The IRS Tax Kiosk Closures happened because the machines were old, often broken, and very few people were using them anymore. A federal report showed that many kiosks were not working, and the IRS was spending too much money to keep the outdated equipment running. Instead of fixing the kiosks, the IRS is moving all services online so taxpayers can get transcripts, make payments, and check their accounts more safely and quickly from home.
What Were IRS Tax Kiosks?
Imagine a public computer that was set up just for tax help. That’s what a tax kiosk was!
Purpose of the IRS Self-Service Kiosk Program
The IRS started the kiosk program around 2011 to help people do simple tax tasks by themselves inside an IRS office.
- Why they started: The kiosks were meant to give people a way to use the IRS website ($IRS.gov$) to get things done without having to wait in a long line to talk to an IRS employee.
- Where they were: They were located in some of the Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs), which are the walk-in IRS offices across the country.
Services IRS Tax Kiosks Provided
The kiosks let taxpayers do things that only needed a computer and internet access. These services included:
- Getting tax transcripts: These are papers that show your past tax return information.
- Applying for an EIN: An Employer Identification Number is like a Social Security number for a business.
- Using online tools: They connected people to tools like “Where’s My Refund” or the Free File program.
- Making payments: You could use the computer to pay your taxes online.
In April 2024, there were 100 kiosks spread out over 37 TACs in the U.S.
IRS Tax Kiosk Closures – Official News and Timeline
The IRS decided to stop using these kiosks and is not replacing them.
When Did IRS Announce the Closures?
The IRS decided to stop the program after a group called the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) wrote a report about the kiosks. TIGTA is like a watchdog that checks to make sure the IRS is doing a good job.
- In August 2025, after TIGTA raised concerns, the IRS announced it was ending the kiosk program.
- The IRS chose not to renew a contract they had with a company that was supposed to keep the machines working.
How Many Kiosks Are Affected?
All 100 kiosks in all 37 Taxpayer Assistance Centers across the country are being shut down.
Federal Reports Behind the Decision
The TIGTA audit findings were a big reason for the closure:
- TIGTA found that by early 2024, only 55 out of the 100 kiosks were actually working! 40 of them were completely broken, and some had been broken for a very long time (sometimes over a year) because the repair company was too slow.
- The TIGTA report also said the kiosks were using very old technology (they were 13 years old) and were hard to use, even having an old-style “trackball” instead of a regular computer mouse.
Why Are IRS Tax Kiosks Being Closed?
IRS reasons 3 The main reasons the IRS closed the program were simple: they were broken, nobody was using them much, and the IRS has a better, newer plan.
Reason 1 – Low Usage and Declining Visitor Numbers
Fewer and fewer people were using the kiosks.
- In 2017, over 80,000 taxpayers used them.
- From January to July 2024, only about 4,600 people used them. The broken machines were a big reason for this drop.
Reason 2 – Many Kiosks Became Inoperable
A big problem was that so many of the machines simply stopped working. The company that was paid around $500,000 each year to fix them was not doing a good job.
Reason 3 – High Maintenance Costs
The IRS was paying a lot of money (that $500,000 a year) for machines that weren’t even working! It became too expensive to keep them running, especially the old, outdated machines.
Reason 4 & 6 – Shift Toward Online IRS Services and Digital Transformation Initiative
The IRS is trying to become more modern. They want taxpayers to be able to do everything they need online from home using their own computers or phones. This move to digital services is a big part of the IRS’s long-term plan.
How IRS Tax Kiosk Closures Affect Taxpayers
For people who already use a computer or phone at home, this change won’t matter much. But for others, it means they might have to change how they get help.
- Transcript Requests Now Move Fully Online: If you used the kiosk to get a copy of your tax records (tax transcript), you will now have to request it online or call the IRS.
- Impact on Taxpayers Without Internet Access: For people who don’t have a computer or internet at home, this is the biggest problem. The kiosk was their only way to get online in a safe place to do tax things. Now, they must find another way to use the internet or call the IRS for an appointment.
IRS Alternatives After Kiosk Shutdown
The IRS is encouraging everyone to use their newer, better online services.
IRS Online Account (Primary Alternative)
This is the best replacement. You can create a free account on the IRS website to:
- See how much you owe.
- Check your payment history.
- Make payments directly from your bank account (IRS Direct Pay).
- Get your tax transcripts.
ID.me Identity Verification
To make sure your online account is safe and secure, the IRS uses a service called ID.me to prove that you are really you. You will do this from your own computer or phone.
In-Person TAC Assistance
If you really need to talk to someone, the IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) are still open.
- You must call ahead to book an appointment. They usually won’t help you with complex questions if you just walk in.
- You must bring specific documents like a photo ID to your appointment.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
This program offers free tax preparation help for people who have lower incomes or are elderly. These places can often help you use the internet for your tax needs.
Will the IRS Bring Back the Kiosks in the Future?
Statements From IRS Officials suggest the old kiosks will not come back.
- The IRS said they will look into the idea of creating a new, modern self-service option for people in the future, like perhaps providing updated computers or laptops in the TAC offices.
- However, they are mostly focused on improving their digital tools so you can get all your business done from home.
IRS Tax Kiosk Closures – What Taxpayers Should Do Now
The best thing to do is to learn how to use the IRS online tools:
- Step 1: Create an IRS Online Account
- Step 2: Complete identity verification using the ID.me service.
- Step 3: Request transcripts through your new online account.
- Step 4: Make IRS payments online using IRS Direct Pay.
FAQs About IRS Tax Kiosk Closures
Why is the IRS removing kiosks?
They were removed because they were old and broken, hardly anyone was using them, and the IRS wants people to use their new online tools instead.
What services are no longer available?
All the services are still available, but you must do them online from home or by making a phone call, rather than using the kiosk in the IRS office.
What are the best alternatives?
The IRS Online Account and making a phone appointment at a Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) are the best alternatives.
How can disabled or elderly taxpayers get help?
They can get free help from programs like VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) or TCE (Tax Counseling for the Elderly) or call the IRS to make an in-person appointment at a TAC.
IRS shutdown 2025 update
It is currently December 10, 2025 (UTC) and the United States government has been partially shut down since October, 2025. Most of the I.R.S.’s operations are currently closed because of a partial government shutdown, and almost half its work force has been furloughed.
Conclusion: Saying Goodbye to Tax Kiosks
Here is a simple summary of why the IRS closed its self-service tax kiosks and what it means for people like you.
Summary of Changes
- The IRS has shut down all its self-service Tax Kiosks at its offices (TACs).
- Kiosk services (like getting tax transcripts) are still available, but have moved entirely online.
Why the Closures Happened
- The kiosks were very old and often broken.
- Maintenance costs were high but usage was low.
- The IRS is moving towards a Digital Transformation strategy, focusing on letting you do everything online from home.
What You Need to Do Now
- Priority 1: Create an IRS Online Account and use the ID.me service to verify your identity. This is the easiest way to handle most tax business from home.
- If you need in-person help: You must call to make an appointment before visiting a TAC office.
Switching to the new online tools makes dealing with the IRS faster, more secure, and more convenient for everyone.
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