Updated on September 28, 2026 by David Korpel

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For years, most people knew IRS2Go as the app for checking on a refund. That changed on September 25, 2026, when the IRS replaced IRS2Go with a new app called “IRS.” Somewhere in Washington, we like to picture a team of IRS staffers typing “make it do everything irs.gov does, but on a phone, and please don’t break anything” into Claude Code and hitting Enter. However they built it, the result is a big step up from the old app.

If you already have IRS2Go, you don’t need to download anything new. The app updates through the App Store or Google Play like any other update. If automatic updates are turned off, tap Update.

Sign in and see your account

The app uses the same sign-in as your IRS online account at irs.gov. For most people, that means your ID.me credentials. The app opens a secure sign-in window, then returns you to the app once you’re verified.

Once you’re signed in, you can:

1. See your balance
2. Make payments, including estimated tax payments and payments toward a balance due
3. Review your payment history
4. View and download tax transcripts
5. Read select IRS notices and letters
6. Check the status of a refund or an amended return
7. Get your Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)
8. Update certain profile and communication preferences

That’s a lot of new features for one update. Either the IRS has been quietly working on this for a long time, or someone there discovered vibe coding and hasn’t slept since.

One nice touch: if you’ve already saved a bank account in your IRS online account, it’s there when you log in on the app—no typing in routing and account numbers on a tiny keyboard.

Sessions stay active for up to 60 minutes while you’re using the app, then you’ll need to sign in again.

No login? You can still pay

You don’t have to sign in to use the app. Without logging in, you can still check your refund status, find free filing help, and make certain payments as a guest. For guest payments, you verify your identity with information from a tax return you’ve previously filed, then pay directly from your bank account.

A note for business owners

The app currently covers only individual accounts. Business Tax Accounts aren’t included, so payroll deposits and other business tax payments still go through EFTPS or your business account on irs.gov. The IRS says it plans to add more features over time. We assume that means someone is already prompting, “Okay, now do the business accounts.”

Watch out for fakes

Only download the app from the official IRS listing in the App Store or Google Play, or through the link at IRS.gov/app. The IRS will never text or email you asking for personal or financial information, so if you get a message claiming to be about “the new IRS app,” don’t click it.

How we use it with our clients

If we’ve given you estimated payment amounts for the year, the app is one of the easiest ways to make those payments and confirm they posted. It’s also a quick way to pull a transcript or check a notice when we ask for one. If you have questions about anything you see in your account, reach out, and we’ll help you understand it.

About The Author

David Korpel

After graduating from college, David jumped right into public accounting, where he first met Mike. This experience established a well-rounded technical foundation. He gained a wealth of experience traveling the country performing audits, reviews, compilations, and tax engagements before joining up with Mike again as ENGAGE’s first employee.

As Chief Operating Officer, Dave is in charge of keeping our client relationships as fun, informative, educational, and productive as possible. He aims to be supportive, informative, proactive, and trustworthy. Whether wearing his bookkeeping, tax, forensic accounting, or social media hat, his focus consistently remains on adding value for our clients. He is inspired by the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of clients. His passion for helping small business owners make sense of their numbers and remove any stress and anxiety related to their financials and taxes is second only to the love for his family.

Dave’s wife, Laura, son Lincoln, and daughter Luna are his motivation every day to grow, learn, and love what he does. They live in Skippack, PA and can often be found hiking on another new trail in the area or walking into town for a bite to eat. And boy, are they a hungry bunch!