The IRS launched a new feature on their website this week giving taxpayers digital control over who can represent them or view their tax records. This groundbreaking new feature is one of many recent changes to the IRS’ online tools for individuals, making it easier than ever for taxpayers to manage their records online.

The Tax Pro Account tool allows individual taxpayers with an online account to authorize their tax practitioner to represent them before the IRS with a Power of Attorney (POA) and to view their tax accounts with a Tax Information Authorization (TIA).

As of Monday, July 19, tax professionals may use the Tax Pro Account on the IRS website to digitally initiate POAs and TIAs for their clients. Once completed and submitted by the tax professional, the authorization requests will appear in the taxpayer’s Online Account for their review, approval or rejection, and electronic signature. Within 48 hours, the tax professional will have access to view the taxpayer’s records.

Current functionality available to taxpayers and tax professionals:

• View key data from most recent tax return
• Access additional records
• View Economic Impact Payment amounts
• View amounts owed
• Make payments
• View five years of payment history and any pending or scheduled payments
• Access digital versions of select correspondence from the IRS
• Learn about payment plan options
• View payment plan details

Over time, additional functionality will be added to the Tax Pro Account tool for taxpayers and tax professionals that will increase the options for electronic interactions.

The Tax Pro Account is a welcome new feature that will make it much quicker and easier for tax professionals to access taxpayer records without having to deal with long wait times to reach the IRS.

If you have questions about the Tax Pro Account tool, leave a comment below or feel free to reach out to me directly, I’m happy to help!