Client’s Guide to Setting Up ID.me and IRS Online Accounts

With the IRS’s move to eliminate paper checks and convert to all electronic transactions, it has become necessary for taxpayers to set up online accounts for filing purposes. The following Client’s Guide provides step-by-step instructions for setting up accounts with the IRS and Illinois Department of Revenue, as well as ID.me, a third-party identification system used by the IRS and other government entities.

Instructions for setting up an ID.me Account:
1. Set up your ID.me account by visiting www.id.me and clicking Sign Up. Enter your email address, create a strong password (8+ characters, including a number, uppercase letter, and symbol), and confirm your email through the link sent to your inbox.
2. Next, set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) using text message, phone call, or an authenticator app for added security.
3. Provide your legal name, date of birth, address, and Social Security number (or last 4 digits). Upload a clear photo of a government-issued ID such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport. You may also need to take a selfie to confirm your identity.
4. Once submitted, ID.me typically verifies your information instantly or within a few minutes. If your documents can’t be verified automatically, you can join a secure video call with a Trusted Referee to finish the process. (Use one of the video call options on the ID.me Help Center.)

Instructions for setting up an IRS Online INDIVIDUAL Account:
What you’ll need before you start:
– A valid email address that you can access
– Your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
– Your most recently filed tax return (for identifying information from it)
– A photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport)
– A phone (mobile preferred) or ability to receive a code by mail
– If applicable, access to your bank account info (for verification)

1. Go to the IRS website: www.irs.gov/payments/online-account-for-individuals
2. Click “Sign in or create an online account”
3. Under the new user section, choose Create account. This will take you to the identity verification process.
4. You’ll be asked to use ID.me (a third party provider) to verify your identity. If you already have an ID.me account (with another agency or service), you may use that. Otherwise, you’ll need to create a new one – see ID.me setup instructions above.
5. Once identity verification is successful, finish setting up your account:
– Create a username/email and password (for the IRS-account / ID.me login)
– Set up two-factor authentication (often involves verifying your phone number) so you can receive a security code.
6. After you’re logged in, you can access features like:
– Viewing your tax account balance and payment history
– Making payments or setting up payment plans if needed.
– Viewing tax transcripts, notices, your return’s key data like adjusted gross income
Payments can be made the same day they are due.

Instructions for setting up an IRS Online BUSINESS Account: (not yet available for Trust accounts)
1. Go to the IRS Business Tax Account page. www.irs.gov/businesses/business-tax-account
2. Sign in or create an account using www.id.me see ID.me setup instructions above
3. Enter business details: EIN, legal name, and address (must match IRS records).
4. Verify using recent tax return info (e.g., Form 1065, 1120, 1120-S, or Schedule C/F).
5. Designate a “Designated Official” if you’re a Corporation or S-Corp (an authorized officer or employee). The IRS may mail a PIN to confirm authority.
6. Wait for confirmation (5-10 business days if PIN is mailed).
7. Log in to view balances, notices, transcripts, and make payments.
Payments can be made the same day they are due.

Instructions for setting up an IRS Online INDIVIDUAL EFTPS Account: (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System)
Go to the official IRS EFTPS site: www.eftps.gov/eftps/
2. Click Enroll.
3. Choose Individual. Enter your details: Social Security Number, Name (exactly as on your IRS records, address, bank account information (routing and account numbers) for payments
4. Create a 4-digit PIN and provide contact information.
5. Submit enrollment.
6. Wait for mail confirmation letter with your EFTPS PIN (5-7 business days).
7. Activate your account: Return to www.eftps.gov, sign in with ID.me, see ID.me setup instructions above, then login in with SSN, PIN and bank info.
8. Set up password for future logins.
9. After activation, you make, schedule or cancel federal tax payments online 24/7.
Payments must be scheduled by 8PM ET the day BEFORE they are due.

Instructions for setting up an IRS Online BUSINESS or TRUST EFTPS Account:
1. Go to EFTPS.gov and click Enroll. www.eftps.gov
2. Select Business as the entity type. (a trust is treated as a business entity)
3. Enter your EIN, business or trust name and address (must match IRS records), contact info and bank accounts details (routing and account number, checking or savings).
4. Submit the form and accept the agreement.
5. Wait 5-7 business days to receive your PIN by mail.
6. Once PIN arrives, return to www.eftps.gov, choose Login, sign in with ID.me, see ID.me setup instructions above, then enter EIN, PIN and set a secure password.
7. Log in to view balances, notices, transcripts, and make payments.
Payments must be scheduled by 8PM ET the day BEFORE they are due.

Instructions for setting up an MyTax Illinois INDIVIDUAL Account:
1. Illinois requires you to have a “Letter ID” to set up an online account. Go to MyTax Illinois, https://mytax.illinois.gov/, and choose “Request a Letter ID” under the “Individuals” section.
2. Enter either a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number and if recognized by IL, enter either your IL-PIN, prior year adjusted gross income, IL driver’s License number or IL state ID number and choose Submit.
3. Your Letter ID is mailed within 7-10 business days to the address that Illinois currently has on file for you.
4. Once the Letter ID arrives, return to https://mytax.illinois.gov/ and choose Sign Up.
5. Choose Next and enter your SSN or ITIN number and provide your Letter ID and either your IL-PIN or prior year adjusted gross income and your contact information. Choose a username and strong password, secret question and answer, confirm your email and choose Submit.
6. You will receive a verification email.
7. Return to https://mytax.illinois.gov/ and login with your new credentials. To make payments, choose “View more account options” from your main Individual Income Tax account screen.
Payments can be made the same day they are due.

Instructions for setting up an MyTax Illinois BUSINESS or TRUST Account:
A TRUST must be registered with the Illinois Dept. of Revenue (REG-1) in order to set up a MyTax IL account.
1. Go to MyTax Illinois, https://mytax.illinois.gov/, and choose Sign Up.
2. Choose Next and enter your FEIN or Sales Tax Account Identification Number and, if recognized by IL, continue with their validation by entering the Social Security number of an officer, partner, member or responsible party per your business registration with Illinois on their REG-1, REG-1-O or REG-1-R forms.
3. Enter your contact information, choose a username and strong password, secret question and answer, confirm your email address and choose Submit.
4. Once you receive a verification email, return to https://mytax.illinois.gov/ and login with your new credentials.
5. You can add all of your Illinois tax returns associated to your business account – business income tax return, sales and use tax returns, etc. under your profile section – “add access to an existing tax account.”
6. Choose “View more account options” under the tax section you wish to make a payment. Estimated payments can be made or choose to “View Account Periods.” Once you choose a tax period, the option to “Make a Payment” will display.
Payments can be made the same day they are due.