ID.me and IRS account

[anitya]

I have an IRS account for many years.  I used to log into my account and make a nominal payment towards extension form 4868 (for extending the Form 1040 filing deadline without filing a separate extension form 4868 or give my info to Free File fillable forms).  Today when I tried to access my IRS account, I was directed to some site ID.me which the IRS says will verify my identity.  The process was elaborate, and I decided against it.  I just payed the amount as a guest and the transaction was purely on IRS.Gov but you do need to give your social security number three times and DOB to pay as a guest.   If you pay through your account, your DOB and SS number will not be asked.  


Here is some info from the IRS website re id.me -

"The IRS uses ID.me, a technology provider, to provide identity verification and sign-in services. If you have an ID.me account from a state government or federal agency, you can sign in without verifying your identity again. If you’re a new user, you’ll have to create a new ID.me account.

To verify your identity with ID.me, you’ll need to provide a photo of an identity document such as a driver’s license, state ID or passport.

You'll also need to take a selfie or choose to video chat with a live ID.me agent. If you need help verifying your identity or to submit a support ticket, you can visit the ID.me IRS Help Site."


I coiled at the thought of giving my personal identifying information to one more organization and be more vulnerable to hacks. 

If you guys have gone through ID.me, please share your experience.

Also, please share how you apply for extension of Form 1040 filing deadline.

[nobhead]

I have used the IRS site directly for years to pay estimated taxes and income tax due too. This year it asked me to use one of their secure login services. I used Login.gov since I already have an account there (which is required to do business with the military base here).

It is a pain because it requires 2 factor authorization. Then it sends you back to EFTPS.gov which requires your existing code and password to login to EFTPS.gov.

I do not have any experience applying for an extension to file Form 1040.

[anovice]

Early in 2024, I went through ID.me to get a "Record of Account Transcript" for 2021. Frankly, I was intimated because I am technologically challenged. While I do not remember much, the process of setting up my account and getting the transcript was rather smooth and painless. I used my passport for photo ID, which I was surprised worked, because today (selfie), I look nothing like the picture in my passport. Because this went through, I did not need to video chat with an agent. Sorry that I can't offer any more.

[yogibearbull]

Paper filing of Form 4868 is still an option,
www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4868.pdf

"Making Payments Electronically

You can pay online with a direct transfer from your bank account using Direct Pay; the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System; a
digital wallet such as Click to Pay, PayPal, and Venmo; cash; or a debit or credit card. You can also pay by phone using the Electronic
Federal Tax Payment System or by debit or credit card. For more information, go to www.irs.gov/Payments.

Confirmation number. You’ll receive a confirmation number when you pay online or by phone. Enter the confirmation number below
and keep it for your records. Enter confirmation number here..........................

Note: If you use an electronic payment method and indicate the payment is for an extension, you don’t have to file Form 4868. You
should pay the entire estimated tax owed or you could be subject to a penalty. Your extension will be automatically processed when you
pay part or all of your estimated income tax electronically"

I think that IRS Direct Pay should still allow payments without login. I have payment due and will soon find out for sure. Login is required if need some prior info at the IRS site.
www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay

[anitya]

yogibearbull ,

I used Direct Pay to pay $10 just to get the extension.  I used my account in prior years so I do not have to enter SS# and DOB.  Entering this info on IRS website is not a problem except if I on error enter that info on a website masquerading as IRS.GOV, I will get into trouble.  So, I always try to avoid entering those two pieces of info if possible.

[habsui]

For our irs.gov account, I switched to id.me for login more than a year ago.  Works just fine.

For estimated taxes, I go directly to eftps.gov (different login, login.gov).

[yogibearbull]

IRS Direct Pay works as before - no login required, but only some simple Q&A based on a past return for ID. I just paid my 2023 tax due.

[anitya]

Apr 2, 2024 19:49:20 GMT yogibearbull said:

IRS Direct Pay works as before - no login required, but only some simple Q&A based on a past return for ID. I just paid my 2023 tax due.

You did have to enter your SS# on two different screens and DOB once.  Right?

I have been rolling a lot of refund from year to year as I did not think interest rates will stay this high for this long and also I did not want to worry about underpayment of estimated taxes.  In any case, whatever interest I earn in my taxable account is subject to tax and so the post tax loss of interest for not asking for a refund is no more than $1K and so, I took the easy way out (and thus my nominal payment to get an extension).