< Back to IRS

What documents do I need for ID.me verification with the IRS?

Been trying to access my IRS account online and hit this ID.me verification wall. 🤔 • I know I need the letter they sent me • Not sure what else to have ready • Don't want to start the process and get stuck halfway • Heard some horror stories about verification taking forever Anyone gone through this recently? Just want to be prepared before I dive in. This old retiree doesn't have patience for technical hiccups! 😅

Giovanni Martello

I went through this last month and it was similar to setting up online banking, but more thorough. For ID.me verification you'll need: - The letter with your specific code from the IRS - A valid government photo ID (driver's license, passport, etc.) - Your Social Security Number - A smartphone or webcam for the facial recognition part - Possibly utility bills or financial statements if additional verification is required Compared to other verification systems I've used (like for unemployment during the pandemic), this one is actually more straightforward but takes longer. Set aside at least 30 minutes without interruptions. The most time-consuming part is waiting for the video chat if your automated verification doesn't go through.

0 coins

-

Savannah Weiner

This is incredibly helpful! Do they actually require a video chat with everyone, or only if the automated system flags something? I'm concerned about privacy implications of all this verification just to see my own tax information.

0 coins

-

13d

Levi Parker

Thanks for the detailed breakdown! Did you find that the mobile app worked better than the desktop version? Also curious if there's a waiting period after verification before you can access your account?

0 coins

-

11d

Libby Hassan

Appreciate the info. Did you have any issues with the facial recognition part? I've heard some people get stuck in loops trying to get a good enough photo.

0 coins

-

10d

Hunter Hampton

When I did my ID.me verification last year, I hit some roadblocks but eventually got through. Back in 2022, I had to try THREE times because my driver's license was slightly expired. Make sure your ID is current! I've helped several friends through this process since then. The key things they don't make obvious: - You might need access to your email AND phone for dual verification - Some people get routed to a video chat verification if the automated system can't verify you - The lighting for your selfie/video matters A LOT Just be persistent. I nearly gave up but finally got through after trying at a different time of day when their systems weren't as busy.

0 coins

-

Sofia Peña

The ID.me Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) process requires several components to validate your identity through their Identity Assurance Level 2 (IAL2) protocol. The verification letter contains your Unique Access Code (UAC) which is essential for the process. I just completed this last week when facing a tax deadline, and can confirm you'll need: - Primary photo identification - Social Security Number verification - Address verification capability - Biometric comparison data I understand how frustrating these technical barriers can be, especially when you're just trying to access your own information. The process took me about 25 minutes from start to finish.

0 coins

-

Aaron Boston

I attempted ID.me verification on March 15th and got stuck in their verification queue for over 3 hours. Called the IRS on March 16th and waited another 2 hours before giving up. Finally on March 18th, I tried Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) and got through to an IRS agent in about 25 minutes who explained alternative verification options. The agent confirmed I could verify by mail or through their automated phone system instead of the ID.me route, which wasn't clearly explained on their website. So frustrating that they don't make all these options clear from the beginning! Saved me days of headaches trying to get the online verification to work.

0 coins

-

Sophia Carter

Here's a complete step-by-step of what to expect with ID.me verification: 1. Start by gathering ALL your documents: - IRS letter with verification code - Valid government-issued photo ID - Social security card (or know your number) - Smartphone for taking photos/video - Recent utility bill or bank statement 2. Create an ID.me account if you don't have one 3. Enter the verification code from your IRS letter 4. Upload photos of your ID (front and back) 5. Take a selfie for facial recognition matching 6. Verify your phone number and email address 7. If automatic verification fails, prepare for video chat verification I was so relieved when I finally completed this process! The whole thing took about 20 minutes, but I was fully prepared with all documents ready.

0 coins

-

Chloe Zhang

It seems that, in most cases, the ID.me verification process might require a few specific items, though your experience could potentially vary. You'll likely need: - The IRS letter with your unique code, which is probably the most essential item - Some form of government-issued photo identification, such as a driver's license or passport - Possibly your Social Security card, or at minimum, knowledge of your SSN - A device with a camera for the facial recognition portion - Possibly secondary verification documents, which might include utility bills or financial statements It's generally advisable to have more documentation available than you might actually need, just in case the system requests additional verification.

0 coins

-

Brandon Parker

Just went thru this last month! Here's what they don't tell u: - The selfie part is super picky abt lighting - try near a window during daytime - If ur DL address doesn't match ur current address, have mail ready w/ current address - Sometimes their system glitches & u gotta start over (happened 2x for me) - They might ask for credit history Qs if they can't verify u automatically - The video chat wait can be 1hr+ during peak times BTW if u have a freeze on ur credit reports, temporarily lift it before starting. Saved me tons of hassle when I figured that out!

0 coins

-