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  5. Verifying my identity for the IRS

Verifying for the IRS with a Video Chat Agent

As an IRS technology provider, ID.me is here to help verify your identity.

If you already have an existing ID.me or IRS account, you can access IRS tools and applications by selecting Sign in with ID.me or Sign in with an existing IRS username, and completing additional steps after signing in.

If you are verifying your identity with ID.me for the first time, you can choose Self-Service or a live call with a Video Chat Agent. This article explains how to verify for the IRS with a Video Chat Agent.

Before you begin

  • The verification process will take approximately 5-10 minutes, plus the wait time for the next available Video Chat Agent.
  • No biometric data will be collected when you verify using this option.

What you need to verify

To verify your identity with a Video Chat Agent, you will need:

  • A mobile phone that has a camera or a computer with a webcam
  • Email address
  • Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, passport card)
  • Social Security number
Tip: Follow our best practices to take photos of your documents.

1. Sign in to the IRS

To get started verifying for the IRS:

  1. Go to the IRS application login page.
  2. Select Sign in with ID.me.

If you've never set up an account with ID.me, select Create account and confirm your email to begin. Do not create more than one account.

Note: If you have an existing IRS account (eAuth), you can also log in with your IRS username and password.

Sign_in_or_create_new_account.png

Set up multi-factor authentication

If you are creating a new account, you must set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) to continue with your verification. For instructions to set up MFA, select one of the following MFA methods:

Set_up_MFA.gif

After you set up MFA, continue to Verify on a video call below.

2. Verify on a video call

After you sign in to your ID.me account, choose to verify your identity on a video call. To verify your identity on a video call:

  1. When choosing how to verify your identity, select Video Chat Agent.
    Choose_how_to_verify.png
  2. Select Get Started, accept ID.me's consent to collect personally identifiable information, then select Continue.
    Consent_screen.png
  3. Follow the prompts to upload your US Driver’s License or State Photo ID, or select Change document to upload a Passport or Passport Card. You can take a photo of the document with your smartphone or upload one from your computer.
    Take_photos_of_documents.png
  4. Enter your remaining information, including your Social Security number, then select Continue. Learn why ID.me asks for your Social Security number.
    Verify_your_identity_SSN.png

Connect with a Video Chat Agent

During the call with your Video Chat Agent, the agent will compare you to your uploaded identity document. To connect to a live call:

  1. After your information is confirmed, you will be prompted to join a video call. Select Join video call to proceed.
    Join_TR_Lite_video_call.png
  2. Wait for the next Video Chat Agent to be available.
    Waiting_for_video_call.png
  3. Consent to having your call recorded, then select Join video call when prompted. You may request that ID.me delete your Biometric Data at any time.
    Are_you_ready_to_join_video_call.pngTime_to_join_video_call.png
  4. Stay on the call as the Video Chat Agent compares you to your identity document photo. This should only take a moment.

I couldn’t verify my identity

If there are any issues verifying you with your documents on the short video call, you may need to submit additional identity documents on an extended video call. To learn more, visit Verifying your identity on a video call.

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