1099
IRS successfully launches their own free Direct File - some of my fellow 'murcans are eligible
(sh.itjust.works)
For your simple[r] tax needs: https://directfile.irs.gov
I'm 100% for a simple IRS tax return but what the heck is with this?
Is that really necessary???
It's the same as going to a bank and letting the teller look at your face. It's to prevent someone from stealing your identity using a picture of your ID.
How can they verify the ID is real without physically seeing it? They look up the info but still need to verify that you are the person on the ID.
They can do that with a drivers license like they have for the last few decades.
And they're using a face recognition service from a for profit corporation ID.ME. Not ok. I'll continue to use their freefillable forms option, but if they discontinued that I'll just go back to paper mailing. This is not a step forward.
https://cyberscoop.com/irs-facial-recognition-identity-privacy/
I'm pretty sure you're required to provide your driver's license info at some point during the sign-up process, actually. Though it's been a while, so I don't remember for sure.
If it's like I remember, it's to confirm that the person on the ID matches the person who's signing up. Banks do the same when the teller asks for your ID. And so do the people who ask for your ID when you go to vote. It's the same basic process. It's just digital instead of in-person.