IRS Will Soon Require Selfies for Online Access

Re:IRS Will Soon Require Selfies for Online Access by fabian2k on Wednesday January 19, 2022 @02:09PM (#29998486)

There are some important differences here as in Germany everyone has an official ID card. So there is no insanity like requesting copies of bills there. Stuff like VideoIdent feels a bit silly, but in the end this is somewhat close to how you do that in person, you show someone your official ID card and they take a look at you and try to decide if you look roughly like the person in the photo.

There is an official and modern alternative using the RFID chip in the ID cards, it's not used that widely but it seems like support is getting a bit broader. I tried it for the state pension site, and I could directly access my information there using only my ID card and the PIN for it.

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Re:IRS Will Soon Require Selfies for Online Access by dragonwriter on Wednesday January 19, 2022 @02:13PM (#29998540)

> There are some important differences here as in Germany everyone has an official ID card. So there is no insanity like requesting copies of bills there.

Copies of bills are usually requested in the US in addition to state issued photo ID, not to replace it. They are usually explained as requested as a means of verifying current residency at the address listed on the ID.

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Re:IRS Will Soon Require Selfies for Online Access by fabian2k on Wednesday January 19, 2022 @02:20PM (#29998636)

Here, private companies will just sent you a letter if they need to verify your address. The government already has access to your address, it generally doesn't need to verify it.

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