Two-factor authentication added to IRS site

The IRS has pumped up its web security by adding multifactor authentication to thwart cyberthieves eager for the rich trove of taxpayer information held in its databases, according to Accounting Today.

The government agency has reinstalled its Get Transcript online application, which it removed last year after it detected criminals exploiting the app to gain access to hundreds of thousands of tax returns.

Taxpayers and tax professionals were only able to order tax transcripts via postal mail this past tax season, rather than simply downloading forms from the site. But, the relaunch on Tuesday uses an enhanced secure access framework that requires a two-step authentication process for users to view and print the tax transcripts directly online.

Users will now have to provide an email address, a text-enabled mobile device and specific financial account information. Those formerly registered with the legacy system, will need to re-register using the enhanced authentication.