As tax season approaches, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has introduced a significant upgrade to its digital services that promises to simplify tax filing for millions of Americans. The agency announced it will integrate key information reporting documents directly into taxpayers' online accounts, marking a major step forward in modernizing tax record management.
New Digital Access to Essential Forms
Starting with the 2023 and 2024 tax years, taxpayers will find W-2 forms (Wage and Tax Statements) and 1095-A forms (Health Insurance Marketplace Statements) available under the "Records and Status" tab in their IRS online accounts. This centralization of critical tax documents represents the IRS's ongoing effort to enhance accessibility and security for taxpayers managing their financial information.
The agency plans to gradually incorporate additional information reporting documents in the coming months, expanding the service's capabilities. Currently, the system only displays documents specific to each taxpayer. Married couples filing jointly must access their individual accounts to retrieve their respective documents, whether choosing joint or separate filing status.
Important note: State and local tax information, including state tax details on W-2 forms, will not be available through the online account system. Taxpayers must retain original documents provided by issuers for these records.
Comprehensive Online Account Features
Taxpayers can create an IRS online account by visiting the "Your Online Account" page on IRS.gov. Beyond accessing the new forms, the platform offers numerous services including:
- Viewing key details from recent tax returns, including adjusted gross income
- Requesting an Identity Protection PIN
- Checking refund status
- Accessing account transcripts with wage and income records
- Signing tax-related documents such as powers of attorney
- Managing language preferences and alternative media options
- Receiving and reviewing IRS electronic notices
- Making, viewing, or canceling payments
- Setting up or modifying payment plans
Deadlines and Missing Documents
The IRS emphasizes that taxpayers should file their returns by the April 15 deadline even if they're missing some documents or discover errors in received forms. Those who haven't received required information returns or find discrepancies should contact the issuing employer, payer, or agency to request corrected or replacement documents.
For additional guidance on handling missing or incorrect W-2 or 1099-R forms, taxpayers can reference IRS Topic No. 154 on the official IRS website.