As part of our tax verification process, families may go through one of two pathways. You will have the option to verify through Clarity or through the IRS website.
You can review the step-by-step directions for both processes in this guide, as well as download a PDF copy at the bottom of the page.
Clarity Verification Process | IRS Verification Process |
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Continue here for the step-by-step verification process through Clarity | Continue here for the step by-step verification process through the IRS |
Clarity Verification Process
Step 1 - Sign the Forms
During this process, you will sign both the 8821 and 4506c, which are tax authorization forms.
Start by clicking the “Sign and verify with Clarity button”. This will take you to the forms to e-sign both tax documents and tax authorization consent.
Both the 8821 and 4506c forms will be signed in the same digital document. You will start with the 8821, and then continue down to the 4506c after the Tax Authorization consent form is signed.
You will sign the forms and complete verification for each guardian separately. Once verification is completed for the first guardian listed, the process will start for the second guardian.
Step 2 - Verify Your Identity
Each guardian will need to complete this verification step. If the other guardian is not available, you will have the option to send them an email with the steps.
The verification can either be completed on the device you are using, or a different device if it’s easier. (Computer with camera, mobile phone, tablet).
Step 3 - Submit Your Application
Once verification is completed for all guardians, you will be brought back to the page where you can submit your application.
If verification failed through Persona, you can still submit the application. Our manual verification team will review it and reach out if any additional information is needed.
IRS Verification Process
Step 1 - Create/Confirm IRS Account
Each guardian will need to create their own individual IRS account.
If you already have an account, simply click the button to enter your IRS info and skip to here.
A: If any guardians in the household do not have an IRS account, click this button to create one. (See pages 4-9 for step-by-step instructions on the creation process).
B: Once created, or if you already have an IRS account, click the “Enter IRS Info” button to add your name and address. (See next page for more details)
C: A confirmation box will pop-up to confirm that the guardian has an IRS account. Once you have an account, click the “Yes, Continue” button to proceed.
A: Click the link to go straight to your IRS profile page.
B: Refer to the screenshot to find where to locate your IRS name and address.
C: Enter your name and address EXACTLY as it appears on your IRS profile.
D: Once everything is entered, click the Finish button to move to the next step.
Step 2 - IRS Account Creation
If you already have an IRS account through ID.me, you do not need to complete these steps. Skip ahead to here for the next steps in the Clarity process.
These steps are completed outside of Clarity’s scope. If you have any questions or encounter issues verifying your account, visit: ID.me Support
Click the Create an Account button to get started
Fill out your log-in information and follow the prompts to confirm your email
Once account has been created, you will need to set up multi-factor authentication. You can select whichever option works best for you.
Step 3 - IRS Account Verification
You will have the option to use Self-Service or a Video Call to verify your identity. If you select the Self-Service option, you will need to consent for ID.me to collect biometric data and sensitive personal information.
Regardless of which verification method you choose, you will need to take photos of your identification document from your mobile device. Enter your mobile phone number and then follow the link in the text message you receive.
Follow the prompts to take photos of your identification.
Follow the prompts to upload a selfie. Once completed, you can return to the Clarity application.
Step 4 - Tax Verification Form
Once all guardians have checked the box confirming that the have an IRS account, Step 2 will automatically open up for you to begin signing the form. Each guardian will complete a separate copy of the tax verification form, with forms submitted one at a time.
A: The first, or only, guardian will click the Sign & Submit button to fill out the 4506-C tax verification form.
B: If there is a second guardian, the Sign & Submit button will appear after the first guardian has signed the form. Repeat the same signing process for the second guardian.
Clarity will automatically fill in most of the information on the form using the details you provided in your application. Double-check that the pre-filled information is correct. If any details are incorrect, return to the application and update them.
Step 5 - Approve Document Requests
As with the other pages, each guardian will complete the process separately, logging in to their personal IRS account.
A: The ‘Show me how’ link brings up a window providing the steps to take on the IRS website.
B: Click “Open IRS in New Tab” to be taken to the IRS website. (See next page for the approval steps).
Once you sign in to your account, you will automatically be taken to the authorization request page.
Note: the page on the IRS site is called “Power of Attorney and Tax Information Authorizations.” You will be authorizing Clarity, through our IRS-designated representatives James McGowan or Curtis Knuth, to access your tax records. You are not being asked to authorize a power of attorney. You can verify this by looking for the “TIA” in the “Type” column of the Online Authorization Request box (see below)
After coming back to your application, you will see these pop-ups to confirm the authorization process on the IRS website.
A: The ‘Show me how’ link brings up a window providing the steps to take on the IRS website.
B: If you saw the authorization request on your IRS account, click “Yes, I See a Request” to confirm.
C: On the next pop-up, if you approved the authorization, click the “Yes, I Approved” button to proceed.
D: If you are not seeing an authorization request, click “No, I Don’t See a Request” and follow the process on the next page.
If you saw and approved the request:
A: Once you have approved the authorization, you should see a green checkmark next to all names. At this time, you can check the “I certify...” box and submit your application.
B: While it can take less than 5-10 minutes for us to receive confirmation from the IRS, it does sometimes take several hours, even up to 24. You will see the spinning circle until confirmed. If it’s been longer than 24 hours, reach out to Clarity support.
C: After 10 minutes, you may see this box pop up. It is just a notification stating that it may take some time for us to receive the confirmation and to check back later.
If you did not see the request:
D: If you are not seeing an authorization request, follow the steps to confirm that your name and address match exactly what is on your IRS profile. Make any updates needed and then follow the steps listed above again to approve.