Creating an ID.Me account has absolutely nothing to do with refunds. You do NOT need to have an ID.Me account for your return to process. Please do not spread this misinformation.
ID.Me is a separate entity that helps people to verify who they are so they can access their information from secured websites. (I originally created it to get into the social security website, but it works for my IRS account too bc ID.Me has already verified I am who I claim to be)
My personal suggestion is to make an ID.Me account so you can get into your IRS account to see if the IRS is needing you to verify with them (which has to be done through the IRS website, in person, or over the phone.... But not through id.me)
Log into your IRS account (use id.me to prove you're allowed into that account, then scroll to the notifications section and under the Refund Status Now Available link, there may or may not be a link that says Verify Your Tax Return Information Now, and THAT is the link to verify with the IRS... And you have to wait for the letter from the IRS because there is a number on there you have to give them)
Source: Personal (I've been self-filing for 20 years. I've had an IRS account for 10 years. I had to verify last year, as well)
