Federal Requirements
You do not need a driver’s license number to file a federal return. Some states may request your driver’s license number for state tax returns because they have the ability to match state records and help confirm your identity. This is one more layer of protection against identity thieves. State tax software will prompt you for your driver’s license number if it is requested by the state. This step is not required in order to file your taxes, for most states, but could help speed up the processing of your return and will not affect your returns submission.
States such as Illinois, New York, and Alabama do require an ID to be provided in order to e-file this year.
For additional information, you can view the IRS information on the New Security Safeguards, or to see if your state is participating, you can review state revenue department websites.
NY Driver license or state identification required
Beginning with Tax Year 2016, the taxpayer’s driver license or state identification information is now required. If the taxpayer and/or spouse has been issued a driver license or state identification card, they are required to provide that information. Taxpayers must provide the ID number, issuing state, issuing date, and expiration date for all licenses or identification cards. If the taxpayer license/ID is a New York State driver license or non-driver ID, the document number found on the license/ID must also be entered. (Note: for married filing joint returns, enter only one document number.)
In the event that a taxpayer does not have a driver license or state-issued ID, indicate this. If the taxpayer does not have either a driver license or state-issued ID—or is deceased—marking the check box indicating that they have neither will fulfill the new requirement. This information is being required as an additional means of validating the taxpayer’s identification, and not having the information will not cause delays. However, if all other efforts to validate the taxpayer’s identity are unsuccessful, the processing of the refund may be delayed.
Alabama Taxpayer Identity Protection Program
The Alabama Department of Revenue has implemented increased security measures to protect Alabamians and the state from identity theft and fraud.
If you have received a notice asking you to complete an ID Confirmation Quiz, you’re in the right place. This 5-minute ID Confirmation Quiz is part of an effort designed to protect your identity and your tax refund. Once you have completed the quiz and your identity has been confirmed, we will continue processing your tax return.
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