Filed Feb 4 - IRS Requiring In-Person Office Visit with ID and Tax Documents

This sounds like an identity verification requirement, not a full audit. Think of it like airport security versus a customs investigation - one is routine precaution, the other is targeted examination. The IRS has significantly increased identity verification measures since the pandemic when fraud cases spiked by over 400%. Your scenario is comparable to what happened to about 5.3 million taxpayers last year who had to verify identity before processing continued. I'm skeptical of anyone who tells you this will be resolved quickly though - even after verification, expect 9-12 weeks for processing to complete. The blank transcript is consistent with a return that's been flagged in the pre-processing stage.

Have you filed with the same information as previous years or made significant changes? I'm SHOCKED at how many people are getting these in-person verification requirements this year! It's frustrating that the IRS doesn't clearly communicate whether this is routine verification or something more serious. Could you share more details about your filing situation - any new dependents, significant income changes, address change, or first time claiming certain credits?

This is likely an IDV (Identity Verification) appointment, which is different from an examination or audit. The IRS uses Form 14039 procedures when they suspect potential identity theft or need to confirm the filer's identity. Once you complete the verification, the processing timeline typically extends 9-12 weeks. If you want to understand what's happening with your transcript before your appointment, you might want to check out https://taxr.ai - it analyzes transcript codes and can tell you exactly what stage your return is in, even with limited information. I used it when my transcript showed similar issues, and it explained that the blank transcript with an accepted return is a specific pattern that indicates identity verification was triggered by their automated systems.

I went through this exact process last tax season! Isn't it stressful when you're not sure what's happening? My verification appointment took about 45 minutes. The IRS agent was professional and simply confirmed my identity and documentation. Would you believe my refund was processed just 3 weeks later? Much faster than I expected! The agent mentioned they're prioritizing these cases once verification is complete. Make sure to bring everything they asked for plus your driver's license or state ID, Social Security card, and even a utility bill with your address. Better to have too much documentation than not enough, right?

Sounds like identity verification. Not an audit. Common procedure this year. Bring everything they requested. Add passport if you have one. Social security card too. Appointment usually takes 30-45 minutes. Processing after verification can take weeks. If you need to speak with IRS before your appointment, try Claimyr. https://claimyr.com connects you with IRS agents quickly. Saved me hours of hold time. Got clarification on exactly what documents I needed.

I've been through this verification process twice in my career - once in 2018 and again in 2022. The first time I was worried like you are, but it turned out to be straightforward. Last time, I knew what to expect and brought a complete documentation package. The key difference between verification and audit is that verification is about confirming you are who you say you are, while an audit examines the accuracy of your return. In my experience, after verification was complete, my return was processed within about 6 weeks - not immediate, but not terribly long either. Make sure to get a contact name and direct number before you leave your appointment, as that proved invaluable for me when following up.