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Ravi Choudhury

How to Verify My IRS Identity When I Never Received the 5071C/5447C Letter with 14-Digit Control Number

I need to verify my identity with the IRS but I'm stuck at their verification system. I'm on the "Verify Your Return" page where it says "Verify Your Letter" at the top. The website specifically asks "Did you receive an IRS return verification letter (5071C, 5447C, 5747C, or 6331C) in the mail?" and wants me to enter a 14-digit control number provided on the letter. The exact text on the screen says: "You will need this letter to continue with this online service. If you received a letter, but don't have it with you, please come back later." There are two options: - "Yes" with a field to "Enter the 14-digit control number provided on your letter" - "No, please resend the letter" Problem is, I never received any of these letters in my mail. The system won't let me continue with the online service without this letter. I see the option that says "No, please resend the letter" but I'm concerned about how long that might take. I need to get this verification done soon and waiting for a letter in the mail could take weeks. How am I supposed to verify my identity without these verification codes? I'm worried because I've heard the IRS is backed up with processing, and I need to resolve this identity verification issue quickly. Has anyone gone through this process before? Did selecting "No, please resend the letter" work efficiently? Is there any alternative way to verify my identity with the IRS that doesn't require waiting for this letter?

The IRS verification screen shows four specific letter types used for identity verification: 5071C, 5447C, 5747C, and 6331C. Each of these letters contains a unique 14-digit control number that serves as a security key for online verification. This system is designed specifically for taxpayers who have received one of these official letters. If you haven't received any of these letters, you cannot proceed with online verification through this portal. The system requires the 14-digit control number as a security measure to prevent unauthorized access to tax information. While there is an option to request a letter resend, you have two faster alternatives: 1. Call the IRS Identity Verification line (800-830-5084) for immediate phone verification 2. Schedule an in-person appointment at your local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center These letters are typically sent when the IRS needs additional verification of your identity, often due to suspected fraud prevention measures or discrepancies in tax returns. If you believe you should have received one but didn't, the "No, please resend the letter" option will trigger the IRS to mail a new verification letter to your address of record.

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ugh the phone lines are always busy. been trying for weeks 😤

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Try calling right when they open at 7am EST. Usually less busy then.

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Omar Farouk

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Hey, I was in the same boat and found this tool called taxr.ai that helped me figure out exactly what was going on with my transcript. It costs $1 but it showed me exactly why I was selected for verification and what steps to take. Here's the link: https://taxr.ai

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CosmicCadet

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Does it actually work? Seems too good to be true

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Omar Farouk

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100% legit. It analyzed my transcript and showed me I was flagged for ID verify bc of a mismatch with my W2. Saved me hours of guesswork

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Chloe Harris

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bruh where was this when i spent 6 months trying to figure out my verification issue šŸ’€

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Diego Mendoza

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check ur spam folder! my letter was sitting there for 2 months lol

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Make sure ur address is updated with USPS. My letter got sent to my old place šŸ¤¦ā€ā™‚ļø

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already checked, address is correct

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Sean Flanagan

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I ended up having to go to the local IRS office. its a pain but they got me verified same day

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Zara Shah

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did u need an appointment? website says appointments required

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Sean Flanagan

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yea u gotta call first. took me like 2 weeks to get in

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NebulaNomad

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The IRS is such a joke fr. They expect us to verify with a letter they never sent? Make it make sense 🤔

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Luca Ferrari

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fr fr its like they dont want us to get our money

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Adriana Cohn

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Had the exact same issue last year! The verification letters can get lost in mail or delayed. Here's what worked for me: I called the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-830-5084 early morning (around 7:15 AM EST) and got through after about 45 minutes on hold. They were able to verify my identity over the phone using personal info and tax details. Way faster than waiting for a letter to arrive. Also bring your prior year tax return, Social Security card, and a government-issued ID if you decide to go the in-person route. The phone verification saved me weeks of waiting!

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Thanks for the detailed info! Just to clarify - when you called that number, did they ask for the 14-digit control number from the letter, or were they able to verify you without it? I'm in the same situation as the original poster where I never received any verification letter, so I'm wondering if the phone agents can bypass that requirement entirely.

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They can verify you without the 14-digit control number! When I called, the agent said they have alternative verification methods for people who never received letters. They asked me questions about my prior year tax return (AGI amount, filing status, dependents), personal info (SSN, DOB, address history), and some security questions. The whole phone verification took about 20 minutes once I got through to an agent. Just make sure you have your previous tax return handy before calling.

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Paloma Clark

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I went through this exact situation a few months ago! The IRS verification system is frustrating when you never got the letter in the first place. Here's what I learned from my experience: 1. **Phone verification is your best bet** - Call 800-830-5084 (Identity Protection Specialized Unit) early in the morning. I called at 7:05 AM EST and waited about 30 minutes. They can absolutely verify you without the 14-digit control number using alternative methods. 2. **Have these documents ready**: Previous year's tax return (they'll ask for your prior year AGI), Social Security card, government ID, and W-2s from the tax year in question. 3. **The "resend letter" option** takes 2-3 weeks typically, but honestly the phone route is much faster if you can get through. 4. **In-person appointments** at Taxpayer Assistance Centers are also an option, but you need to schedule ahead and they're often booked out 2-3 weeks. The phone agents have different verification protocols than the online system - they can use your tax history, personal information, and other security questions to confirm your identity without needing that letter. Don't give up on the phone option even if it's busy - persistence pays off with early morning calls!

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