2021 Child Tax Credit and Advance Child Tax Credit Payments — Topic K: Verifying Your Identity to Manage your Payments
Q K1. Why am I required to authenticate my identity? (added June 22, 2021)
A1. The IRS needs to make sure you’re you – and not someone pretending to be you – before we give you access to your sensitive account information. The verification of your identity helps to keep your information safe and prevent fraud and identity theft.
Q K2. How do I authenticate my identity? (added June 22, 2021)
A2. If you are a new user, you must create an ID.me account at the IRS and verify your identity. ID.me is a trusted credential service provider selected to support IRS.gov login services.
ID.me uses the latest in identity verification technology to authenticate your identity quickly and easily. Learn more about ID.me and the IRS verification process at Sign In or Create a New Account.
If you have an existing account with the IRS, use your Secure Access username and password and enter the security code as part of the multi-factor authentication (MFA) process. If you have an existing account with ID.me from a state government or federal agency, you may use your email and password and complete MFA.
Q K3. I’m under 18 years old and was told I can’t authenticate; how do I manage my payments? (added June 22, 2021)
A3. ID.me authenticates individuals 18 years old and older. If you are 17 or younger, call the telephone number on your IRS letter should you opt to unenroll from monthly payments or use the online eligibility tool.
Q K4. Will ID.me retain my information? (added June 22, 2021)
A4. Yes, as a credential service provider certified against federal standards, ID.me is required to store the individual’s information. ID.me protects all sensitive data with stronger encryption than many financial institutions.