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

As someone who works in cybersecurity, I'd recommend being cautious but not paranoid. The request for SSN card copies is indeed becoming standard due to IRS regulations, but here's what you should verify: 1. Your accountant should be able to show you their IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) - this confirms they're registered with the IRS. 2. Ask if they're enrolled with the IRS (Enrolled Agent) or if they're a CPA. These credentials come with stricter security requirements. 3. They should have professional liability insurance that covers data breaches. 4. Request to see their client engagement letter - it should outline how they handle sensitive information. The key red flag would be if they can't answer basic questions about their security practices or seem irritated when you ask. A legitimate professional will understand your concerns and be transparent about their processes. Also, consider that while giving copies feels risky, having your taxes prepared incorrectly or by someone who isn't following proper verification procedures could create bigger problems with the IRS later.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm glad I'm not the only one who was initially concerned about this request. Based on all the advice here, I scheduled a follow-up meeting with my tax preparer to ask about her security protocols. She was actually very understanding about my concerns and walked me through her entire process. She showed me her PTIN registration, explained that she's a CPA with professional liability insurance, and demonstrated their encrypted client portal system. She also gave me a copy of their written information security plan and explained their document retention and destruction policies. What really put me at ease was when she mentioned that the IRS has been conducting more audits of tax preparers lately, specifically checking that they're following proper identity verification procedures. She said the SSN card copies are part of her due diligence to avoid getting in trouble with the IRS for inadequate client verification. I also took the advice about getting an Identity Protection PIN directly from the IRS - just completed that process online yesterday. It was surprisingly straightforward and gives me extra peace of mind. Thanks everyone for the balanced perspective and practical advice. Sometimes what seems suspicious at first is actually just professionals adapting to new security requirements!

This is such a timely discussion! I'm a new community member but have been dealing with a similar situation. My long-time tax preparer recently retired and I'm vetting a new one who's also requesting SSN card copies. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly educational. I had no idea about the Written Information Security Plan requirement or that I could proactively get an Identity Protection PIN. The questions that @Noland Curtis provided are exactly what I needed - I'm definitely going to ask about encryption, access controls, and document destruction policies. One thing I'm curious about - for those who've switched to using secure client portals with their tax preparers, have you noticed any difference in how quickly your returns get processed? I'm wondering if the enhanced security measures actually help streamline the filing process with the IRS, or if it's just about compliance and protection. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, especially @Reina Salazar for the follow-up about how the conversation with your CPA went. It's reassuring to know that asking these questions is not only acceptable but expected by professional preparers.

As a newcomer to this community, I found this entire discussion incredibly valuable! I'm currently in a similar situation where my tax preparer is requesting SSN card copies for the first time, and I was honestly pretty worried about it. What really stands out to me is how this thread demonstrates the importance of asking the right questions rather than just assuming the worst. The list of security questions that several members provided (@Noland Curtis especially) gives me a clear roadmap for evaluating my preparer's practices. I'm particularly interested in the Identity Protection PIN option that @Diez Ellis mentioned. It seems like such a simple proactive step that could prevent a lot of headaches down the road. The fact that anyone can request one now, not just previous identity theft victims, is something I definitely didn't know. One follow-up question for the community: for those who have implemented multiple layers of protection (secure portals, Identity Protection PINs, document password protection), do you feel like it's made tax season less stressful overall? I'm trying to decide how comprehensive to get with these security measures. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical, balanced discussion that helps people make informed decisions about their financial security!

As someone new to this community, I want to thank everyone for this incredibly thorough discussion! I'm actually dealing with the exact same situation right now - my tax preparer just asked for SSN card copies for the first time, and I was really unsure about it. What I find most helpful about this thread is how it moved from initial skepticism to practical solutions. The security questions that @Noland Curtis provided are going to be my starting point when I meet with my preparer next week. I especially appreciate how @Reina Salazar followed up to share how her conversation went - it really shows that these concerns can be addressed professionally. I'm definitely going to look into getting an Identity Protection PIN as well. The fact that it's available proactively now seems like such a smart safeguard, especially given how common tax identity theft has become. One thing that strikes me is how much the tax industry has had to evolve in response to fraud. It sounds like what seemed like unusual requests are actually becoming standard practice to protect both clients and preparers. I'm curious if anyone knows whether these enhanced verification requirements have actually been effective in reducing tax fraud overall? Thanks again for sharing all your experiences - this community is incredibly helpful for navigating these kinds of concerns!

As a newcomer to this community, I have to say this discussion has been incredibly enlightening! I'm currently facing this exact situation - my tax preparer is requesting SSN card copies for the first time, and I was genuinely concerned about whether this was legitimate or a red flag. What I appreciate most about this thread is how it demonstrates the value of asking informed questions rather than making assumptions. The comprehensive list of security questions that several members have shared gives me a clear framework for evaluating my preparer's practices. I'm particularly grateful for the specific points about Written Information Security Plans and professional credentials - these are things I never would have thought to verify. The discussion about Identity Protection PINs has also been eye-opening. I had no idea this was available proactively to anyone, not just identity theft victims. Given how common tax fraud has become, it seems like such a straightforward preventive measure. I'm curious about one aspect that hasn't been fully explored - for those who have gone through this verification process with their preparers, have you noticed any changes in how they communicate about other aspects of your tax situation? I'm wondering if preparers who are more thorough about security documentation also tend to be more detailed in their explanations of tax strategies or potential deductions. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, especially those who provided follow-up updates. This kind of practical, balanced discussion is exactly what makes community forums valuable!