IRS app users now have a broader way to manage selected federal tax services from a mobile device after the Internal Revenue Service replaced IRS2Go with an expanded app on September 25, 2026.
The application keeps the earlier service’s core functions while adding secure access to certain individual taxpayer account features.
The update affects taxpayers who use the former IRS2Go application to check refunds, make payments or find tax information.
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What the new IRS app lets taxpayers do
The IRS app allows users to check the status of a federal income tax refund and an amended return.
Taxpayers can also view available balance information, make payments and review payment activity through the mobile experience.
With an Individual Online Account sign-in, users can access available tax records and transcripts.
The app also provides access to selected IRS notices and letters related to a taxpayer’s account.
Other account features include certain profile and communication preferences, along with access to an Identity Protection PIN, commonly called an IP PIN.
An IP PIN is a six-digit number used to help prevent someone else from filing a federal tax return using a taxpayer’s Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number.
IRS2Go users do not need a separate app
The IRS said current IRS2Go users do not need to download a second application.
Devices with automatic updates enabled should receive the IRS app through the normal update process.
Users who do not have automatic updates turned on can update the application manually through the Apple App Store or Google Play.
The IRS app is available in English and Spanish, according to the agency’s official mobile-service page.
The agency describes the new application as a name change and an expansion of IRS2Go rather than a completely separate service.
Some features require an IRS account
Taxpayers can use some functions without signing in, including refund-status tools, access to payment options and links to IRS tax information.
Additional services require taxpayers to sign in to or create an IRS Individual Online Account.
Account users can view payment history, schedule or make payments, access tax records and read eligible notices and letters.
The app uses ID.me for identity verification when taxpayers sign in to use the new account-based features.
After identity verification, users are redirected back to the mobile application to continue using the available services.
Taxpayers who have not created an IRS Individual Online Account may need government-issued identification and other information to complete the verification process.
The IRS app does not replace IRS.gov
The IRS app provides mobile access to selected Individual Online Account services, but it does not replace the agency’s website.
IRS.gov remains the central source for tax forms, filing instructions, tax guidance, calculators, payment information and other taxpayer tools.
The Individual Online Account, Business Tax Account and Tax Pro Account will continue to be available through IRS.gov.
The new app initially extends selected Individual Online Account functions to mobile users rather than providing every service available on the website.
Telephone and in-person assistance also remain available for taxpayers whose issues cannot be resolved through online self-service.
How to find the official IRS app
Taxpayers should locate the application through the official IRS app page on IRS.gov or through the verified listings in the Apple App Store and Google Play.
The IRS cautioned taxpayers to avoid look-alike applications, paid advertisements and unsolicited messages that claim to provide access to IRS accounts.
The agency does not ask taxpayers to provide sensitive personal or financial information through an unsolicited text message, email or pop-up.
Anyone who receives an unexpected message about downloading an IRS application should avoid clicking the included link.
Instead, taxpayers should open IRS.gov directly and use the agency’s verified app information to locate the correct listing.
What taxpayers should know before using the app
The new mobile access may be useful for taxpayers who need to check a refund, confirm an amended-return status or review a balance while away from a computer.
It may also reduce the need to use separate IRS pages for payment history, selected notices and certain tax records.
However, the range of available information may depend on the taxpayer’s account, filing history, identity verification and the type of service being requested.
The IRS also notes that not every account function is currently available through the app.
Taxpayers should continue using IRS.gov when they need full filing guidance, forms, detailed instructions or services that are not included in the initial mobile expansion.
Users should also keep their mobile device’s operating system and the IRS app updated to receive security and service improvements.
Why the change matters during tax administration
The launch gives individual taxpayers another secure channel for routine account tasks that previously required a web browser or separate mobile tools.
Refund tracking remains available, but the app now connects that function with more account-specific services.
For taxpayers who owe money, the ability to view payment activity and make or schedule payments can provide a more direct way to manage an account.
Access to transcripts, notices and an IP PIN may also help taxpayers prepare returns, respond to IRS correspondence and protect against certain forms of identity theft.
The IRS said it plans to continue expanding the mobile experience as additional capabilities become available.
For now, taxpayers should treat the IRS app as a mobile extension of selected IRS Individual Online Account services, not as a replacement for the full IRS.gov website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the IRS2Go app?
IRS2Go has been renamed and expanded as the IRS app. Existing users with automatic updates enabled should receive the change through the normal update process.
What can taxpayers do with the new IRS app?
Users can check refund and amended-return status, view available balances, make payments, review payment activity, access selected notices and tax records, and manage certain account preferences.
Do taxpayers need an IRS account to use the app?
Some features are available without signing in, but account-specific services require an IRS Individual Online Account and identity verification through ID.me.
Does the IRS app replace IRS.gov?
No. IRS.gov remains the main source for tax forms, filing guidance, payment tools and the full range of IRS online services.
How can taxpayers avoid fake IRS apps?
Taxpayers should use the official IRS app page on IRS.gov or verified listings in the Apple App Store and Google Play, and should not follow unsolicited download links in texts, emails or pop-up messages.
Fact-Checked: Key launch details, available features, account requirements and security guidance were checked against IRS.gov pages dated September 25, 2026.
Disclaimer: App features may vary by taxpayer account and can change as the IRS expands its mobile services.
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