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> You have to give up your privacy to even login to IRS.gov I'm all for privacy, but isn't privacy the opposite of what is needed on IRS.gov If you're logged

> You have to give up your privacy to even login to IRS.gov I'm all for privacy, but isn't privacy the opposite of what is needed on IRS.gov If you're logged into the government website to file your taxes (or get a refund), there should be strong KYC controls in place asserting with extremely high levels of assurance - the individual logged in is who they claim to be. How can you do that, anonymously (in a private way)? -- EDIT: it seems like folks are saying this is primary due to using a 3rd party biometric service for login. The IRS announced over 2-years ago, they are transitioning away from that. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-announces-transition-away-from-use-of-third-party-verification-involving-facial-recognition https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-announces-transition-away-f...

taeric 3y ago
I think the concerns are more on the third party there having this?
kevincox 3y ago
The problem isn't proving your identity to IRS.gov. The problem is allowing a third party to store and sell your personal information. If IRS.gov is going to use a third-party verification service their agreement should require that the collected information is used solely for providing the identification service and deleted after an appropriate timeframe.
kevin_b_er 3y ago
This is disingenuous take. We're not talking about the IRS, but the company they outsourced to that demands a lot from you. You lose the basic right to access courts of law, and ID.me gains nearly unlimited capacity to harm you without repercussions.
Dudhbbh3343 3y ago
Why is biometric verification required to file online with the IRS when I can mail in a paper return or use TurboTax without anything like that?
- ufmace 3y ago
  1. Because large-scale fraud is vastly easier with electronic filing versus mailing paper around, so it justifies higher security 2. Higher security with your tax information is a good thing, and we shouldn't avoid it because some other systems aren't capable of it or haven't integrated yet

taeric 3y ago

I think the concerns are more on the third party there having this?

kevincox 3y ago

The problem isn't proving your identity to IRS.gov. The problem is allowing a third party to store and sell your personal information. If IRS.gov is going to use a third-party verification service their agreement should require that the collected information is used solely for providing the identification service and deleted after an appropriate timeframe.

kevin_b_er 3y ago

This is disingenuous take. We're not talking about the IRS, but the company they outsourced to that demands a lot from you. You lose the basic right to access courts of law, and ID.me gains nearly unlimited capacity to harm you without repercussions.

Dudhbbh3343 3y ago

Why is biometric verification required to file online with the IRS when I can mail in a paper return or use TurboTax without anything like that?

ufmace 3y ago
1. Because large-scale fraud is vastly easier with electronic filing versus mailing paper around, so it justifies higher security 2. Higher security with your tax information is a good thing, and we shouldn't avoid it because some other systems aren't capable of it or haven't integrated yet