TITLE: IRS Digital Services Updates: What International Sellers Need to Know
The IRS has announced two important digital service developments in August 2026.
IR-2026-102, issued on 28 August 2026, highlights the growing range of secure IRS online tools for taxpayers and businesses.
IR-2026-97, issued on 20 August 2026, introduces a digitally authenticated Tax Compliance Report through the IRS Individual Online Account.
For international sellers from the UK, EU, Canada and Australia, these changes can make US tax administration faster and easier. They can also help you respond to lenders, marketplaces, banks and other organisations requesting evidence of tax compliance.
Here is what you need to know.
Download authenticated proof when a lender or marketplace asks
The IRS digitally authenticated Tax Compliance Report is designed for situations where you need to demonstrate your federal tax compliance.
You may need this when applying for:
- A US business loan or line of credit.
- A banking or payment service.
- A government benefit.
- A commercial agreement.
- Another service requiring tax compliance information.
The report shows whether tax returns were filed and taxes were paid on time. It provides a clear compliance status without disclosing unnecessary details such as income, dependants or filing status.
Each report obtained through an IRS Individual Online Account includes an IRS-issued digital certificate. The receiving organisation can use the certificate to verify that the document is authentic and has not been changed.
Example: a UK seller applying for US finance
Suppose you operate a UK-based ecommerce brand and sell into the United States through Amazon FBA. You have a US tax filing obligation and are applying for a US loan or line of credit.
The lender may ask for evidence that your US tax affairs are in order. Instead of sending screenshots or a collection of unrelated documents, you can obtain the Tax Compliance Report from your IRS Individual Online Account where the request relates to your individual tax record.
Download the original PDF and send that file to the lender. Do not scan it, take a screenshot or use “Print to PDF.” Those versions may remove the digital authentication features.
Important: The digitally authenticated report is currently available through the Individual Online Account. A business can also download a Business Tax Compliance Report through Business Tax Account, but the IRS states that digital authentication is currently limited to reports obtained through the Individual Account.
The report confirms federal tax compliance. It does not automatically prove that you are compliant with sales tax obligations in California, Texas, New York or another US state. State registrations, returns and payments must be reviewed separately.
Use Business Tax Account to manage routine obligations
The IRS is continuing to expand its online services for businesses.
Eligible businesses can use Business Tax Account to manage selected federal tax responsibilities online. Available features depend on the business structure and the user’s role.
You may be able to:
- View your business information held by the IRS.
- Check account balances by tax year.
- View payment history.
- Make federal tax deposits and balance-due payments.
- Schedule payments.
- View tax transcripts.
- Download an EIN verification notice.
- Read selected IRS notices and letters.
- View business tax compliance reports.
- Accept or reject certain third-party transcript authorisation requests.
- Manage access for authorised users.
This is particularly useful when you operate a foreign-owned US LLC, corporation or other US entity from outside the country.
Example: an Amazon FBA seller
An Australian seller uses Amazon FBA to store inventory in the United States. The business receives an IRS notice relating to a federal filing or payment.
Previously, the owner might have relied on postal correspondence, waited for a response or tried to resolve the matter by telephone across different time zones.
With Business Tax Account, an eligible user may be able to sign in, view the notice, check the account balance and confirm payment history. You can then provide the information to your compliance team and act before the issue affects your filing position.
Example: a Shopify brand
A Canadian Shopify brand makes direct sales to customers in several US states. The company uses Business Tax Account to review federal account information and download available transcripts.
At the same time, its sales tax process must separately track state obligations. Shopify sales data, marketplace reports, exemption records and state registrations should be reconciled before state returns are prepared.
Do not treat an IRS account as a replacement for state tax administration. It is one part of your wider US compliance process.
Check refunds, identity protection and authorisation requests online
The IRS online services update also highlights tools for refund status, Identity Protection PINs and authorisation requests.
These features can help international sellers and business owners resolve common administration issues without waiting for paper correspondence.
Through an IRS Individual Online Account, you may be able to:
- Check the status of a refund or amended return.
- View payment history.
- Access transcripts and available tax records.
- View digital notices.
- Request or manage an Identity Protection PIN.
- Review and approve certain authorisation requests from tax professionals.
Refund status example
Suppose a UK digital business has filed a US return and expects a refund. The owner can use the IRS refund tracker or the Individual Online Account to check the status.
Do not assume that a submitted return means the account is immediately updated. The IRS states that refund information may appear at different times depending on how the return was filed. Recent payments and returns may also take time to post to the account.
Keep confirmation records for every filing and payment. This will help you identify whether a delay relates to processing, missing information or an account issue.
IP PIN and authorisation requests
An Identity Protection PIN helps protect an individual taxpayer from someone attempting to file a fraudulent return using their identifying information.
If you receive an authorisation request from a tax professional or another authorised party, review it carefully before approving it. Business Tax Account may also allow eligible users to accept or reject transcript requests submitted through the Income Verification Express Service.
This gives you more control over access to sensitive tax information.
Understand the limits for foreign-owned US LLCs
Business Tax Account access is not identical for every business.
The IRS states that access depends on the entity type, tax return filed and user role. For example, Business Tax Account is available for certain partnerships, S corporations, C corporations and some single-member LLCs filing as part
