRS Payment Plan

If you cannot pay your federal tax balance in full, your Online Account may allow you to:

• Review available payment-plan options
• Apply for a new payment plan
• View an existing plan
• Revise certain payment-plan details
• Establish a plan for an amount you expect to owe for the current tax year

These options are currently available through the IRS Individual Online Account.

Before automatically entering into an installment agreement, however, taxpayers with significant balances should consider discussing the situation with a qualified tax professional.

8. Get an Identity Protection PIN

Your IRS account also provides access to an Identity Protection PIN, or IP PIN.

An IP PIN is an additional identity-verification measure used when filing a federal tax return. For taxpayers concerned about tax-related identity theft, this can be an important security tool.

9. Approve Your CPA or Tax Professional

This is an especially useful feature when you're working with a CPA.

Your IRS Online Account can allow you to review and electronically approve certain:

• Power of Attorney authorizations
• Tax Information Authorizations

The IRS currently allows taxpayers to view and electronically sign these authorization requests through the portal.

This can make it easier for your tax professional to obtain appropriate authorization when helping resolve an IRS issue.

Don't Have an Online Account? You Still Have Options

If you cannot access the online system, you can request certain transcripts by mail.

The IRS indicates that mailed transcripts generally arrive within 5 to 10 calendar days at the address the agency has on file. Taxpayers can also request a transcript using the IRS automated telephone service.

Businesses and individuals seeking certain other transcripts may need to use Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return.

A Useful Tool Before You Call Your CPA

Your IRS Online Account doesn't replace a CPA, but it can make working with one much easier.

Before contacting us about an IRS balance, missing estimated payment, tax notice, prior-year filing, or payment issue, logging into your account may help you quickly locate the information we need.

In particular, consider checking your account when you need to:

• Confirm estimated tax payments
• Determine your current IRS balance
• Download a tax transcript
• Locate missing W-2 or 1099 information
• Review an IRS notice
• Verify payment history
• Check refund or amended-return status
• Approve your CPA's authorization request

Need Help Understanding Your IRS Account?

Seeing information in your IRS account doesn't necessarily mean it's easy to understand.

A balance may involve multiple tax years. A payment may have been applied incorrectly. An IRS notice may require a response. A transcript may show information that doesn't match the return you filed.

That's where we can help.

If you have questions about an IRS balance, notice, missing payment, transcript, payment plan, or other federal tax matter, contact our office. We can help you understand what the IRS records mean and determine the appropriate next step.

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