ICAM modernization is strengthening the digital taxpayer experience by improving identity assurance, access reliability, and fraud protection across IRS services. Through the eA3 program, Makpar has helped the IRS support more than 60 million users with a secure and scalable identity foundation that reduces friction, protects data, and enables faster, more resilient online services.
A Modern Identity Foundation
Federal agencies are under growing pressure to deliver digital services that are fast, secure, and easy to use.
For the IRS, this responsibility carries added complexity. Millions of taxpayers and tax professionals rely on the agency to access financial data, file returns, and manage sensitive personal information, and at the center of every one of these interactions is identity.
In the IRS environment, digital identity represents the verified digital presence of a taxpayer or authorized user. ICAM, or Identity, Credential, and Access Management, is the framework that governs how those identities are established, verified, and granted access across IRS systems.
When digital identity works well, the taxpayer experience improves. When it is inconsistent or unreliable, trust erodes quickly.
This is why ICAM modernization is foundational to IRS modernization efforts. Through eA3, Makpar has helped the IRS strengthen identity services in a way that supports scale, security, and mission continuity.
A Growing Identity Footprint
The IRS now supports secure access for more than 60 million registered users across dozens of taxpayer facing systems. This represents one of the largest and fastest growing ICAM environments in government.
As this population expanded, so did the need to clearly distinguish and strengthen the core components of identity.
- Identity assurance answers the question of who the user is and how confidently that identity has been verified.
- Authentication confirms that the user attempting to log in is the same individual who established the identity.
- Authorization determines what that user is allowed to access once authenticated.
Makpar’s approach ensures these elements work together as an integrated system rather than isolated controls.
What ICAM Modernization Looks Like in Practice
Through eA3, Makpar has delivered identity modernization grounded in federal standards and operational reality.
- Standards based identity assurance: Makpar aligns IRS identity services to NIST 800-63 guidelines, ensuring consistent digital identity proofing and authentication strength that matches risk levels across taxpayer services.
- Zero Trust aligned access control: ICAM under eA3 supports a Zero Trust model where access is continuously evaluated. Identity is never assumed, and every request is verified based on user context, behavior, and policy.
- Reliable access at national scale: Makpar helped improve system resilience during peak filing periods by modernizing authentication flows, optimizing infrastructure, and reducing points of failure.
- Stronger fraud protection: By strengthening identity signals and access enforcement, the IRS can detect anomalous behavior earlier and protect taxpayer accounts with greater precision.
- A smoother taxpayer experience: Clearer login paths, faster authentication, and fewer disruptions improve usability while maintaining strong security controls.
How Makpar Differentiates Its ICAM Approach
Makpar does not treat ICAM as a standalone security tool, but we treat it as mission infrastructure.
Our approach combines engineering discipline, federal compliance, and Zero Trust principles to deliver identity services that are scalable, measurable, and aligned to IRS operational needs. Through eA3, we focus on outcomes that matter to both users and the agency, including uptime, access consistency, security assurance, and performance under load.
Supporting Mission Success Through eA3
Every ICAM improvement supports broader IRS mission goals.
- A secure and trusted digital front door
- Faster access to taxpayer services
- Fair and consistent access enforcement
- Stronger protection of sensitive data
- Resilient operations during peak demand
Makpar supports these outcomes by delivering ICAM solutions that are compliant, interoperable, and designed for long term modernization.
Looking Ahead
As the IRS continues to expand digital services, ICAM will remain the foundation of the taxpayer experience. Future enhancements will leverage adaptive authorization, real time automation, and advanced identity analytics to further strengthen security and usability.
Makpar is committed to supporting the IRS through every stage of this evolution.
Ready to modernize identity? Schedule a brief discovery session with Makpar to discuss your agency’s ICAM and digital identity challenges, from NIST 800-63 proofing to Zero Trust enforcement. Let’s co‑develop a practical modernization path.
