It took me 5-10 minutes to set up an individual online account with the IRS. I don’t see the problem.
I suspect it is only a problem if you have an IQ under 100.
One measure of maturity is how much frustration you can handle without lashing out at yourself and others.
If you want to set up an online account with the IRS, good luck. Prepare to swear.
And even if you manage to authenticate your information and set up an account, the platform is so glitchy that you might end up getting locked out. Then the taxing agency will have to send you an activation code through the U.S. Postal Service — making you wait up to 10 days to get your account unlocked — although the IRS already has your email address and cellphone number and could simply email or text message you to verify your identity, much like a bank or brokerage.
I’m calling this column “Hot Mess Part 2,” because many taxpayers just can’t take it anymore. I recently wrote about the abysmal record of the IRS at picking up the telephone when taxpayers call. So now let’s talk about the agency’s antiquated online account system for taxpayers.
