Can I file my 2024 tax return if I never completed IRS verification for my 2023 taxes?

You can absolutely still file your 2024 tax return even if your 2023 verification remains incomplete. The IRS treats each tax year as a separate case, so technically there's nothing preventing you from submitting your 2024 return on time. However, there are some important things to be aware of. Your 2023 refund (if you were due one) is likely being held until you complete that verification process. And while you can file your 2024 return, there's a possibility the IRS may flag it for additional verification given your history with the previous year. I'd recommend taking care of the 2023 verification ASAP. You have a few options - you can call the IRS directly to explain your situation, schedule an appointment at a local Taxpayer Assistance Center, or try to request a new verification letter be sent to your current address. Getting this resolved will help ensure smoother processing for both tax years.

I went through something similar last year and found this service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that was a lifesaver. I was stressing about my unresolved verification issue from a prior year just like you. Their AI analyzed my tax documents and actually flagged exactly why the IRS probably sent the verification letter in the first place - in my case it was a mismatch between my reported income and what my employer submitted. They helped me prepare documentation to resolve it and gave me precise instructions on what to do next. For your current situation, they could probably help identify whether there's anything in your 2023 return that triggered the verification and give you guidance on filing your 2024 return safely. It saved me hours of anxiety and guesswork.

Just wanted to follow up and say I tried out taxr.ai after reading about it here. Honestly didn't expect much but uploaded my documents from last year and wow - it immediately spotted that I had reported a 1099 income amount incorrectly which is probably what triggered my verification letter! The system generated a letter I could send to the IRS explaining the situation and gave me step-by-step instructions for resolving it. I also ran my 2024 info through it before filing and it flagged a potential issue with some deductions I was planning to take. Totally worth it for the peace of mind. Already filed my 2024 return without any problems while I'm still sorting out the 2023 verification.

Hey, I had the EXACT same issue last year. Tried calling the IRS for weeks - always busy or ridiculous wait times. Finally found Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and it changed everything. They have this system that basically holds your place in line with the IRS and calls you back when an agent is available. Check out their demo video if you're curious: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I was able to explain my situation to the IRS agent who told me exactly what to do about my missed verification. Once I got a human on the phone, it was resolved in like 15 minutes. They sent a new verification letter to my current address and I sorted everything out. Definitely worth trying instead of wasting days trying to get through on your own.

I need to eat my words about Claimyr. After posting my skeptical comment, I decided to try it since I also needed to talk to the IRS about a completely different issue. I was absolutely convinced it wouldn't work, but within about 2 hours, I got a call back and was connected to an actual IRS agent. The agent was able to look up my account and confirm that yes, I need to complete verification for last year before this year's refund will process normally. They also sent a new verification letter to my current address. So to answer the original question - you CAN file for 2024, but you should really get 2023 sorted out first or you'll likely face delays again. Never would have known this without actually speaking to someone at the IRS.

Just be careful filing electronically for 2024 if your 2023 return is still unprocessed. Sometimes the e-file system will reject your current year return if the previous year is still pending in their system. It happened to me last year. You might need to paper file if that happens, which is a pain but at least gets your return in by the deadline. Definitely keep copies of everything and maybe include a brief explanation letter with your 2024 return if you have to mail it.

One thing nobody has mentioned is that you should also check with your state tax agency! I had a similar federal issue but didn't realize it was also affecting my state return. Turns out my state was holding my refund because the IRS hadn't completed processing my federal return. Each state has different policies, but worth checking so you don't end up with problems on both levels.

This is such a stressful situation, but you're definitely not alone in dealing with this! I went through something similar two years ago when I moved during tax season and missed my verification letter. One thing I learned is that the IRS verification process can take several months even after you respond, so definitely start working on resolving your 2023 issue now rather than waiting until after you file 2024. When I finally got through to the IRS (took forever on the phone), they explained that having an unresolved verification doesn't technically prevent you from filing the next year's return, but it can create complications. In my case, both my 2022 and 2023 refunds were held up until I completed the verification process. The agent told me this is pretty common - they basically put a "freeze" on your account until identity verification is complete, which can affect multiple tax years. My advice: definitely file your 2024 return on time to avoid penalties, but prioritize getting that 2023 verification sorted ASAP. If you can't get through by phone, try visiting a local IRS office or see if you can create an online account to check your status. The sooner you resolve it, the sooner both refunds should process.