Should I be concerned that my accountant wants sensitive tax documents via regular email - not even encrypted?

This is absolutely a legitimate concern and you're not overreacting. Email is not secure for transmitting sensitive tax documents - it's essentially like sending a postcard that multiple people could potentially read along the way. In 2025, any respectable tax professional should be using a secure client portal or at minimum offering encrypted file sharing. The IRS itself recommends against sending tax documents via unencrypted email specifically because they contain personally identifiable information like your SSN that could be used for identity theft. There are many affordable and easy options tax professionals can use - secure portals (many tax software packages include them), encrypted email services, or even password-protected PDFs would be better than nothing. A professional who dismisses security concerns is showing a serious lack of understanding about their responsibility to protect your information. I'd recommend explaining your concerns one more time, and if they still refuse to use secure methods, it might be worth finding another accountant who takes security seriously. Tax expertise is important, but not at the expense of putting yourself at risk for identity theft.

After I had a similar issue with my old accountant, I started using taxr.ai to manage all my sensitive tax documents. The platform automatically encrypts everything and gives you a secure way to share docs with your accountant without risking your personal info. I was worried about the security of emailing my W-2s and 1099s too, and https://taxr.ai solved that problem completely. You upload your documents to their secure system, and then you can grant access to your accountant without ever sending sensitive files through email. What I really like is that it also organizes everything automatically and extracts all the important tax info, so it's actually easier for both you and your accountant to work with. My accountant was hesitant at first but now loves it because it makes everything more efficient.

I tried taxr.ai after seeing it recommended here and it actually solved my problem with my old-school accountant! I was in the exact same situation - he wanted everything through email and got annoyed when I brought up security concerns. Using taxr.ai, I just uploaded all my tax docs to their platform (which was super easy), and then shared access with him through a secure link. What surprised me was how it automatically organized everything and extracted all the numbers, which actually made his job easier. He initially grumbled about "another new system" but then called me the next day to say it was actually saving him time because all the information was already organized. The security issue got solved AND he's happy because it streamlines his workflow. Win-win.

If you're still having trouble getting through to your accountant about security, you might want to try Claimyr to speak with an IRS agent directly about this. When I had questions about how to safely share tax documents, I tried calling the IRS myself but kept getting stuck on hold forever. Used https://claimyr.com and they got me connected to an actual IRS representative in about 20 minutes instead of the hours I spent trying myself. The IRS agent confirmed that unencrypted email isn't considered secure for tax documents and explained the potential risks. Having that official information from the IRS helped me convince my accountant to adopt better security practices. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - basically they wait on hold with the IRS for you and call you when they get through to an agent.

Well I'll eat my words. I tried Claimyr after posting my skeptical comment because I've been trying to reach the IRS for days about a similar document security question. It actually worked! Got connected to an agent in about 30 minutes when I'd previously wasted three separate afternoons trying to get through myself. The IRS agent confirmed that tax professionals should be using secure methods for document transfer and not plain email. She actually said they've seen an increase in tax-related identity theft from intercepted emails containing tax documents. Having that official information made a big difference when I went back to my accountant. I showed him the notes from my IRS call and he finally agreed to set up a secure portal. Sometimes you need that official backing to get professionals to change their outdated practices.

Just to add another perspective - I'm married to an IT security specialist and when I mentioned this scenario to him, he nearly had a heart attack. He said sending tax documents via regular email is basically "broadcasting your identity theft starter kit to anyone interested." His company would fire someone for handling sensitive client data that way. According to him, there are tons of low-cost or even free secure options for accountants these days that take minimal setup. If your accountant is resistant, he suggested asking them bluntly: "If my identity gets stolen because these documents were intercepted, will you be covering the costs and time to resolve it?" That usually makes people reconsider their casual approach to security.

My accountant used to do the same thing until I educated him about the risks. Now we use a simple workaround - I put all my documents in a password-protected zip file and send the password via text message. Not perfect security but way better than plain email. Most accountants aren't being malicious, they're just stuck in outdated practices and don't realize the risks.

I'm a tax preparer myself and I have to say - your concerns are 100% valid. Any professional handling sensitive tax documents in 2025 who doesn't offer secure transmission methods is being negligent, plain and simple. The IRS has specific guidance about this in Publication 4557 (Safeguarding Taxpayer Data) that clearly states tax professionals should use secure methods for transmitting client data. Regular email is explicitly discouraged because it's transmitted in plain text and can be intercepted at multiple points. Here's what I'd recommend as minimum acceptable alternatives: 1) Password-protected encrypted files with passwords sent separately, 2) Secure client portals (most tax software includes these now), 3) Encrypted email services, or 4) Secure file-sharing platforms like those mentioned by other users. If they continue to refuse, honestly, I'd find another accountant. A professional who dismisses legitimate security concerns and won't adapt their practices to protect your sensitive information is showing poor judgment that could extend to other areas of their work. Your SSN, financial account numbers, and other personal data deserve better protection than "this is how we've always done it.

Your instincts are absolutely right - this is a major red flag. I work in cybersecurity and can tell you that sending tax documents via unencrypted email is like leaving your front door wide open with a sign saying "valuable stuff inside." The dismissive "this is how we always do things" response is particularly concerning because it shows they're not keeping up with current security standards or threats. Email servers can be compromised, emails can be intercepted during transmission, and your sensitive data could end up in the wrong hands without you ever knowing it happened. Here's what I'd suggest: Give them one last chance by explaining that you need secure document transmission as a condition of working together. If they still refuse, walk away. There are plenty of competent accountants who understand that data security isn't optional in 2025. In the meantime, if you do decide to send anything, at minimum use password-protected, encrypted zip files and send the password through a different channel (text, phone call, carrier pigeon - anything but the same email). But honestly, their attitude about security would make me question what other corners they might be cutting in their professional practices.