ID verification requested by accountant

SMcGill

I’m not sure this is the right forum for my question but it’s about tax so here goes! Like another poster here I’m an accidental US citizen and I’m going through the process of filing US tax returns for the first time. My accountant has asked me for ID verification and asked me to sign an agreement relating to anti money laundering regulations. I don’t understand why this is relevant for me as I’m not transacting any money, only filing tax returns. Does the request seem usual or should I query with them? The permissions I’m being asked to give Experian and Equifax seem horrifyingly open so I’ve copied them here to see if others think the same or not. Thanks.

Experian “I understand that you will undertake a search with a Credit Reference Agency for the purposes of verifying my identity. To do so the Credit Reference Agency may check the details I supply against any particulars on any database (public or otherwise) to which they have access. They may also use my details in the future to assist other companies for verification purposes. A record of the search will be retained.”

Equifax (a) information which you provide to us may be disclosed to a credit reference agency, which may keep a record of that information; and (b) the credit reference agency may disclose that information, and the fact that a search was made, to its other customers for the purposes of assessing the risk of giving credit and occasionally to prevent fraud, money laundering and to trace debtors.

Jeremy535897

This is to do with anti money laundering regulations. It is about knowing your client. It is standard.

Pennywise

Accountants are legally required to do due diligence, part of which is that they have to "prove" your identity, so yes, perfectly normal.

SMcGill

Thanks both. My accountant today said I can refuse permission for Experian and Equifax to use my data for their other clients, as long as I sent him instead some other proofs of ID which I’m now gathering.