Georgia rolls out two-factor authentication for online tax services

Taxpayers who electronically file or pay sales taxes, motor fuel taxes, alcohol or tobacco taxes, or withhold state income taxes can now opt-in for a two-factor authentication program offered by the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR). In addition to user names and passwords, participating business taxpayers will receive an authentication code on their phone or email that they will use as a second factor to log into their Georgia Tax Center (GTC) accounts. Businesses that want to sign-up can log into their GTC profile and adjust their settings to participate.  More details are on DOR's website here.

The DOR is doing this to prevent unauthorized access and stay current with standard security measures. This is an encouraging step given the increase in cyber-security threats targeted against taxpayers and tax agencies.