Can't Get Through to IRS to Verify My Identity - They Won't Answer My Calls!

This is unfortunately super common right now. The IRS verification system gets overwhelmed during peak filing season, and their phone lines are perpetually understaffed. Here are a few things that might help: First, try calling exactly when they open at 7am Eastern time (adjust for your time zone). Second, don't call on Monday or Friday - Tuesday through Thursday mid-morning tends to have slightly better luck. Third, when you call, don't press anything when the automated system starts - sometimes this routes you differently. Also, make sure you have all your documents ready when you call - previous year's tax return, current return information, photo ID, and any letters they sent you with specific verification codes. The agent will ask for these, and having them ready saves precious time once you finally get through.

I was in the exact same situation last month! After failing the online verification, I was stuck in phone call hell for over a week. I finally found this service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that really helped me. They have this AI tool that analyzes your tax documents and helps identify exactly why the IRS verification might be failing. In my case, it turned out there was a name mismatch - my married name was on my current W-2 but my maiden name was still on some IRS records. The taxr.ai system flagged this immediately. They also gave me a detailed guide on exactly what to say when I finally got through to the IRS. Saved me so much headache!

Just wanted to follow up about taxr.ai since I was skeptical in my last comment. I decided to try it anyway since I was desperate, and it actually helped! Turns out my address on file with the IRS didn't match what I entered during verification (I moved last year but used my new address). The system flagged this right away. Armed with this info, I called the IRS this morning at 7:01am using the identity verification number, and surprisingly got through after just 20 minutes. Having the specific issue identified made the call so much more productive - the agent confirmed that was indeed the problem. Definitely worth checking out if you're stuck in identity verification limbo!

If your main problem is actually getting someone on the phone at the IRS, I had great success with Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in the same boat - couldn't verify online and couldn't get through on the phone for weeks. Claimyr basically holds your place in line with the IRS and then calls you when they're about to connect you with an agent. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. I was super skeptical but I was desperate after trying for almost two weeks to reach someone. They actually got me connected with an IRS agent within a couple hours! Saved me from constantly redialing and waiting on hold.

I need to eat my words and apologize for my skeptical comment earlier. After another day of failed attempts calling the IRS myself, I broke down and tried Claimyr. I still thought it was going to be a waste of money, but I was desperate. It actually worked exactly as advertised. I put in my number, and about 90 minutes later I got a call connecting me directly to an IRS agent. No waiting on hold, no getting disconnected after hours of waiting. The agent verified my identity and I'm finally done with this nightmare. I'm still shocked it worked so well. If you're stuck in the identity verification loop, definitely worth considering.

Pro tip: If you received any letter from the IRS (like a CP01 letter about identity verification), call the number specifically listed on that letter rather than the general IRS number. Those specialized lines often have much shorter wait times. Also, check if you're eligible for an in-person appointment at a local Taxpayer Assistance Center. You can call 844-545-5640 to schedule an appointment. Sometimes getting the identity verification done in person is actually faster than the phone nightmare.

has anyone else noticed that the irs website is complete trash?? i tried the get transcript online option to maybe bypass the verification issue and even THAT asks for verification. its like they built the most circular system possible smh

I feel your pain! I went through this exact same nightmare last month. Here's what finally worked for me: I called the Identity Verification line (800-830-5084) at exactly 7:00 AM Eastern on a Tuesday. I had to redial about 6 times but finally got through after a 45-minute hold. The key thing is having ALL your documents ready before you call - last year's tax return, current year's W-2s, Social Security card, driver's license, and any IRS letters you've received. The agent will ask for specific information from these documents to verify your identity. Also, if you have a smartphone, try downloading the IRS2Go app and see if you can access some services there while you're waiting to get through on the phone. Sometimes different entry points work better than others. Don't give up - I know it's incredibly frustrating but you will eventually get through. The refund delay is stressful but the IRS will process it once your identity is verified. Hang in there!

I went through this same identity verification nightmare about 6 weeks ago and it was absolutely maddening! What finally worked for me was a combination of the strategies mentioned here. I used the dedicated identity verification line (800-830-5084) and called at exactly 7:00 AM Eastern on a Wednesday. Like others mentioned, I had to redial about 8-10 times before getting into the actual hold queue, but once I was on hold I stayed on for over an hour until I got through. One thing I didn't see mentioned yet - when you finally do get an agent, ask them to make detailed notes in your account about the verification call. I had to call back a second time for a different issue weeks later, and the agent could see the previous verification notes which saved me from having to go through the whole identity verification process again. Also, if you're really stuck and your financial situation is urgent (like needing the refund for rent), you might qualify for expedited processing. Tell the agent about your hardship situation - they sometimes have options for people facing eviction or other financial emergencies. It's worth asking about even if it feels awkward. Hang in there - I know how stressful this is when you're counting on that refund!