Elaine Jean Culture 02.22.2022 19:Feb PM EST

No More IRS Facial Recognition After ID.me Privacy Concerns Backlash; Here's How to Sign Up Without Using Biometric Data

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced on Monday, Feb. 21, that it would no longer require taxpayers to take a video selfie or provide other biometric data when verifying identity and signing up.

This move came after the backlash over using ID.me's facial recognition services to verify the identities of the users. Initially, users were required to upload "video selfies."

However, the IRS login will still require taxpayers to use ID.me to register for an online IRS account. Instead of a video selfie, they will be required to first complete a live online interview with an ID.me representative before completing the registration process.

IRS Login

In November 2021, the IRS announced that taxpayers wishing to access most IRS services online would be required to register through ID.me and upload a video selfie.

As reported by Cnet, the previous procedure of recording video selfies received massive backlash from the public due to privacy issues over ID.me, a third-party facial-recognition service used to verify identities on the IRS website.

On Feb. 21, the IRS announced that taxpayers could register their online accounts without a video selfie or providing other biometric data. However, the agency still requires them to use ID.me for verifying their identities through a live interview with an ID.me agent in opening their IRS online account.

The facial recognition service provider stated that the live interview would be recorded and deleted after 30 days.

Taxpayers opting to verify their identities through a live interview by an ID.me agent will have to wait 5 to 10 minutes to speak with the next available agent as required for their registration process.

Also, they need to show some documents and answer "a few questions" to confirm their identity.

At least two main identification documents are needed to work with an agent, and the current wait time for a live agent is about an hour.

Internal Revenue Service's Setback

Groups such as activist organizations and lawmakers from both parties expressed concern, claiming that using video "selfies" to verify accounts constituted an invasion of personal privacy.

According to New York Times, ID.me and IRS have both have a signed contract of $86 million. Despite the concern for face recognition, the company will still continue to work with the IRS.

The option to have images of their faces scanned to gain access to their accounts remains available to taxpayers, but those who do not wish to use facial recognition technology can verify their identity during a live, virtual interview with an ID.me representative.

The Internal Revenue Service's use of facial recognition has caused a setback to the agency. As reported, the IRS is also behind schedule in processing more than 20 million 2020 tax returns, is dealing with staffing shortages, and is running low on funds.

IRS Registration Requirements

IRS registration requirements for the online accounts should take no more than 15 to 30 minutes. Here are the requirements needed in creating an IRS online account, as stated by Cnet.

A valid email address
A user's preferred mailing address
A valid ID, such as a U.S. passport, passport card, or driver's license
A user's Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number
A mobile phone that is registered to the taxpayer.
It is possible to request an activation code by mail if users do not have access to a mobile phone or do not wish to connect their phone number to their IRS account. Although it will take around 10 days for the code to arrive, it will be good for 30 days.

How to Create an IRS Online Account?

IRS registration can be done in numerous ways. The easiest IRS registration would be through signing up at the website "Sign In or Create a New Account" button.

After signing up, the page will redirect, and users will be taken to a page asking them to sign up for an ID.me account. ID.me is a third-party identification service that is now required for all new IRS accounts.

Here are the following steps to create an online IRS account:

After creating our account, enter your email address and set a password.
Then, confirm our email address.
After the confirmation, enable multifactor authentication to a user's device.
Next would be the ID verification. Users can choose Video Chat with an ID.me agent.
Upload a photo of an ID.
Users should wait for an hour or two for a video chat interview.
After the interview, users can now enter their social security number.
Lastly, users can now authorize IRS access to ID.me verification.