From the U.S. Government Accountability Office, www.gao.gov

Transcript for: 
How Could IRS Improve its Identity-Proofing Program?

Description: 

IRS offers more than 30 online tools or applications to help taxpayers
meet their tax obligations. To guard against fraud and abuse, IRS
requires users to prove their identities when accessing these
applications.  This process can require users to divulge sensitive
personal information about themselves.
 
GAO reviewed IRS’s identity-proofing program to assess how IRS monitors
and oversees the performance of its identity-proofing program.  GAO made
four recommendations to improve the program.


Related GAO Works: 
TAXPAYER IDENTITY VERIFICATION
IRS Should Strengthen Oversight of Its
Identity-Proofing Program



GAO-25-107273.  

Released: June 2025

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IRS provides online services  

that help users understand  

and meet their tax obligations. 

To help prevent fraud and abuse,  

users need to verify they are who they say they are.  

IRS’ identity proofing program relies on private, credential service
providers to verify taxpayers’ identities by collecting and assessing
sensitive personal information. 

IRS oversees how well the program serves taxpayers and protects the
sensitive personal information collected. 

GAO found ways IRS could improve its oversight of the identity proofing
program. 
   
 
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For more info, check out our report GAO-25-107273 at: GAO.gov