How long to receive IRS identity verification letter? Mailed 3/15 still nothing
How long did y'all have to wait on the verification letter? Mine was mailed out March 15th and it still not here ugh 😤 and they said I can't verify in person without that letter. I'm stressing bc I need this refund for summer tuition. Anyone else waiting forever for these letters? TIA
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Cass Green
I had a similar issue... my verification letter took almost 4 weeks to arrive. The IRS says they typically take 5-10 business days, but that's not been my experience at all. I would suggest maybe calling them back and asking if they could resend the letter, or if there's any alternative verification method they might accept. Sometimes it depends on which agent you talk to.
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Finley Garrett
•When you called them back, did they give you any information about why the letter was delayed? Did they say anything about mail processing issues or if there's a way to track the letter?
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Madison Tipne
•Lol, 5-10 business days... in what universe? 🤣 I waited 6 weeks for mine last year. The best part was when they told me I missed the verification deadline that was IN the letter that arrived late. Had to start the whole process over. Good times!
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Holly Lascelles
Have you checked if you can verify your identity online through ID.me instead of waiting for the letter? Sometimes that's an option depending on why they're requiring verification.
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Malia Ponder
•I think I might have over-prepared for this process... I signed up for ID.me before I even filed, just in case. But then I still got flagged for verification and had to wait for the letter anyway. It seems like some verification requirements can be satisfied online while others absolutely require that letter.
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Kyle Wallace
•Thank you for mentioning this! I just checked on April 10th and was able to verify through ID.me even though I was initially told I needed the letter. Maybe different departments have different requirements?
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Ryder Ross
OMG this is SO frustrating! 😡 The IRS is literally sending these letters via SNAIL MAIL in 2024! Their systems show it was sent but can't tell you if it was actually delivered. The 5501C letters specifically require signature confirmation but the 5071C letters often don't. Which letter type are you waiting for?
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Gianni Serpent
•Just to clarify the timeframes here - the standard delivery window for IRS verification letters is 14-21 days, not the 5-10 business days sometimes quoted. In approximately 22% of cases, these letters take 30+ days to arrive. This is based on the 2023-2024 filing season data.
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Henry Delgado
•Do we know if there's a difference in processing time between the 5071C and 5501C letters? I received notice that my 5071C was mailed on March 18th but still nothing.
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Olivia Kay
I went through this exact nightmare last year. Letter took 5 weeks, then when I finally got it and called the verification number, I spent 3 days trying to get through. Busy signals for hours. Finally used Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) and got connected to an agent in about 15 minutes. They verified me over the phone and my refund was processed within a week after that. Sometimes you just need to actually talk to a human at the IRS to move things along.
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Joshua Hellan
•Is that service really worth it though? Compared to just calling repeatedly yourself? I'm already out the refund money, not sure about spending more on a service when the IRS phone line is technically free if you're persistent enough.
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Jibriel Kohn
•I used that Claimyr service too! Best $20 I ever spent. I calculated that I spent about 7 hours total on hold before giving up and trying it. Got through in 18 minutes. If your time is worth anything at all, it's definitely worth it.
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Edison Estevez
Has anyone considered why the IRS is suddenly requiring so many verification letters this year? Is it just me, or does it seem like they're flagging way more returns than usual? Are they really that concerned about fraud, or is this just a way to delay refunds and manage their cash flow? And why can't they use a more efficient system than paper mail in 2024?
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Emily Nguyen-Smith
According to the IRS website (https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/identity-verification-for-irs-letter-recipients), you do have some options while waiting. If it's been more than 30 days, you can request a reissued letter. Also, some Taxpayer Assistance Centers can help with verification if you bring multiple forms of ID, even without the letter - despite what some phone agents might tell you. Check the IRS appointment line or website to find one near you that specifically offers ID verification services.
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James Johnson
•Just to clarify - you need to specifically ask for an appointment for "Letter 5071C assistance" when you call the appointment line. If you just say "identity verification" they might turn you away. Be very specific about needing help with a verification letter that hasn't arrived.
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Sophia Rodriguez
Waiting for IRS letters is like watching paint dry while standing in quicksand. You're stuck and it feels like nothing is happening. Last year, I had a friend who waited 7 weeks for their verification letter! The whole system seems designed to test our patience. My advice? Call once a week to check status, document every call (who you spoke with, date/time), and if it's been more than 4 weeks, specifically ask for a supervisor who might have additional options.
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Mia Green
•That's good advice about documenting calls. I've found that mentioning "I spoke with [agent name] on [specific date]" in follow-up calls makes them take you more seriously and sometimes they can see notes from previous calls.
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Emma Bianchi
•Also worth noting that the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service can sometimes help if it's been more than 30 days and you're experiencing financial hardship while waiting. They can't speed up the letter, but they might be able to find alternative verification methods in some cases.
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Amina Bah
I feel your pain! I'm in a similar boat - my verification letter was supposedly mailed March 20th and still nothing. It's so stressful when you're counting on that refund for something important like tuition. I've been calling weekly and each agent gives me a different timeline estimate. One said 2-3 weeks, another said up to 6 weeks. The inconsistency is almost as frustrating as the wait itself. At this point I'm considering trying some of the alternatives people mentioned here, like checking if there's a local taxpayer assistance center that might help without the letter. Hang in there! 🤞
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Omar Farouk
•I'm in a similar situation too - waiting since March 12th! The inconsistent timelines from different agents is so annoying. Have you tried calling first thing in the morning? I've had better luck getting through around 8 AM when they open. Also, someone mentioned earlier that you can ask specifically for a supervisor if it's been over 4 weeks - might be worth trying that approach. The tuition deadline stress is real though, I totally get it!
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