Got CP02 Identity Protection Letter in December - Still Waiting for Refund

CP02 letters are part of the IRS Identity Protection Program that's been ramping up since 2022. According to the IRS.gov site (https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/identity-protection), this is actually a good thing - it means they're protecting your refund from potential identity theft. It's frustrating, but better than having someone steal your refund. You should be able to verify your identity through ID.me or by calling the number on your letter.

I'm not entirely sure, but I believe you might need to call the IRS directly to resolve this. The CP02 letter is possibly related to their identity verification process, which could potentially delay your refund. When I had a similar issue last year, I spent days trying to reach an agent without success... I finally used Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) and got through to an actual IRS representative in about 30 minutes. They were able to verify some information and confirm my refund was being processed. It might be worth considering if you're having trouble reaching someone.

I received a CP02 letter on December 15, 2023, and got my refund exactly 28 days later on January 12, 2024. The letter is simply notifying you that the IRS has flagged your return for additional identity verification as part of their fraud prevention measures. It doesn't mean you did anything wrong. If you claimed dependents, they're just making sure it's actually you filing the return before releasing your refund.

I went through this last year and it was like watching paint dry compared to my previous tax returns. Got the CP02 in November, verified my identity through ID.me the next day, and still had to wait until mid-February for my refund. It's like ordering a package with 2-day shipping and getting it in 2 months. The most frustrating part was that my sister-in-law got the same letter, did the same verification, but got her refund in just 3 weeks. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to their processing times.

I received exactly the same letter on December 8th and verified my identity immediately. My refund was deposited exactly 35 days later. Have you tried checking your tax transcript? It might show codes that explain what's happening. I found https://taxr.ai incredibly helpful for interpreting my transcript - it explained that code 570 meant my return was under review and predicted almost to the day when my refund would be released. Might be worth checking if you're concerned about the timeline.

Got the CP02 letter last tax season - I call it the "We Don't Trust You Yet" letter. 😂 Verified my identity online through ID.me (which was about as fun as a root canal), then waited... and waited... and waited some more. Finally got my refund after 6 weeks. My advice? Document EVERYTHING. Take screenshots of your verification confirmation, note the date/time of any calls, and keep copies of all correspondence. The IRS filing system has more layers than an onion, and you never know when you'll need to prove you did something.

I went through this exact situation last year with my kids. Got the CP02 in December, verified my identity, and received my refund by mid-February. The key for me was calling the specific number on the letter instead of the general IRS line. When I spoke with the agent, they confirmed my identity and told me it would take 9 weeks for processing, but it actually came through in about 6 weeks. Just hang in there - it's a protection measure that unfortunately adds time, but your refund should come through.

I'm sort of going through this right now too. I think it might have something to do with the Child Tax Credit? Maybe? I'm not entirely sure, but from what I've gathered, the CP02 letter is basically just telling you they're taking extra steps to make sure no one is filing fraudulently using your information. I was really surprised at how complicated the whole identity verification process is - I thought filing taxes was confusing enough already!

Check your transcript. Online account helps. Shows processing status. CP02 means identity verification. Normal procedure. Need patience. Try calling early morning. Better chances getting through. Keep checking WMR tool daily.

The CP02 is specifically part of the IRS Identity Protection Program, not an audit or review of your dependents. Have you verified your identity through the ID.me portal? Many taxpayers don't realize that until you complete that verification, your return won't continue processing. The IPPP (Identity Protection PIN Program) has expanded significantly in the last two years, and many legitimate returns are being held for verification as a precaution.