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IRS no longer plans to require a selfie to access certain online tools

IRS Facial Recognition
Posted at 1:24 PM, Feb 07, 2022
and last updated 2022-02-07 16:27:26-05

The IRS announced Monday that it no longer plans to use facial-recognition software to access certain tools on its website.

The security feature was going to be rolled out over the summer. Users would have needed to take a selfie to access their online account, the Child Tax Credit portal, get online transcripts, and set up an online payment agreement.

After people raised concerns about privacy, the IRS said it is transitioning away from the service.

"The IRS takes taxpayer privacy and security seriously, and we understand the concerns that have been raised," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "Everyone should feel comfortable with how their personal information is secured, and we are quickly pursuing short-term options that do not involve facial recognition."

The IRS says the transition does not interfere with a person's ability to file or pay their taxes.

"People should continue to file their taxes as they normally would," the IRS said in a statement.

The filing deadline to submit a federal tax return is Monday, April 18.

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The filing deadline to submit 2021 tax returns or an extension to file and pay tax owed is Monday, April 18, 2022, for most taxpayers. By law, Washington, D.C., holidays impact tax deadlines for everyone in the same way federal holidays do. The due date is April 18, instead of April 15, because of the Emancipation Day holiday in the District of Columbia for everyone except taxpayers who live in Maine or Massachusetts. Taxpayers in Maine or Massachusetts have until April 19, 2022, to file their returns due to the Patriots' Day holiday in those states. Taxpayers requesting an extension will have until Monday, October 17, 2022, to file.