2021 Child Tax Credit and advance Child Tax Credit payments - Topic K: Verifying your identity to view your online account

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.

A2. If you are a new Online Account 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.

A3. ID.me authenticates individuals 18 years old and older. If you need help verifying your identity or to submit a support ticket, you can visit the ID.me IRS Help Site . If you can't verify your identity online, please see our alternative options.

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.

A5. If you're a new Online Account user, you must create an ID.me account at the IRS to verify your identity. You can get help verifying your identity with ID.me on the ID.me help site. ID.me is a trusted credential service provider selected to support IRS.gov login services.

If you need help verifying your identity or to submit a support ticket, you can visit the ID.me IRS Help Site . If you can't verify your identity online, please see our alternative options.

A6. You can update your address.