Does it actually take 16 days to receive verification letter from IRS?

Tax professional here. The IRS generally sends identity verification letters (CP01 or 5071C letters) within 2-3 weeks, but it can sometimes take longer depending on their current backlog. The 16-day timeframe they gave you is fairly standard but not guaranteed. A few things to note: - The countdown typically starts from when they process the request for the letter, not when you called - Mail delivery times vary by location - If you don't receive it within 20-25 days, you should call back You mentioned your online verification didn't work - was this through ID.me or the IRS Identity Verification Service? Sometimes trying again after a few days works. Also, have you checked your transcripts online to see if there's any movement on your return?

Honestly waiting on the IRS is the worst. I was in your exact situation last year and got so frustrated trying to piece together what was happening with my return. Finally found taxr.ai and it made everything so much clearer. It analyzed my transcript and explained exactly what was going on with my verification hold and projected timeline. Saved me so much anxiety instead of just blindly waiting. Check it out at https://taxr.ai if you're tired of guessing what's happening with your return.

I was stuck waiting forever for my verification letter too. After two weeks of nothing, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual IRS agent on the phone. Got my issue resolved in one call instead of waiting for that stupid letter. Agent confirmed my identity over the phone and released my refund. Can't even tell you how much stress that saved me - talking to an actual human made all the difference.

Mine took exactly 18 days last month. Just barely outside what they told me (14 days). Verification was pretty simple once I got the letter tho. Had my refund about 10 days after I completed it.

The IRS is completley overwhelmed right now so everything is taking longer than normal. My neighbor works there and says they're understaffed by like 30%. Plus they've been hit with tons of identity theft cases so they're being extra careful with verification. System is broken honestly.

Why don't you just go to your local IRS office in person? That's what I did. Made an appointment, showed up with my ID, and they verified me on the spot. Way faster than waiting for mail.

Lol 16 days... mine took 37 days last year 😭 The IRS doesn't live in the same reality as the rest of us. "2-3 weeks" means "whenever we get around to it" in IRS speak.

Anyone else notice that IRS timelines are complete fiction? They told me 21 days to process my return. Then they told me 60 days to review. Then they told me 45 days to issue my refund. It's like they just make up numbers to get us off the phone.

I just got mine yesterday after waiting 22 days. Envelope was postmarked 5 days before I received it, so looks like they took about 17 days to actually send it. USPS is also slow af right now.

Uhmm maybe check if you moved recently? My verification letter got sent to my old address even though I had updated my address with the IRS 3 months earlier. Had to call and request a new one sent to correct address. What a nightmare.

Have you tried checking the Get My Payment tool on the IRS website? Sometimes it will show if there's an issue with your return or if they've mailed correspondence. Worth a shot while u wait.

Sometimes those letters never come at all. My brother waited 6 weeks for his verification letter last year, and when he called to ask what was happening, they said they never actually sent it due to a "system error" 🤡 Had to restart the whole process. I'd definitely call back if you don't get it by day 20.

OK listen here's the trick: Call your local congressperson's office. They have special IRS liasons who can help. I waited 4 weeks for my letter last year, nothing came. Called my congressman, had the issue resolved in 3 days. They can light a fire under the IRS like nothing else.

16 days is what they tell everyone but I haven't seen anyone actually get it that fast. My wife and I both had to verify last year - hers came in 24 days, mine took 31 days. Same household, filed together. Make it make sense.

Been through this exact same situation twice now. First time took 19 days, second time was 14 days. The 16-day estimate is actually pretty accurate in my experience, but like others said, that's from when they process the request not when you first called. One thing that helped me was setting up informed delivery with USPS so I could see what mail was coming each day. At least then you know if the letter is actually in transit. Also double check that your address on file with the IRS matches exactly what's on your most recent return - even small differences like "St" vs "Street" can cause delays. Hang in there, you're almost at the finish line! The actual verification process once you get the letter is pretty quick and straightforward.

I feel your pain - went through this exact same thing last year! My verification letter took 21 days to arrive, so you're definitely still within the normal range even though it's frustrating. A couple things that might help while you wait: - Try calling early in the morning (8-9 AM) when call volumes are lower - sometimes you can get better info about whether your letter was actually mailed - Make sure your mailbox is secure and check with neighbors in case it got misdelivered - If you're in a rush, definitely try that in-person appointment suggestion someone mentioned above - I wish I had known about that option! The waiting is absolutely the worst part, but once you get that letter the actual verification process is pretty quick. You should have your refund within 1-2 weeks after completing it. Keep checking your mail - it'll come!

I'm currently going through this same exact situation! Filed my return 3 weeks ago, tried the online ID verification multiple times but it kept failing, so I called and they told me to wait for the verification letter. It's been 12 days now and still nothing in my mailbox. What's really frustrating is that every time I call, I get a different agent who gives me slightly different information. One said 14-16 days, another said "up to 21 business days," and the last one couldn't even confirm if the letter had been generated yet. The inconsistency is maddening when you're just trying to get your own money back! I'm definitely going to try that in-person appointment suggestion - had no idea that was even an option. Also going to set up that USPS informed delivery thing to at least know what's coming. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, it's weirdly comforting to know I'm not alone in this bureaucratic nightmare!