IRS Abandons Plan To Require Taxpayers To Scan Their Face To See Their Tax Returns After Firestorm Of Criticism

Following up on last week's post, The IRS Wants To Scan Your Face:  IR-2022-27 (Feb. 7, 2022), IRS Announces Transition Away From Use of Third-Party Verification Involving Facial Recognition:  

The IRS announced it will transition away from using a third-party service for facial recognition to help authenticate people creating new online accounts. The transition will occur over the coming weeks in order to prevent larger disruptions to taxpayers during filing season.

During the transition, the IRS will quickly develop and bring online an additional authentication process that does not involve facial recognition. The IRS will also continue to work with its cross-government partners to develop authentication methods that protect taxpayer data and ensure broad access to online tools.

"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 transition announced today does not interfere with the taxpayer's ability to file their return or pay taxes owed. During this period, the IRS will continue to accept tax filings, and it has no other impact on the current tax season. People should continue to file their taxes as they normally would.

• Daily Caller, IRS Decides It Won’t Make You Take A Selfie To Access Your Taxes After Fierce Backlash
• Forbes, IRS To Drop Facial Scan ID.me Verification For Online Accounts
• Letter, Senate Republicans to IRS Commissioner Charles P. Rettig
• New York Times, I.R.S. to End Use of Facial Recognition for Identity Verification
• Press Release, Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden Calls on IRS To End Use of Facial Recognition For Online Accounts
• Press Release, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) Letter to IRS Charles P. Rettig
• Washington Post, Huge Government Agencies Clash Over Imposing Facial Recognition
• Washington Post editorial, The IRS Should Not Make You Scan Your Face to See Your Tax Returns
• Washington Post, IRS Abandons Facial Recognition Plan After Firestorm of Criticism