Called IRS After Blank Transcript Since January - Identity Verification Required

This is increasingly common under IRC §6110(k)(3) identity verification protocols. The IRS is statutorily required to verify identity before processing returns with certain criteria, particularly for self-employed individuals. What's concerning is that their notification system relies entirely on postal mail, with no digital alternatives despite the 2019 Taxpayer First Act specifically directing modernization of these communications. Current processing guidelines indicate approximately 60% of identity verification requests are triggered by algorithm rather than manual review, which explains why you weren't notified proactively through your tax account portal.

I experienced the same Identity Verification Hold (IVH) status last year. When you finally receive your transcript, it might contain TC 570 and 971 codes which indicate the verification hold. I found https://taxr.ai incredibly helpful for deciphering what was happening - it analyzed my transcript and explained that the specific combination of codes meant identity verification was needed. It even predicted when my refund would be released after verification. The IRS transcript codes can be quite technical, but this tool made it much easier to understand the holdup.

According to the IRS website (https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/identity-verification-for-irs-letter-recipients), there are actually two ways to verify your identity: 1. Online through ID.me (faster) 2. By calling the number on your letter (often longer wait times) The online verification usually processes within 21 days, while phone verification can take 6-8 weeks. Make sure to check the official IRS identity verification portal rather than waiting for the letter if you already know you need to verify.

You're facing a time-sensitive situation here. Compared to similar cases I've seen, waiting for that letter could add 3-4 weeks to your refund timeline. If you need to speak with an IRS representative to confirm exactly what verification steps you need to take, I'd recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I've seen cases exactly like yours where people waited months for letters that never arrived. Claimyr can get you connected to an IRS agent in minutes instead of spending hours on hold, and they can tell you precisely what steps to take next. With tax season ending soon, agent availability will only get worse.

I'm not convinced calling is always necessary. I filed on January 25th, 2024, and had a similar blank transcript situation. My letter arrived exactly on March 4th, which was 21 days after February 12th, just as they promised. Isn't it possible your letter is already on the way? Maybe wait until at least March 7th before paying for services to reach the IRS?

I waited exactly 47 days for my ID verification letter last year, and it never came! When I finally got through to the IRS after 126 minutes on hold, they told me a letter had been sent 32 days earlier. The system is broken! I had to request they resend it, which took another 14 days. If I had known calling sooner would have resolved this, I would have done it immediately. The complexity of this process is shocking - shouldn't there be an alert in the Where's My Refund tool at minimum?

Why does the IRS still rely on paper mail for such critical communications? Wouldn't it make more sense to use the email address we provide on our tax returns? I'm financially dependent on my refund this year and can't afford these delays. For those wondering, you can check if you need to verify your identity here: https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/verify-your-identity even without receiving the letter. I confirmed this with an agent yesterday after waiting on hold for 3 hours. They're experiencing higher than normal verification requests this year due to increased fraud prevention measures.

There's a specific IRS code for identity verification holds - TC 9504. If you can access any transcript at all, look for this code. It won't show on your account transcript until they've begun processing your return, but it explains the blank transcript situation many people are experiencing. The verification letter is officially called Letter 5071C, 5747C, or 4883C depending on your specific situation. If you know you need to verify, you can sometimes do it proactively through the IRS Identity Verification Service without waiting for the letter.