Four Smart Ways to Simplify Your IRS Experience
Managing your federal tax information does not have to be limited to filing season. A few proactive steps can help protect your identity, make it easier to access important records, and reduce potential delays when receiving refunds or making tax payments.
1. Consider Obtaining an IRS Identity Protection PIN
An Identity Protection PIN, commonly called an IP PIN, is a six-digit number that helps prevent someone else from filing a federal tax return using your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
Anyone who can verify their identity may voluntarily obtain an IP PIN, even if they have not previously experienced tax-related identity theft. Parents and legal guardians may also request an IP PIN for eligible dependents.
If you choose continuous enrollment, a new IP PIN will be generated for you each calendar year. The IRS also offers a one-time enrollment option for taxpayers who only want an IP PIN for the current calendar year. The number must be provided to your tax preparer and included on your federal tax return. Keep it secure and do not share it with anyone other than a trusted tax professional. The IRS will not call, email, or text you to request your IP PIN.
The fastest way to request or retrieve an IP PIN is through an IRS Online Account.
2. Use Direct Deposit for Federal Tax Refunds
The IRS is phasing out paper refund checks for individual taxpayers and transitioning federal refunds to electronic payments. Direct deposit is generally the fastest and most secure way to receive a federal tax refund. Paper checks are also more likely to be lost, stolen, altered, returned as undeliverable, or delayed.
Be sure to carefully verify your bank routing number, account number, and account ownership before filing your return. If a financial institution rejects a direct deposit because the information does not match, the IRS may need additional information before the refund can be issued, which can significantly delay the refund.
Taxpayers should avoid directing a refund to an account owned by someone other than themselves or their spouse. Before filing, confirm that the account is open, accepts electronic deposits, and is in the taxpayer’s name, the spouse’s name, or both if it is a joint account.
3. Create an IRS Online Account
An IRS Online Account provides secure access to a variety of federal tax information and services. Through an account, individual taxpayers may be able to:
- View federal tax balances by year;
- Access tax transcripts and selected tax records;
- View digital copies of certain IRS notices;
- Check refund and amended-return status;
- Make and schedule payments;
- Review up to five years of payment history;
- Apply for or manage certain payment plans;
- Request or retrieve an IP PIN; and
- Approve certain authorizations from a tax professional.
Having an account established before a question or tax issue arises can make it easier to obtain records, confirm payments, and respond promptly to IRS correspondence.
For security, access your account by navigating directly to IRS.gov. Avoid signing in through links received in unexpected emails or text messages.
4. Make Federal Tax Payments Electronically
Electronic payments can provide faster confirmation and better recordkeeping than mailing a check. Taxpayers have several options depending on whether they want to create an account.
Pay Without an IRS Online Account
IRS Direct Pay allows individuals to make federal tax payments directly from a checking or savings account. The service is free, secure, and does not require an IRS Online Account. It may be used for estimated tax payments, balances due, extension payments, and certain other individual income tax payments.
Taxpayers can receive confirmation of the payment and may generally change or cancel a scheduled payment until two business days before the payment date.
Pay Through an IRS Online Account
Taxpayers who sign in to their IRS Online Account can make same-day payments, schedule payments up to 365 days in advance, view pending payments, and review prior payment history. This can be particularly helpful for confirming that estimated tax payments were properly credited.
Businesses may continue to use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, or EFTPS, for federal tax payments. For individual taxpayers, EFTPS is being phased out. New individual enrollments ended October 17, 2025. Individuals who are already enrolled may continue using EFTPS during the transition period, but Treasury is directing individual taxpayers to transition to IRS Direct Pay or an IRS Online Account.
Keep Your Confirmation Records
Regardless of the payment method selected, retain the confirmation number or receipt with your tax records. Before submitting a payment, carefully verify the:
- Taxpayer name and identification number;
- Payment amount;
- Tax form;
- Tax year or period; and
- Scheduled payment date.
Selecting the wrong tax year or payment type can cause the payment to be applied incorrectly and may require additional time to resolve.
Taking these steps can help protect your identity, provide easier access to federal tax information, reduce potential refund delays, and create a clearer record of your tax payments. Before submitting a payment, carefully verify the payment amount, tax year, payment type, and taxpayer information. If you are uncertain how a payment should be designated or applied, please contact your DBMCPA advisor.
