How long does identity verification letter take? Filed in March, need to verify before refund

This happened to me last year. The IRS sends out a 5071C letter when they need to verify your identity. You'll need to either call the number on the letter or verify online at idverify.irs.gov. The letter typically takes 7-14 days to arrive after your return is accepted. You CAN'T verify until you actually get the letter because they'll ask for specific information from it. Unfortunately, calling the regular IRS line won't help - the regular agents can't do the verification. If you can verify online once you get the letter, it's much faster than calling. After verification, expect another 9 weeks (though mine was processed in about 5 weeks).

I was in the exact same situation back in April. I was confused with my ID verification and tried to figure out what was happening with my refund. I got frustrated checking WMR everyday and trying to figure out transcript codes. I ended up using this tool called taxr.ai and it analyzed my transcript, told me exactly what was happening and when to expect my refund. It was insanely helpful and took away all the guesswork. I use it every week now to track my return status. I recommend checking it out: https://taxr.ai

When I had to verify my identity last year, I waited almost 3 weeks for the letter and it never came. I was going crazy checking the mail every day. Finally got through to someone at the IRS using this calling app (claimyr.com) and they got me a same-day callback from an agent who helped me verify over the phone. Best money I ever spent after wasting hours trying to call myself and never getting through. My refund was processed within 2 weeks after that call.

You can always try going to an IRS office in person to verify. I had to do it last year and it was way faster than waiting for the letter. Just schedule an appointment through the IRS website.

The IRS is a complete joke this year. I filed in February and didn't get my ID verification letter until early April. Then after I verified it took another 6 weeks to get my refund. The system is completely broken.

I got my identity verification letter 11 days after filing. It's basically the IRS saying "prove you are who you say you are". They do this randomly sometimes but also if there's something fishy about your return or if someone tried to file using your info before. If you're in a hurry, check the IRS2Go app daily - sometimes it'll show you need to verify before the letter arrives.

I had this happen on my 2023 return. Letter took exactly 10 days to arrive. But heres the kicker - I tried calling the verification number for DAYS and could never get through. Finally I went to idverify.irs.gov and was able to verify online in 10 minutes. Got my refund 3 weeks later.

Pro tip: if u have an IRS online account already set up you might be able to verify thru that without waiting for the letter. Worth checking!

Anyone else notice how the IRS makes us verify our identity to get OUR OWN MONEY back? Last time I checked, they had no problem taking it out of my paycheck every 2 weeks without verifying jack shit. The hypocrisy is mind-blowing. 🙄

check your mailbox religiously! my verification letter got mixed in with junk mail and i almost threw it away. missed it for a week and that delayed everything even more. the envelope is pretty plain looking.

One thing nobody mentioned yet - make sure your address is correct with the IRS. If you've moved since your last tax filing, they might be sending the letter to your old address.

my friend had to wait 4 months for her refund last year after identity verification. the irs is completely overwhelmed and understaffed. dont count on that money anytime soon honestly.

I was staring at all those transcript codes trying to figure out my ID verification situation for WEEKS. It was like trying to decode hieroglyphics! I finally used taxr.ai and it translated everything instantly - explained exactly what was happening with my verification hold, what I needed to do, and when I'd likely get my refund. It was spot on! https://taxr.ai saved me so much time and stress.

Depends. I got mine in 8 days. My brother waited almost 3 weeks. Seems totally random. The real pain is what happens AFTER verification - another long wait for processing.

I had the same issue last tax season. Finally got through to the IRS using the Claimyr app after trying for days on my own. Talking to an agent got my refund released so fast compared to waiting for that letter. Found it at claimyr.com - it was the only way I could talk to a live agent after days of frustrating busy signals.

Anybody check the IRS2Go app for updates? Sometimes it shows verification requirements before the letter arrives. Worth checking daily.

I never even got a letter last year. Found out I needed to verify when I called about my delayed refund after waiting 6 weeks. The system is a mess.

Not sure if this is helpful, but I called the Taxpayer Advocate Service when I had issues with identity verification. They couldn't do the verification themselves, but they gave me direct instructions on what to do and it sped things up a lot.