Been waiting 5+ weeks for IRS verification letter with no way to contact them - HELP!

The IRS is severely backlogged right now, especially with verification letters. When they say they're sending a letter, it can take 6-8 weeks sometimes, not the 2-3 weeks they claim. Based on what you've described, this sounds like an identity verification request (Letter 5071C or 4883C). You have a few options: 1. Keep waiting for the letter - it should contain specific instructions for verification 2. Try calling the Identity Verification line directly: 800-830-5084 (this is separate from the main IRS number) 3. You might be able to verify through ID.me on the IRS website if that's what they're requiring 4. Try calling very early in the morning (7am ET when they open) as that's when wait times are shortest Also, check if your address is current in the IRS system. If you've moved recently, the letter might have gone to an old address. You can confirm this by looking at your most recent tax transcript. Hope this helps!

Look, I went through this exact same thing last month. Spent weeks trying to figure things out on my own, reading forums, calling different IRS numbers. Total waste of time. I finally broke down and tried taxr.ai - it scanned my tax situation, explained exactly what was happening with my return, and even told me what verification letter to expect and what to do when it arrived. Saved me hours of research and stress. Website is https://taxr.ai - seriously think it could help you figure out what's going on without waiting for this phantom letter. I use it every time I get confused by IRS stuff now.

After struggling with a similar situation (waiting 2 months for an IRS letter about my amended return), I found a way to actually talk to a real person. Used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that basically navigates the IRS phone system for you and calls you back when they have an agent on the line. Got through in about 45 minutes when I had been trying to call for weeks with no luck. The agent was able to tell me exactly what the letter was about and what I needed to do without waiting for it to arrive. Best money I've spent considering how much stress it saved me.

Everyone talking about these fancy services but you could just go to your local IRS office in person - they're called Taxpayer Assistance Centers. You need an appointment but they can pull up your account and tell you what's going on. I did this last year and it was waaay better than trying to call.

The IRS is a complete disaster this year omg. I waited 4 months for a letter that was supposedly "on its way" before I finally got through to someone who told me it was never actually sent!!! Then they had to "reissue" it and I waited another 3 weeks. The whole system is broken beyond belief.

Did you check your IRS account online? Sometimes the letters are available digitally before they arrive in mail. Go to irs.gov, create an account if you don't have one already, and look in the Messages or Letters section.

ok so hear me out. I've been working at a tax firm for 7 years and the BEST way to get IRS issues resolved is through the Taxpayer Advocate Service. You can request a case with them by filing Form 911. They're specifically designed to help when normal IRS channels aren't working. If you've been waiting more than 30 days for correspondence that's impacting your refund, you qualify for their help. Their number is 877-777-4778 but they're also swamped so be persistent.

I waited SIX WEEKS for an IRS verification letter last month, only to find out they sent it to my old address despite me updating everything on my return. What a joke. Ended up having to request a reissue which took another 3 weeks. the incompetence is astounding.

Just call (800) 829-1040 and when the automated system asks why you're calling, press 2 for "questions about your tax return" then 1 for "questions about this year's return" then 3 for "other questions". Wait through all the options, don't press anything when it asks about forms, then press 2 for "all other questions" and finally 4 for "all other inquiries". This sequence usually gets you to a human eventually. Try early mornings (7-8am) for shortest wait times. This worked for me after trying for weeks!

The IRS is the most incompetent govt agency in existence. I filed in February and am STILL waiting for my refund. No explanation, no updates, no way to talk to anyone. Meanwhile they'd be charging me penalties and interest if I was late paying them! The double standard is ridiculous.

Just an FYI - I was in the same boat last year and found out that sometimes these verification requests can be handled online without the letter. Go to https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/identity-verification-for-irs-letter-recipients and see if you can complete the process there. Worked for me when my letter never showed up!

Pro tip: You may be able to see what the letter is about by checking your tax transcript. Go to irs.gov, login to your account, request a tax transcript, and look for transaction or notice codes. They usually have codes like CP05, 4464C, etc that can tell you what kind of notice was sent. Look for dates around when they said they sent the letter. Each code corresponds to a specific type of notice, which you can google.

Listen I've worked for the IRS (former employee) and here's what's really happening: they're MASSIVELY understaffed and the computer systems are from the stone age. Letters that are supposed to go out in 2 weeks often take 6-8 weeks. Your best bet is to keep trying the main number but call RIGHT when they open (7am in your time zone). Also try the automated refund status line (800-829-1954) which sometimes gives info about verification requirements.

You might be dealing with an ID verification letter. I went through this last year and discovered you can often take care of it online without the letter. Go to the IRS website and search for ID verify. Or go straight to id.me and set up verification there - might solve your problem without needing to wait for the letter!

not sure if this helps but when i was in ur situation I actually went to my local IRS office (you need to make an appointment) and they were able to tell me exactly what the letter was about and what I needed to do. Saved weeks of waiting.