CP5071 Notice: How to verify identity with IRS? Delaying tax refund!

Ugh, I went through this last year. It's a pain but not impossible. You'll need: • Your prior year's tax return • Current year's tax return (if you've filed) • Any IRS letters you've received Make sure you have all these ready before you call. It'll save you a lot of headache.

I found a way to actually get someone on the phone. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/Dx2idC_6ku8

pro tip: call right when they open in the morning. youll have a much better chance of getting through quickly

Am I the only one who thinks its ridiculous that we have to jump through all these hoops just to get our own money back? 🤔 The IRS needs to get their act together fr

Has anyone tried using the IRS Identity Verification Service online? I heard it's faster than calling.

Quick question - does anyone know if this affects state tax returns too? Or is it just federal?

LPT: While you're waiting for this to get sorted, start gathering docs for next year's taxes. Trust me, future you will thank you 😉

I went through this exact same thing last month! Here's what worked for me: I called the number on the CP5071 notice at 8am sharp when they opened. Had my Social Security card, driver's license, and last year's tax return ready. The agent walked me through some verification questions about my tax history and previous addresses. Took about 45 minutes total on the phone, but my refund was released within a week after that. Don't panic - it's just a security measure and you'll get through it! 💪

I just went through this nightmare last week! Here's what I learned the hard way: make sure you have your W-2s and 1099s handy too, not just your tax returns. They asked me about specific income amounts from my current year filing that weren't on my prior year return. Also, if you've moved recently, write down ALL your addresses from the past few years with approximate dates - they asked me about addresses going back 3 years. One more thing - they might put you on hold multiple times during the call to "verify information" so don't hang up thinking you got disconnected. The whole process was nerve-wracking but totally doable. Good luck! 🍀

Just want to add my experience to help ease some anxiety! I got the CP5071 notice about 6 weeks ago and successfully verified through the online portal (ID.me) without having to call. The key was having a good scan of my driver's license and being patient with the selfie verification process - it took a few tries but eventually worked. If you can't get through online, definitely try the phone route others mentioned. Also, don't stress too much about remembering every detail perfectly - they understand people move around and might not recall exact dates. The IRS agents were actually pretty helpful and patient when I had to call for a different issue. Your refund isn't lost, it's just temporarily held while they make sure you're really you. Hang in there! 🤞

Just wanted to chime in with some encouragement! I know getting that CP5071 notice is super stressful, but you've got this! 💪 Reading through all these responses, it sounds like everyone who stuck with the process got it resolved. A few things that haven't been mentioned yet: if you're married filing jointly, make sure your spouse is available during the call too - they might need to verify both of you. Also, I'd recommend calling from a quiet place where you can focus and take notes. The verification process can feel overwhelming but the agents really are there to help you, not to make your life difficult. One last tip - if you get disconnected or the call doesn't go well the first time, don't give up! Sometimes it just takes a second attempt with a different agent. You'll get your refund, it's just taking the scenic route! 😊

I just went through this exact situation a couple months ago and wanted to share what worked for me! The CP5071 notice is definitely scary at first, but it's really just the IRS being extra cautious about identity verification. Here's my step-by-step experience: I called the number on the notice at exactly 7:59am (they open at 8am) and got through after about 20 minutes on hold. The agent was actually really professional and walked me through everything patiently. They asked for my SSN, DOB, filing status, and then some questions about my tax history - like amounts from previous years' returns and addresses I've lived at in the past 3-4 years. The whole call took maybe 30-40 minutes, and my refund was released exactly 9 days later! Pro tip: have your last 2-3 years of tax returns pulled up on your computer or printed out, along with this year's return if you filed already. Also write down your address history with approximate dates beforehand. Don't panic - thousands of people go through this every year and it gets resolved! You've got this! 💪