ID.me (IRS)

I’m down to one hour 43 minutes waiting time for my interview … 30 minutes have passed win frustration looking at the blue sky outside I’m missing!! Ah well. Better to get it over with I guess. Thanks for the advice here which gave me courage to try.


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I do wonder if the analytics page posted earlier ( https://analytics.usa.gov/treasury/) showing just the Treasury website show the best time to try?

I know it's not ID.me, but shows when there is activity on the Treasury website.

The quietest time appears to be (certainly today) was between 4am & 5am EST - i.e. 9:00am - 10:00am UK time - would make sense as that  is when those on the other side of the pond are sleeping and offline.

I do wonder if the analytics page posted earlier ( https://analytics.usa.gov/treasury/) showing just the Treasury website show the best time to try?

I know it's not ID.me, but shows when there is activity on the Treasury website.

The quietest time appears to be (certainly today) was between 4am & 5am EST - i.e. 9:00am - 10:00am UK time - would make sense as that  is when those on the other side of the pond are sleeping and offline.

Good point. My bad - I was too excited after reading the forum and couldn’t wait to get started!


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I’m down to one hour 43 minutes waiting time for my interview … 30 minutes have passed win frustration looking at the blue sky outside I’m missing!! Ah well. Better to get it over with I guess. Thanks for the advice here which gave me courage to try.


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I had a similar experience. I just kept my Macbook open and plugged in and in sight while I did other things.  At 15 minutes to go a button popped up asking if I was still there, so I was pleased that I didn't miss that little beauty.

I got verified and into my account, and I must say after basically 30 years of being an expat this is the first time I feel a bit more in control of my us taxes. A real breakthrough to be able to see that they have processed last years return. Really worthwhile.


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I got verified and into my account, and I must say after basically 30 years of being an expat this is the first time I feel a bit more in control of my us taxes. A real breakthrough to be able to see that they have processed last years return. Really worthwhile.


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Congratulations.

I also thought it was well worth the effort to at least be able to see my tax return. It looks like you also make payments on the site which might be more convenient than the EFTPS estimated payments system I have been using.

Washington Post opinion piece: "The IRS should not make you scan your face to see your tax returns"

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/02/06/irs-selfie-tax-return/

Washington Post opinion piece: "The IRS should not make you scan your face to see your tax returns"

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/02/06/irs-selfie-tax-return/

I agree. Having used my image as part of the one-off verification in creating my IRS account I would prefer it if ID.me deleted the identification information.

When I first created my SS account the 2FA verification method when logging on was a text message but so many folks didn’t own mobile phones that it was changed to a code sent to the email address on file. I suspect that using face recognition as part of the log on process may hit a similar roadblock in that too many folks don’t have good enough computers or access to good enough computers for it to be practical. For example, when doing lateral flow tests and recording the results I always opt to use the camera on my tablet to scan the QR code on the test strip instead of typing in the code, however I have found that the lighting needs to be really good otherwise it doesn’t work.

The U.S. Gov has your 'face' on many a database. Passport, Customs and Border protection when you enter the country and in some cases even when you leave. Even walking down the street in the downtown district, you're image is matched against a 'gallery'. Then data sharing between countries especially international travel.

I'm not a fan of a private company in this regard, but for me the simplicity of checking out my info with the IRS and paying tax & being able to see correspondence is the offset. Trying to get mailed correspondence overseas isn't always straight forward. Address line formatting, I often see the country before my street address, I'm amazed how any item actually gets to me.

@Barcrest

You're absolutely right. Facial recognition and imagery is at the forefront here (even logging in to your mobile phone or opening a door) - Iris recognition was first used by UK passport control  in 2004 & subsequently superseded by other biometric data    - don't think for a minute that many governments don't already have an enormous database of biometric information that they use for a multitude of verification and tracking purposes - many thought Spooks (an excellent BBC series btw - a great watch to catchup on for those who were overseas at the time) was far fetched at the time - maybe not!

@Barcrest

You're absolutely right. Facial recognition and imagery is at the forefront here (even logging in to your mobile phone or opening a door) - Iris recognition was first used by UK passport control  in 2004 & subsequently superseded by other biometric data    - don't think for a minute that many governments don't already have an enormous database of biometric information that they use for a multitude of verification and tracking purposes - many thought Spooks (an excellent BBC series btw - a great watch to catchup on for those who were overseas at the time) was far fetched at the time - maybe not!

+1

Facial recognition has been used entering the UK for several years now. Place your passport on the reader, step forward so your face shows on the monitor and if it matches the gate opens.

I think it is similar to entering the USA if you are registered with Global Entry, although the times we have done that it has worked for me but my 5'1" wife had to stand so far back to get her face into the viewer the facial recognition didn't work so she had to do the fingerprint recognition.

For those of you who have never watched Spooks, all 10 series have been added to BBC Iplayer:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b006mf4b/spooks?seriesId=p008w4dv

Takes your mind off Covid & Taxes!!

And just like that…change again! https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/7/22922212/irs-id-me-facial-recognition-end-privacy-concerns


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Well, that didn’t last long.

Well although ID .me might not be long for this world, I had a go at registering this morning. Here's my experience:

Firstly I'd tried previously but failed due to the non-US address and non-US phone number. ID.Me had sent me an email asking if I wanted to continue or go directly to the video referee - I hadn't really paid attention to that previously, but selected that option. This took me to a different registration page and allowed me to enter my UK address, didn't ask for any telephone number. Then uploaded copies of my passport, social security card and a UK utility bill (Vodafone broadband).

This then took me to the waiting room - my wait time was 7 Minutes - YES - SEVEN MINUTES!!!!

I was actually in to the call in less than 4 minutes, video verification took about 3 or 4 minutes and that was it. Email received, and I'm into my IRS account.

I started and submitted my documents @ 9:58am this morning.

At least I now know the IRS has not yet processed my 2020 paper filed return (my own fault as I field late - mid December).