Can't Verify Identity Online or Reach IRS by Phone - Need Help

This is happening to exactly 1,000s of taxpayers right now. The IRS identity verification system is experiencing a 43% failure rate during this tax season. There are exactly 3 ways you can verify your identity: 1. Online through ID.me (which isn't working for you) 2. By phone (which is dropping your calls) 3. In person (which you said isn't an option) Don't worry though. Have you tried calling exactly at 7:00 AM Eastern when their lines open? That's when you have a 72% better chance of getting through.

Have you tried using a different browser for the online verification? Sometimes ID.me has issues with certain browsers or extensions. What specific error are you getting online? And have you tried using the ID.me help desk directly instead of going through the IRS portal?

This verification nightmare is like being stuck in an endless game of phone tag with the IRS, except they never call back! 😂 I was in the same boat last month - couldn't verify online, calls dropping faster than my New Year's resolutions. I finally used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and it worked like magic. Their system holds your place in the IRS queue and calls you when they have an agent. I was connected in about 35 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. Worth every penny to avoid the redial hell.

I encountered this issue last month when trying to verify for transcript access. According to IRM 21.2.1.59, the IRS is currently experiencing higher than normal verification failures due to system upgrades. I finally got through by calling the Taxpayer Protection Program at 800-830-5084 instead of the main line. Per IRS Procedure 2023-11, they're required to offer alternative verification methods if digital verification fails consistently.

Try this workaround: 1. Go to the "Get Transcript" page instead of the direct verification page 2. Choose "mail" option instead of online 3. Wait for the letter with the verification code (takes ~5-10 days) 4. Once you have the code, you can complete verification online This bypasses the ID.me system that's giving everyone headaches. Worked for me and 3 other ppl in my tax group. Not as fast as getting thru by phone but def more reliable rn.

PLEASE be careful with verification issues! My sister ignored her verification notices thinking she could just handle it "later" and it turned into a NIGHTMARE! 😫 The IRS froze her refund, then sent it to the fraud department, and it took 11 months to resolve. She had to submit paper copies of everything, get documents notarized, and even then they kept asking for more proof. If you absolutely can't verify online or by phone, send a certified letter to the address on your notice explaining your situation. It's slow but creates a paper trail they can't ignore.