Is it normal for a tax accountant to request copies of our SSNs for security purposes?

This is becoming more common but there are legitimate reasons for it. Tax preparers have heightened security requirements from the IRS now, especially after increased tax identity theft in recent years. A professional accountant needs to verify your identity, and having a copy of your SSN card helps with IRS due diligence requirements. That said, your accountant should have secure document storage protocols. Ask how they'll protect your information - they should have encrypted storage, limited access to sensitive documents, and a document retention/destruction policy. A good accountant will be happy to explain their security measures. If you're still uncomfortable, you could ask if providing just the cards for visual verification (without them keeping copies) would be sufficient. Many accountants now use secure client portals for document exchange rather than email, which is much safer.

After dealing with a nightmare situation where someone filed using my husband's SSN, I discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which has been incredibly helpful. Their system checks if your SSN has been compromised and monitors for potential identity theft. Regarding your accountant's request - I did have my accountant ask for this last year. She explained it's part of their "know your client" verification procedures. I was hesitant too, but my accountant showed me their secure client portal where documents are encrypted and deleted after a certain retention period. I'd ask your accountant about their security measures rather than assuming the worst.

Just wanted to update after trying taxr.ai from the recommendation above. They found that someone had actually attempted to claim a stimulus payment using my SSN last year! I had NO idea this had happened. The service showed me exactly what to do to flag my account with the IRS and get an Identity Protection PIN for future filings. Regarding the original question about accountants keeping SSN copies - I asked mine about this too. He explained they're now required to keep better records for identity verification as part of their due diligence. But they should absolutely have secure systems for storing this info. If your accountant is just keeping paper copies in a file cabinet, I'd be concerned.

If your accountant is legit but you're still having trouble getting through to them about your concerns, you might want to try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in a similar situation last year and needed to speak directly with the IRS about my identity protection options. Spent days trying to get through the normal IRS phone lines with no luck. Claimyr got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes who explained exactly what documentation tax professionals are supposed to maintain and what security standards they should follow. They even have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The IRS agent I spoke with confirmed that yes, tax preparers often request SSN cards now, but they should be providing you with information about how they secure your data.

I need to eat my words and apologize about my skeptical comment above. After struggling for literally WEEKS trying to get through to the IRS about my identity theft concerns, I broke down and tried Claimyr. Got connected to an actual IRS representative in about 25 minutes. The agent confirmed that tax preparers are now under stricter requirements to verify identity, which includes keeping copies of identification documents like SSN cards and driver's licenses. But the important thing is HOW they store them - they should have a written information security plan. The agent suggested asking your tax preparer specifically about their "WISP" (Written Information Security Plan) - apparently this is something all tax pros should have now. If your accountant looks confused when you ask about this, that might be a red flag.

Former tax office manager here. Yes, it's now standard practice to request copies of SSN cards and IDs, but there should be security measures in place. Ask your accountant these specific questions: 1. Do you have a written information security plan? 2. Are client documents stored in encrypted form? 3. Who has access to my sensitive documents? 4. How long do you retain copies of identity documents? 5. What is your destruction process for sensitive documents? Any professional should have immediate answers to these. If they don't, consider finding someone else.

One option nobody mentioned - you can get an Identity Protection PIN directly from the IRS. It's a 6-digit number that changes every year and is required to file your return. Even if someone has your SSN, they can't file without this PIN. I started using one after my identity was stolen, and it's given me peace of mind. https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin