Secure Access: How to Register for Certain Online Self-Help Tools

Enter the address listed on your most recently filed tax return. Make sure the address you enter exactly matches how it appears on your tax return.

• If you recently moved:
  Enter the address from the last return you filed, even if it’s not your current address. We only use this address for identity verification.
• If you just filed a tax return with a new address:
  Try entering your old address instead. Newly submitted returns may take several weeks to process.
• If you recently filed your first tax return:
  Select the radio button labeled 'I have not filed a tax return in the past seven years' from the ‘Filing Status’ options, if available.

• If you are known and addressed by a single legal name or mononym:
  Please enter a hyphen (-) in the first name field and your name in the last name field. If your legal document lists “FNU”, First Name Unknown, as your first name you may need to enter “FNU” instead of “-” as your first name.

Format PO Box, foreign and military addresses as follows:

• PO Box
  In the ‘Address Line 1’ field, enter ‘PO Box’ without periods and the number.
• Foreign Address
  Enter your city, county, province or other jurisdiction in the ‘City’ field. There’s no field for Zip/Postal code. If you have an international mailing address, the only IRS.gov tool for which you can register is the Online Payment Agreement and you must request an activation code by postal mail. Generally, taxpayers or tax professionals with international addresses will be unable to register for Get Transcript Online, View Your Tax Account, Get an Identity Protection PIN or e-Services tools for tax professionals.
• Military Address
  Enter APO, FPO or DPO in the ‘City’ field. Select AA, AE, or AP from the ‘State/U.S. Territory’ field.

We use Experian, a credit reporting company, to validate your financial account number. If you have issues:

• Make sure you enter the correct financial account number.
• Try entering a different account type:
  • Credit card – last 8 digits (don’t use American Express, debit or corporate cards)
  • Student loan– (Enter the student loan account number provided on your statement. The account number may contain both numbers and letters. Do not include any symbols.) Additionally, we can't verify student loans issued by Nelnet.
  • Home mortgage loan
  • Home equity (second mortgage) loan
  • Home equity line of credit (HELOC)
  • Auto loan

We may not be able to verify all financial account numbers.

The fastest way to verify your identity is with a mobile phone number associated with your name. The phone must be U.S.-based and text-enabled. We will send a one-time activation code to your mobile phone number. Once you receive it, you have 10 minutes to use it. Note: we may not be able to verify all mobile phone numbers.

• If you don’t have a U.S.-based mobile phone number associated with your name:
  You can opt to receive an activation code by mail when you register for an online services account. Allow 10 business days for delivery. This one-time code will allow you to create your account, and is valid for 30 days. You can then:
  • Download the IRS2Go mobile app to generate the security code needed each time you log in to your account. IRS2Go is free and available for Android devices, iPhones, iPads and Amazon Fire tablets; or
  • Receive a security code via phone call to a U.S.-based phone number each time you log in
• If your mobile phone is in a family member’s name:
  You can attempt to sign up using mobile phone verification.  If your phone can’t be verified, you may be able to request an activation code by mail.

You can register for online services without a mobile phone:

• Follow the steps to register for an online services account.
• In the step for mobile phone verification, select 'Receive an activation code by postal mail.'
• Allow 10 business days for the code to arrive by mail. The code is valid for 30 days.
• Follow the instructions included with the code to complete registration

This one-time code will allow you to create your account. You can then:

• Download the IRS2Go mobile app to generate the security code needed each time you log in to your account. IRS2Go is free and available for Android devices, iPhones, iPads and Amazon Fire tablets; or
• Receive a security code via phone call to any U.S.-based phone number each time you log in

Each time you log in, we send a security code via text message or phone call. Text messages from IRS Password Service originate from “77958” and message and data rates may apply. Phone calls originate from “202-552-1226.”

• When you receive the code, enter it quickly and accurately.
  • The code is only valid for 10 minutes. You can request a new code from the login screen. Note: you are limited to just a few attempts before you are locked out for 24 hours.
• If you didn’t receive the text with the security code:
  • You may have opted out of receiving messages from IRS password service. Text IN to “77958” to resume service and receive the security code.
  •  Your provider may be experiencing technical issues. Request a code via phone call from the login screen or try again later.

Note: Our call center can’t troubleshoot text message delivery issues.  If you can't get a text message right now, you can get a security code via phone call.

For security reasons, we limit the number of login attempts you can make over a short time period. The security code we send is only valid for 10 minutes.

If your account is locked and you think you can provide the correct information: 

• Wait 24 hours before you log in again.
• Make sure the username, password, and security code you enter are accurate.

Note: Our call center can’t unlock your account.

You can reset your username and password on the login page.

• If you forgot your username: Go to the login page and click ‘Forgot Username’ under the username box.
• If you forgot your password: Go to the login page, enter your username and click ‘Log In.’ On the password page, click ‘Forgot Password.’

You can also re-register by clicking ‘Create Account.’

Note: Our call center can’t help you find your username or reset your password.

Log in to your account and select ‘Profile’ to change your mobile phone number, username or password.

Please note:

• Mobile phone -  If you're unable to log in with your old mobile phone number, you may re-register by selecting ‘Create Account’ and entering a new phone number.
• Username - If you’re a tax professional accessing e-Services, you can’t change your username.
• Password – If you forgot your password, go to the log in page, enter your username and click ‘Log In.’ On the password page, click ‘Forgot Password.’