On its website, the IRS has posted answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Online Account. Online Account provides individuals with online access to their tax account information.
Background.
Online Account is an online portal that allows individual taxpayers to access their tax account information (including tax balances and payment history); set up payment plans for outstanding balances; and get copies of their tax transcripts. ( IRS.gov/View Your Account Information )
FAQs about Online Account.
The IRS has posted, on its website, FAQs about Online Account. These FAQs are divided into the following categories: general information, account access, account balances, payment options/activity, tax records and notices and letters.
General information. IRS customer service personnel can’t access a taxpayer’s Online Account, although they may have other access to the same information provided by the taxpayer’s Online Account.
Currently, Online Account isn’t available for businesses or for individuals who have an international address (i.e., an address outside the U.S.)
An individual can update their email address using Online Account. However, to change their mailing address, a taxpayer must submit to the IRS a paper Form 8822, Change of Address.
Account access. If an individual can’t log into Online Account, or if Online Account is unavailable, an individual can access their account information by requesting an account transcript using the IRS Get Transcript tool.
Account balances. Individuals can use Online Account to view their current income tax balances, as well as balances due for
- Additional tax on qualified plans;
- Shared responsibility payments; and
- Assessed Trust Fund Recovery penalties.
Payment options/activity. Online Account allows individuals to view their tax payment activity and, for those who have one, the details of a payment plan. Individuals with payment plans may also use Online Account to make certain changes to their payment plans, including reinstating a defaulted plan.
An individual’s Online Account will also contain, on the Payment Options tab, links to IRS Direct Pay and other payment options, so individuals can make tax payments. Payments made using IRS Direct Pay (or other payment options) are reflected on the Payment Activity tab of the individual’s online account.
Tax records. In addition to using Online Account to obtain tax transcripts and to access their tax account information, an individual can use Online Account to obtain information about any Economic Impact Payment the IRS issued to the individual.
Notices and letters. An individual may use Online Account to view and download a limited number of IRS notices. Any notices posted to the individual’s online account will also be mailed to the individual.
To continue your research on obtaining transcripts of tax returns, see FTC 2d/FIN ¶ S-6409.
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