Puerto Rico Residents Experience Significant Improvement in Identity Verification for Federal Tax System Applications
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has made significant strides in improving service and accessibility, as well as implementing safe access to federal tax system applications and websites for Puerto Rico residents. This achievement is attributed to the modernized secure access platform partnered with ID.me.
A Three-Fold Increase in Verification Success Rates
From 2016 to 2022, only 23.9% of Puerto Rican taxpayers were able to verify their identities using the IRS’ Secure Access system. However, following the technological upgrades, access rates in Puerto Rico jumped to 78.6%. ID.me offers several pathways to verification, making it easier for residents to successfully authenticate.
Addressing Long-Standing Barriers to Access
Data brokers have historically struggled to verify residents who may have moved recently, changed their names, lack banking records, or have thin credit files. The IRS credits these technological improvements with mitigating long-standing barriers to access, emphasizing that it is crucial for all Puerto Rico residents to be successfully authenticated so they can access eligible federal benefits and programs.
ID.me: A Veteran-Founded Business Committed to Accessibility
ID.me, a U.S.-based veteran-founded business, adheres to standards set forth by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and offers:
- Video chat verification in multiple languages, including Spanish
- 24/7 multilingual customer support
Conclusion
The IRS’ move towards a more inclusive service solution is a step forward in ensuring that all Puerto Rico residents have equal access to federal tax system applications and websites. As the investigation into the role of data brokers and credit bureaus continues, it is clear that technological upgrades like ID.me’s platform are essential in mitigating long-standing barriers to access.