States Require Driver’s License for E-Filing Tax Returns
For individual filers who are required to e-file their income tax returns, don’t be surprised when your CPA tells you a copy of your driver’s license or other acceptable form of ID is required in order to efile or process your tax return.
During this tax filing season, more and more states are requiring tax return preparers to include driver’s license numbers (or another form of acceptable identification) on e-filings as a measure to help combat identity and refund theft.
In states that require it, failing to include this mandatory information will prevent your tax preparer from e-filing your return. (On the bright side, providing this information may help state taxing authorities process tax returns more quickly).
Currently, the following states either require or request a driver’s license number or other acceptable form of identification to be included with the e-filing of state returns:
Alabama
California
Illinois
Kansas
Louisiana
New York
Ohio
Virginia
Wisconsin
It is optional, for now, in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
However, some tax preparation software programs may still require the ID in order to process returns, regardless of the state filing requirements. So, your tax preparer may still request you to provide an acceptable ID even if you do not file in any of the above states because their software requires an ID before it will create a return for efiling.
Currently, a driver’s license or other acceptable ID is not required to file a federal return.