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• View your address on file or manage your communi- cation preferences. Tax Pro Account. This tool lets your tax professional submit an authorization request to access your individual taxpayer IRS online account. For more information, go to IRS.gov/TaxProAccount. Using direct deposit. The fastest way to receive a tax refund is to file electronically and choose direct deposit, which securely and electronically transfers your refund di- rectly into your financial account. Direct deposit also avoids the possibility that your check could be lost, stolen, destroyed, or returned undeliverable to the IRS. Eight in 10 taxpayers use direct deposit to receive their refunds. If you don’t have a bank account, go to IRS.gov/ DirectDeposit for more information on where to find a bank or credit union that can open an account online. Getting a transcript of your return. The quickest way to get a copy of your tax transcript is to go to IRS.gov/ Transcripts. Click on either “Get Transcript Online” or “Get Transcript by Mail” to order a free copy of your transcript. If you prefer, you can order your transcript by calling 800-908-9946. Reporting and resolving your tax-related identity theft issues. • Tax-related identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information to commit tax fraud. Your taxes can be affected if your SSN is used to file a fraudulent return or to claim a refund or credit. • The IRS doesn’t initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages (including shortened links), tele- phone calls, or social media channels to request or verify personal or financial information. This includes requests for personal identification numbers (PINs), passwords, or similar information for credit cards, banks, or other financial accounts. • Go to IRS.gov/IdentityTheft, the IRS Identity Theft Central webpage, for information on identity theft and data security protection for taxpayers, tax professio- nals, and businesses. If your SSN has been lost or stolen or you suspect you’re a victim of tax-related identity theft, you can learn what steps you should take. • Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN). IP PINs are six-digit numbers assigned to taxpayers to help pre- vent the misuse of their SSNs on fraudulent federal in- come tax returns. When you have an IP PIN, it pre- vents someone else from filing a tax return with your SSN. To learn more, go to IRS.gov/IPPIN. Ways to check on the status of your refund. • Go to IRS.gov/Refunds. • Download the official IRS2Go app to your mobile de- vice to check your refund status. • Call the automated refund hotline at 800-829-1954. Note. The IRS can’t issue refunds before mid-Febru- ary for returns that claimed the EIC or the additional child tax credit (ACTC). This applies to the entire refund, not just the portion associated with these credits. Making a tax payment. Go to IRS.gov/Payments for in- formation on how to make a payment using any of the fol- lowing options. • IRS Direct Pay: Pay your individual tax bill or estima- ted tax payment directly from your checking or sav- ings account at no cost to you. • Debit or Credit Card: Choose an approved payment processor to pay online or by phone. • Electronic Funds Withdrawal: Schedule a payment when filing your federal taxes using tax return prepara- tion software or through a tax professional. • Electronic Federal Tax Payment System: Best option for businesses. Enrollment is required. • Check or Money Order: Mail your payment to the ad- dress listed on the notice or instructions. • Cash: You may be able to pay your taxes with cash at a participating retail store. • Same-Day Wire: You may be able to do same-day wire from your financial institution. Contact your finan- cial institution for availability, cost, and time frames. Note. The IRS uses the latest encryption technology to ensure that the electronic payments you make online, by phone, or from a mobile device using the IRS2Go app are safe and secure. Paying electronically is quick, easy, and faster than mailing in a check or money order. What if I can’t pay now? Go to IRS.gov/Payments for more information about your options. • Apply for an online payment agreement (IRS.gov/ OPA) to meet your tax obligation in monthly install- ments if you can’t pay your taxes in full today. Once you complete the online process, you will receive im- mediate notification of whether your agreement has been approved. • Use the Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier to see if you can settle your tax debt for less than the full amount you owe. For more information on the Offer in Compromise program, go to IRS.gov/OIC. Filing an amended return. Go to IRS.gov/Form1040X for information and updates. Checking the status of your amended return. Go to IRS.gov/WMAR to track the status of Form 1040-X amen- ded returns. Note. It can take up to 3 weeks from the date you filed your amended return for it to show up in our system, and processing it can take up to 16 weeks. Understanding an IRS notice or letter you’ve re- ceived. Go to IRS.gov/Notices to find additional informa- tion about responding to an IRS notice or letter. Publication 915 (2022) Page 31