Tax Tip 2020-169: All tax prep software will offer multi-factor authentication beginning in 2021

IRS Tax Tips December 10, 2020
Useful Links: IRS.gov Help For Hurricane Victims News Essentials What's Hot News Releases IRS - The Basics IRS Guidance Media Contacts Facts & Figures Around The Nation e-News Subscriptions The Newsroom Topics Multimedia Center Noticias en Español Radio PSAs Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts The Tax Gap Fact Sheets IRS Tax Tips Armed Forces Latest News IRS Resources Compliance & Enforcement News Contact Your Local IRS Office Filing Your Taxes Forms & Instructions Frequently Asked Questions Taxpayer Advocate Service Where to File IRS Social Media	Issue Number:  Tax Tip 2020-169 All tax prep software will offer multi-factor authentication beginning in 2021 The IRS and its Security Summit partners recently announced that multi-factor authentication will be available on all 2021 online tax preparation products. This security feature is designed to protect both taxpayers and tax professionals. What is multi-factor authentication? Multi-factor authentication requires users to enter two pieces of information to securely access an account or application. For example, taxpayers must enter their username, password and a number code sent by text to their cell phone. More details about this important feature For 2021, all providers agreed to make multi-factor authentication a standard feature. They also agreed it would meet requirements set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. This feature might not be available on over-the-counter hard disk tax products. Multi-factor authentication is optional, but taxpayers and tax professionals are strongly encouraged to use it whenever it's available. Users can check the security section in their online tax product account to opt-in to multi-factor authentication. It may be labeled as two-factor authentication or two-step verification or similar names. Here's how it can stop thieves Thieves use a variety of scams to download malicious software, such as keystroke logging software. This malware enables them to steal all passwords from a tax pro. Once they have access to the practitioner's networks and tax software account, they can complete pending taxpayer returns, alter refund information and use the practitioner's own e-filing and preparer numbers to file fraudulent returns. This is a dangerous combination. With multi-factor authentication enabled, a thief might get one form of identification but will not have the second form of authentication which will block the thief's ability to receive the necessary security code to access the potential victim's account. How to get multi-factor authentication There are several ways people can get multi-factor authentication. Apps are available through Google Play or Apple's App Store. Once installed, these apps will generate a temporary, single-use security code, which the user must enter their tax software to complete authentication. There are also multi-factor authentication solutions that utilize hardware-based, physical security keys. No product is fool-proof, but multi-factor authentication dramatically reduces the likelihood that taxpayers or tax professional will become victims of tax related theft. Share this tip on social media -- #IRSTaxTip: All tax prep software will offer multi-factor authentication beginning in 2021. https://go.usa.gov/x7M5z   Back to Top         Thank you for subscribing to IRS Tax Tips, an IRS e-mail service. For more information on federal taxes please visit IRS.gov. This message was distributed automatically from the IRS Tax Tips mailing list. Please Do Not Reply To This Message.

 

---

Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

---

This email was sent to business.solutions.ve@gmail.com by: Internal Revenue Service (IRS) · Internal Revenue Service · 1111 Constitution Ave. N.W. · Washington DC 20535