Tax preparation can be daunting, but getting your tax transcript from the IRS doesn't have to be. Whether you need it for a loan application when you apply for a mortgage, college financial aid or ...

By creating an online account, you can avoid the need to call the IRS for all sorts of questions. And you can make a variety of payments online.

Mark Steber, chief tax officer at Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, said there's a great value to being able to access your personal tax information online, including obtaining any necessary transcripts.

Beyond payments, an online IRS account offers access to vital tax information. Users can view their most recent tax return details, including their adjusted gross income, and access tax transcripts.

You can get instant copies of tax records like transcripts of past tax returns and wage and income statements. With an online account, you can also request an Identity Protection PIN to add an ...

With tax season approaching, individuals looking for a more convenient way to manage their tax records and payments may benefit from setting up an IRS online account.

You can also request your tax transcripts online or by mail to see if an SFR was filed. If the IRS filed an SFR for you, the best action is to file your own tax return as soon as possible.

Creating an online IRS account might raise concerns about data privacy, but understanding who can access your information can help you make an informed decision.