For many people in the Polish-American community, dealing with the U.S. tax agency means phone queues or a pile of paperwork. The IRS reports that it is changing this, in part through a new mobile app. IR-2026-114 of September 25, 2026, describes the “IRS app,” the successor to the previous IRS2Go app (irs.gov).
What the new app can do
According to the IRS, the app is designed to provide secure access to selected services from an Individual Online Account. Once logged in, you can, as the agency describes:
- check the status of your tax refund and amended return,
- view your available balance and payment history,
- browse selected IRS letters and notices,
- download available tax documents and transcripts,
- change certain profile details and contact preferences,
- access your Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN).
Features known from IRS2Go continue to work without logging in: checking refund status, guest payment, and access to free filing options (irs.gov/help/app). The IRS announces that additional features will be added over time.
How to get it and what to watch out for
The app is free and available in the Apple App Store and Google Play. People who already have IRS2Go do not need to download anything separately: with automatic updates enabled, the new version will appear normally. To use the new features, logging into your individual account via ID.me is required, according to the IRS help page.
The agency warns against fake apps and messages. The app should be downloaded exclusively through official links from the IRS website, not from ads, SMS text messages, or emails. The IRS reminds taxpayers that it does not ask for personal or financial data in unsolicited text messages, emails, or pop-up windows. Suspicious apps can be reported at IRS.gov/submitatip.
What the app does not do
It is worth knowing the limitations. According to the IRS, the app does not replace IRS.gov or online accounts. The Business Tax Account and Tax Pro Account remain available exclusively on IRS.gov, and initially the app includes only selected features of the individual account. Therefore, business owners or LLC owners should continue to use a computer. Telephone and in-person assistance remain available for matters that cannot be handled independently.
Language: English and Spanish only
An important detail from the perspective of Polish seniors: according to the IRS help page, the app is available in English and Spanish. There is no Polish version. An adult child or grandchild can help older family members with their first login, especially since identity verification through ID.me requires a few steps. However, IRS documents and accounts containing a Social Security number should not be shared with random people, let alone sent via messaging apps.
What this means
For people waiting for a tax refund, paying off a balance, or frequently receiving notices from the IRS, the phone can save time. For more complex matters, such as foreign income, multi-year returns, or IRS correspondence regarding an audit, it is still better to consult an accountant. This text is for informational purposes and does not constitute tax advice.
If you prefer to discuss your taxes with someone who speaks Polish, you can find Polish accountants and tax advisors in the Polish Pages directory.
