Filed on Jan 31st - Still Waiting for Identity Verification Letter
I filed my taxes on January 31st this year and still haven't received my identity verification letter from the IRS. Last year when I filed for my mom who I care for, her letter came within 2 weeks. It's been over 8 weeks for me now. Do I need to call the IRS directly? If so, what's the specific number I should use? I've checked my mailbox every day since filing.
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Max Reyes
Have you checked your online account with the IRS to see if there's any indication of why they need to verify your identity? Sometimes these letters get lost in the mail or delayed. Have you received any other correspondence from them? And did you file electronically or by paper? Paper returns are notorious for triggering verification requirements and taking much longer.
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Mikayla Davison
Not OP but I'm curious - does the IRS Transcript system show pending identity verification status? Or would the account just show N/A for the current year's Return Transcript if verification is needed?
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16d
Adrian Connor
This is solid advice. I've worked with dozens of clients who were waiting for verification letters. In my experience, the Identity Verification hotline (800-830-5084) is the fastest route. I've seen them resolve these issues within minutes when people finally get through.
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13d
Aisha Jackson
Just to add a timeframe reference - I received my verification letter on March 12th after filing on February 1st. So that was exactly 40 days between filing and receiving the letter. The current backlog might be causing longer delays than usual.
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Ryder Everingham
Did u get any msgs in ur tax software after filing? Sometimes they'll notify u there if the IRS needs more info. Also, did u check ur spam folder? IRS sometimes sends email notifications too. I'm a bit worried bc 8+ weeks is def longer than normal for those letters...
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Lilly Curtis
I had this exact same situation last year! I was comparing my experience to my sister's who got her letter in 10 days while mine took 7 weeks. When I finally called, they said my letter had been sent but got returned to them because my apartment number was missing. After verifying my address, I had the letter 4 days later. Saved me from waiting even longer and potentially missing out on my refund.
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15d
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Leo Simmons
The standard wait time for identity verification letters is exactly 14-21 days after your return is accepted. You're at 56+ days now, which is significantly outside normal parameters. This could indicate either: 1) Your return is flagged for something other than routine identity verification, 2) Your letter was lost in mail transit, or 3) There's a processing delay specific to your return. I'd be concerned about potential refund delays if this isn't resolved within the next 7-10 days.
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Lindsey Fry
This happened to me last tax season. So frustrating! • Called regular IRS number multiple times - couldn't get through • Was told wait times were 2+ hours • Finally reached someone after 3 weeks of trying • They said my letter was never actually sent due to a "system error" • Had to request they resend it Don't wait as long as I did!
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15d
Saleem Vaziri
I think it's worth mentioning that sometimes these verification requirements get resolved in the background without you needing to do anything. I was worried about not receiving my letter, but my refund suddenly processed. It seems they were able to verify through other means. So while calling is probably a good idea, don't panic just yet.
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Kayla Morgan
I had the EXACT same problem this filing season. Waited 6 weeks for a verification letter that never came. Tried calling the regular IRS number but kept getting disconnected after waiting on hold for over an hour. Then I tried Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) and got through to an agent in about 15 minutes. They confirmed my letter was sent to an old address despite me updating it on my return. Got everything resolved in one call. Is your address 100% accurate on your return? Have you moved recently?
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James Maki
I'm not sure about using third-party services to contact the IRS... The official Identity Verification number is 800-830-5084 (per the IRS.gov website). You can also try the main IRS customer service at 800-829-1040. Wait times are long, but I'd be cautious about giving any info to non-IRS services when dealing with tax matters.
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Jasmine Hancock
Claimyr doesn't ask for any personal information. It just navigates the IRS phone tree and waits on hold for you, then calls you when an agent is on the line. They don't see your tax info or anything like that. I used it last month when I needed to verify my identity after getting a letter. Saved me hours of hold time.
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