IRS Code 8016 informs you that you cannot access your IRS account due to a backend problem.
The reasons this error code might pop up on your screen when trying to log in to your IRS account are usually related to factors you cannot control. The code doesn’t suggest your account is blocked or that there’s something wrong with your tax return.
Finding information about the code can be challenging because none of the IRS code manuals mention it. We’ll explain what this code means and show you what to do to access your account.
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Interpreting IRS Code 8016
Transaction and reference codes relay different information to taxpayers. However, IRS Code 8016 is neither a transaction nor a reference code, so you won’t find it on your tax account transcript or in the Where’s My Refund app.
This error code appears after a failed attempt to log in to an online IRS account that gives you access to tax transcripts, adjusted gross income, Child Tax Credit payments, and other valuable information.
It suggests a server-side issue that temporarily prevents you from accessing your account. ‘Something went wrong, please try again’ message accompanies the code.
So, in most cases, doing what the message asks you to will resolve the problem and enable you to continue using your IRS account normally.
If the issue persists for more than a few minutes, it’s probably because of one of the following reasons:
- The IRS servers are overwhelmed by a vast number of visitors
- ID.me verification process failed
- Your web browser’s cache is full
- IRS website servers are down
- Using ITIN to verify your identity during login
- Your internet connection is unstable
What is ID.me?
ID.me is an identity verification technology the IRS utilizes to check each user’s identity while logging in. You must have an ID.me account to access your IRS account and use different services.
Like all digital tools, ID.me isn’t flawless, which means that it will occasionally encounter technical problems. As a result, Code 8016 will show up on your screen, telling you that your login attempt has failed.
The IRS introduced ID.me identity verification a few years ago as a replacement for the Login.gov app, which failed to meet the agency’s expectations. ID.me can process over 1,500 identity verification requests per second, considerably more than Login.gov.
The signup process is straightforward. A new user has to provide their email address, phone number, digital copies of their ID, and a selfie. Taxpayers who don’t have SSNs can use their ITINs to verify their identities.
Attempting to log in to your IRS account with ITIN instead of SSN can trigger Code 8016. The easiest way to resolve the issue is to contact ID.me customer support and follow their instructions on accessing an IRS account with ITIN.
Once you set up an account on the IRS website, you can access it quickly by inserting your email and password. However, Code 8016 might pop up during this step if the ID.me platform isn’t working properly at the moment or the IRS website servers are temporarily down.
Fixing IRS Code 8016
The issue that prompted the Code 8016 to appear on your screen will likely disappear shortly after your initial attempt to access your IRS account.
Consequently, doing nothing and being patient is often the simplest way to regain access to your account and solve the Code 8016 problem.
This code can be a little more irritating if you need immediate access to your IRS account and don’t have time to wait for the issue to resolve on its own.
We’ve put together a list of things that may solve the Code 8016 problem, but none of these solutions will work in all contexts.
Check the Internet Connection
Unstable or low bandwidth internet connection can make logging into your IRS account difficult. Review your network settings or troubleshoot problems if you think the internet connection is why Code 8016 keeps popping up on your screen.
The issue will sometimes disappear if you wait for the internet connection to stabilize. Resetting the router is also an option, as it may help to stabilize the home network.
That said, an unstable internet connection is rarely why Code 8016 appears on the screen when logging in to your IRS account.
Clear Your Browser’s Cache
All web browsers utilize cache to store static website elements and improve user experience. Put simply, cache helps load web pages faster and reduces bandwidth usage.
The size of cache memory depends on the web browser, and it usually varies from 1 GB to 2 GB. If your web browser’s cache memory is full, you’ll have to wait longer for web pages to load, and you may not be able to log in to some of your online accounts.
Clearing the cache might help you access your IRS account if you see Code 8016 repeatedly. Chances are that a server issue caused the Code 8016 problem if you can’t log in to your IRS account after clearing the cache and ensuring your internet connection is stable.
Try to Avoid High Traffic
Thousands, if not millions, of taxpayers visit the IRS website daily during the filing season. The website’s servers cannot handle such high traffic volume at all times, which is why you may be having trouble logging in to your account.
In this case, the solution is fairly simple. Try accessing your account early in the morning or in the evening when website traffic is lower than during the day.
Sometimes, all you need to do is wait for ten to twenty minutes before trying to log in t your account again, and the issue will disappear.
Wait Until the IRS Servers are Back Up
There’s nothing you can do but wait if the IRS website servers are down. The IRS usually performs routine server maintenance checks weekly. The information regarding when its servers will be down is available on the agency’s website.
Unscheduled server outages on the IRS website usually don’t last longer than thirty minutes, so you should just come back later if you got Code 8016 when logging into your account.
Optionally, you can use Downdetector to monitor IRS website outages and confirm that Code 8016 was caused by a server problem.
Contact the IRS Customer Service
You can try reaching out to the IRS Customer Account Services division by calling 877-829-5500 if the Code 8016 issue persists for a couple of days. Also, contacting ID.me customer support might help you get to the bottom of the Code 8016 problem.
This should be your last option because, in most cases, Code 8016 problems are resolved quickly. Before calling the IRS or emailing ID.me, you should try to log in to your IRS account several times and ask for help if each attempt fails.
The customer service agent will provide you with instructions you should follow to resolve the matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Don’t try to log in to your IRS account after seeing this code more than three times within 24 hours to avoid having your account blocked.
You don’t have to make a new IRS account if Code 8016 appears while logging in to your current account.
The IRS utilizes ID.me as its default identity verification app, and you must use it to log in to your account. You can adjust your ID.me account settings if you want to use the multi-factor authentication option or change your password.
ITIN users can verify their identities with ID.me, but they must complete a video call with an ID.me’s agent and provide CP565 notice before they can create an ID.me account. Using ITIN to log in to an IRS account can be why you’re seeing Code 8016.
Dealing With IRS Code 8016
The lack of information about IRS Code 8016 can make it difficult to understand why it pops up when you try to log in to your account. The code usually indicates a backend issue, such as high traffic or that a server is down.
Taxpayers who cannot obtain a Social Security Number from the Social Security Administration may also encounter this code when logging in to their IRS accounts. However, this only happens if you don’t complete the identity verification with ID.me’s video call agent.
The IRS Code 8016 usually disappears on its own, so you should only consider contacting the IRS or ID.me customer service if the code keeps appearing whenever you try to access your account.
Author:
Logan is a practicing CPA and founder of Choice Tax Relief and Money Done Right. After spending nearly a decade in the corporate world helping big businesses save money, he launched his blog with the goal of helping everyday Americans earn, save, and invest more money. Learn more about Logan.
