How to Verify Your Identity to Sign Your Tax Return (Once Per Year)

When you sign your tax return electronically through the MGA Client Portal, you may be asked to verify your identity before completing the process. This verification is required once per year and helps protect your information while ensuring compliance with IRS security requirements.

The process is quick and secure, typically taking less than two minutes to complete. To make it as simple as possible, we’ve included a short video tutorial below that walks you through the entire process step by step.

If you prefer written instructions or would like to follow along as you complete the steps, you’ll find the full step-by-step guide below the video.

Step 1: Confirm Your Identity Code

The first time you sign a tax return each year through your client portal, you'll be required to verify your identity.

When prompted, click the "Start Identity Verification" button.

Our portal partner works with Stripe to securely confirm your identity and will guide you through a simple verification process that only takes a couple of minutes.

First, you'll receive a verification code by email. Enter that code when prompted to confirm your identity.

Step 2: Continue on Your Mobile Device

You'll then be asked to continue the process on your mobile device. Open your phone's camera app and scan the QR code displayed on your computer screen. This will open the secure verification page on your phone. 

Step 3: Scan Your ID and Take a Selfie

From your mobile device, you’ll be asked to complete a few quick steps to confirm your identity:

• Take a photo of a valid government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license
• Flip the ID over and photograph the back
• Take a quick selfie so the system can confirm it’s really you

You may also be asked to provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.

Step 4: Verification Complete

Once you’ve submitted the requested information, your phone will display a message indicating that your details are being reviewed.

At the same time, your computer screen will automatically update once verification is complete, allowing you to continue reviewing and signing your tax return.

Important Notes

• Identity verification is required once per year per user
• Each spouse must complete their own verification before signing
• The process is handled securely through Stripe
• MGA does not store your ID images

Once your identity has been verified, you will not be prompted to complete this process again until the following year.

Have Questions? Please Ask!

We have an incredible team here who is happy to help you with any questions that may come up. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions, via email or phone.

As always, we are here to make the complex simple.