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The IRS sent me a letter asking me to verify my Identity Why??

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
June 7, 2019
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TurboTax Deluxe Online

Best answer by KatyeH

If the IRS suspects that a tax return with your name on it is potentially the result of identity theft, the agency will send you a special letter, called a 5071C Letter. This letter is to notify you that the agency received a tax return with your name and Social Security number and it believes it may not be yours. The letter asks you to take specific steps to verify your identity and confirm whether or not the return is actually yours.

Here's how to handle those requests:

Online at the IRS Identity Verification Service website
By phone at the toll-free number listed on your 5071C Letter

The IRS prefers that taxpayers use the online system; because phone callers may experience delays due to the high volume of calls the IRS receives. The phone number on your letter can be used only for verification purposes, not for any other tax issues.

The ID Verify website or phone system asks questions that only you can answer correctly. What you will need:

Your previous year's tax return
Your current year's tax return
All supporting forms and schedules

If the verification proves you are the person named on the return and that you personally filed the return, the return will be processed. After successful verification, it takes about 6 weeks to complete processing.

The return will be rejected and investigated as identity theft/tax fraud if:

Verification fails to confirm your identity or that you filed the return
If the verification process is not completed, or can't be completed

Respond to all requests from the IRS to validate your identity in order to avoid automatic rejection of what could be a valid tax return.

K

KatyeHAnswer

Employee

If the IRS suspects that a tax return with your name on it is potentially the result of identity theft, the agency will send you a special letter, called a 5071C Letter. This letter is to notify you that the agency received a tax return with your name and Social Security number and it believes it may not be yours. The letter asks you to take specific steps to verify your identity and confirm whether or not the return is actually yours.

Here's how to handle those requests:

Online at the IRS Identity Verification Service website
By phone at the toll-free number listed on your 5071C Letter

The IRS prefers that taxpayers use the online system; because phone callers may experience delays due to the high volume of calls the IRS receives. The phone number on your letter can be used only for verification purposes, not for any other tax issues.

The ID Verify website or phone system asks questions that only you can answer correctly. What you will need:

Your previous year's tax return
Your current year's tax return
All supporting forms and schedules

If the verification proves you are the person named on the return and that you personally filed the return, the return will be processed. After successful verification, it takes about 6 weeks to complete processing.

The return will be rejected and investigated as identity theft/tax fraud if:

Verification fails to confirm your identity or that you filed the return
If the verification process is not completed, or can't be completed

Respond to all requests from the IRS to validate your identity in order to avoid automatic rejection of what could be a valid tax return.

D

dsparr

They do not want you to complete anything on the web site. They want you to call 800-830-5084

A

akhan151987

I filed on April 11 accepted on 13th April

bars disappeared on 16th was told they need to check something in my 2

w2 on July 28 was send a id verification letter verified identity on 4th August. Was told 9 weeks wait today on 8th August my

bars are back up with DD 12 August could be sooner I guess

C

Clytnjms

How long did it actually end up being? I filed my taxes late and just had to verify my identity too.

A

Armajm

Ive misplaced the letter...what do i do now?

D

Dougster2

my issue isn't solved by this reply

A

Analexander7510

I have recently filed my federal taxes and I'd received a letter telling me to identify myself. How can I identify myself online if I have no student loan,no credit card,no home equity? The IRS are close and aren't accepting calls at this time.

macuser_22

Employee

@Analexander7510 wrote:

I have recently filed my federal taxes and I'd received a letter telling me to identify myself. How can I identify myself online if I have no student loan,no credit card,no home equity? The IRS are close and aren't accepting calls at this time.

Follow the directions in the letter. You might need to call the IRS when they re-open.

**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**

1

1975jsampson

I'm having the exact same issue...was you ever able to figure out how to get your I'd verified?

D

Dougster2

@1975jsampson

No. I tried calling but no one is home. Not even at the taxadvocate number that came as the cover to the IRS 5017C.

What I can't understand is why TurboTax didn't address the differences in current address and address shown on W2's. Whereas H & R Block software does.

What also concerns me is the stipulation that you have to contact them within 30 days of the date of the letter. Hopefully the IRS doesn't have an automatic flag in place that flags accounts that didn't respond in 30 days creating a further delay.

Is that an issue for you having a different address then what was shown on the W2 or other documents?

What also concerns me is the 5017C states that they need

macuser_22

Employee

@Dougster2 wrote:

@1975jsampson

What I can't understand is why TurboTax didn't address the differences in current address and address shown on W2's. Whereas H & R Block software does.

The address on the W-2 does not get entered into TurboTax and is often different than the address on the tax return. Many people move and/or file tax returns from a different address than the address that the employer has for the W-2. A different address does not necessary trigger an IRS identity check.

**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**

C

Chuckieblack

I recieved a 5071c form from irs and ive tried to create an account on irs.gov the identity verification. But it wont let me and also cant contact anyone on the phone due to covid 19. So i was wondering if i could do it by mail

K

Kdubu34

Same situation..... I have been trying to create a irs account for 3weeks now but it continues saying info doesn't match.?! Besides for 2019 I haven't filed since 2013. I have tried everything, my thirty days will expire in a couple days and I can not reach anyone to do anything. 🤬

T

TiniBoo 22

Omg! Same, same, same! I totally thought I was the only one with these issues! My 30 days was up yesterday, called that Tax Assistance number a few times, left message with my situation & contact info. ..they say they will do their best to respond in 3 days, it's been like a week & half. I havent got my stimulus check and when check on website, it says not available at this time. I check i.r.s. where's my return? It says still being processed. I dont know what to do so because I've filed all prior years & never had an issue, I've made an appointment with H & R block tmrw, I will come and update you all after. P.s. I believe it is an issue with address changes & also cannot make an online account cos no credit card or loans ever. This is such bull. Not acceptable, Turbo Tax. Crooks

macuser_22

Employee

@TiniBoo 22 wrote:

Omg! Same, same, same! I totally thought I was the only one with these issues! My 30 days was up yesterday, called that Tax Assistance number a few times, left message with my situation & contact info. ..they say they will do their best to respond in 3 days, it's been like a week & half. I havent got my stimulus check and when check on website, it says not available at this time. I check i.r.s. where's my return? It says still being processed. I dont know what to do so because I've filed all prior years & never had an issue, I've made an appointment with H & R block tmrw, I will come and update you all after. P.s. I believe it is an issue with address changes & also cannot make an online account cos no credit card or loans ever. This is such bull. Not acceptable, Turbo Tax. Crooks

TurboTax has NOTHING to do with the stimulus whatsoever - that is the IRS.

The stimulus will not happen until the 2019 return has been fully processed. That is totally up to the IRS. You are wasting your time (and money) going to H&R (or any one else) because once a return has been accepted by the IRS nothing more can be done.

**********************************************************************************************
**NOTE*** Due to the Corona virus the IRS is operating short staffed. All field offices are closed and some processing centers are all but closed. Any tax return that requires hand processing will probably have long delays. Mailed returns are not being processed at all at this time. Most phone service has been curtailed.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue
**********************************************************************************************

Each tax return is evaluated on it's own merits. There is no first-in-first-out. Two similar tax return submitted at the same time can have totally different processing times based on IRS criteria for examining tax returns that the IRS does not divulge.

Some returns will be held for ID verification or other verification. The IRS will send a letter if they require more information to process your tax return.

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/refund-timing

**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**

L

lindag120

I received a letter from the IRS on 02/19/2020. The letter # is 4464C to verify my accuracy of my tax return. Its been over 60 days and I have not received my refund. Please can you help me in this matter.