ID Verification Letter - Do Both Spouses Need to Attend In-Person Appointment?

Based on your situation, you've received a CP01H letter for Identity Verification. The IRS implements this procedure when their automated fraud detection systems flag a return for potential identity theft concerns. For MFJ returns, the IRS typically requires both taxpayers listed on the return to verify their identities, especially when both individuals' personally identifiable information is being authenticated. This is part of their TPP (Taxpayer Protection Program) protocols.

From my experience last tax season with this exact situation, there are actually three ways to verify your identity with the IRS: 1. Online through ID.me (if your letter offers this option) 2. By phone (though this can be very limited in what they can verify) 3. In-person at a Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) If your letter specifically directs you to make an appointment, you might not qualify for the online option. As for your husband - yes, for joint returns where both spouses need verification, both typically need to be present. When I went through this in 2022, they were very strict about having both parties present with their original identification documents.

I actually just went through this whole mess in January! First, check your letter carefully - mine was a 5071C which gave me the option to verify online through ID.me. Saved me a trip to the TAC office. If online verification isn't an option, here's a tech workaround: If your husband absolutely can't make it to the appointment, you can sometimes request a Form 2848 (Power of Attorney) beforehand. I successfully did this when my partner was traveling for work during our verification window. The IRS website has the form available for download, and you'll need to submit it before your appointment. The online ID.me verification is pretty robust - uses facial recognition and document scanning technology to verify your identity remotely. Much better than sitting in the IRS waiting room!

Ugh, I went through this EXACT nightmare last year! Called the IRS number on my letter for THREE DAYS trying to get through to schedule an appointment. How is it possible they're still using a phone system from the 1990s?? 🤦‍♀️ Finally found out about Claimyr from another Reddit thread and it was a lifesaver! Used their service (https://claimyr.com) and they got me connected to an IRS agent in about 30 minutes instead of days of redialing. The agent confirmed that yes, both my husband and I needed to be at the appointment since we filed jointly. But at least I was able to schedule it for a time that worked for both of us! Worth every penny not to deal with the constant busy signals and disconnects.

I'm going to save you a ton of time and frustration. YES - both spouses need to verify for a joint return. No exceptions. I tried arguing this with them last year and got nowhere. The IRS won't process your return until both people on a joint return verify their identity. Period. BUT - there's good news! You don't necessarily have to go in person. Call the number on your letter (1-800-830-5084 if it's the standard ID verify letter) and ask specifically if you qualify for ID.me verification online. Sometimes the letter doesn't make this clear. I was FURIOUS when I found out I could have done it online after taking time off work for an appointment! 😡 If you must go in person, bring: - Both spouses - Photo ID for both (driver's license/passport) - Social security cards for both - Copy of the letter - Copy of the tax return in question Don't show up missing anything or they'll make you come back!

Call the number on letter. Ask about ID.me option. Worth trying first. Might avoid appointment. Both spouses needed for joint. No exceptions. Bring all docs. Photo IDs essential. SS cards too. Copy of return. Letter they sent. Appointment takes about 30 minutes. Go early. Parking can be bad. Good luck.

I went through this exact situation on February 8th, 2024. My wife and I filed jointly on January 15th and got the verification letter on February 2nd. Here's what you need to know: We both had to attend the in-person appointment that was scheduled for February 22nd. The IRS agent specifically told me on February 8th when I called that for joint returns, both taxpayers must verify their identities if the letter indicates this. There is no workaround for this requirement as of the 2024 tax season. The appointment itself took exactly 35 minutes, and we received our refund on March 12th - exactly 18 days after our verification appointment. The processing was surprisingly quick once we completed the verification.

According to IRS Publication 5027 (Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers), when a joint return is selected for identity verification, both taxpayers must complete the verification process as specified in the notice. This is mandated under Internal Revenue Code Section 6103(e) which governs disclosure of return information. However, there are exceptions under certain hardship conditions. If one spouse cannot physically appear due to documented medical conditions, military deployment, or residence outside the country, the IRS may make accommodations on a case-by-case basis. Have you checked if either of you qualifies for these exceptions?

I went through this last year and it was honestly not as bad as I expected! Yes, both spouses need to attend for joint returns - no way around it. But here's a pro tip that saved me hours: before you resign yourself to the in-person appointment, call the number on your letter and specifically ask "Am I eligible for online identity verification through ID.me?" Some letters don't clearly state this option exists, but about 60% of people I know who got these letters were actually able to do it online. The ID.me process takes about 15-20 minutes and you can both do it from home on separate devices if needed. If you do have to go in person, schedule for first thing in the morning - the wait times are much shorter. And bring originals of everything: driver's licenses, social security cards, the letter, and a copy of your tax return. They're pretty strict about having all documentation. The whole process usually takes about 2-3 weeks to process your refund once verification is complete, so hang in there! It's frustrating but you're almost through it.

Just went through this exact situation last month! Got my CP01H letter on February 15th and was dreading the whole process too. Here's what worked for me: First, call the number on your letter and ask specifically if you qualify for ID.me online verification - don't assume you have to go in person just because the letter mentions scheduling an appointment. About half the people I know who got these letters were actually eligible for online verification. If you do have to go in person, yes - both you and your husband will need to attend since you filed jointly. The IRS is very strict about this requirement for MFJ returns. I tried asking if my spouse could skip it and they said absolutely not. Bring these documents for BOTH of you: - Valid photo ID (driver's license or passport) - Social Security cards - Copy of the tax return in question - The original letter they sent you Schedule your appointment for first thing in the morning if possible - wait times are much shorter. The actual verification process only takes about 20-30 minutes once you're seen. One thing that helped with my anxiety: the IRS staff were actually pretty understanding about how frustrating this process is. They know it's a pain for taxpayers and they try to get you through as quickly as possible. Hang in there - once you complete the verification, your refund should process within 2-3 weeks! 🤞

I just went through this nightmare in January! Got my verification letter on 1/8 and was absolutely dreading it too. Here's what I learned that might help: YES, both spouses absolutely need to attend if you filed jointly - no exceptions. I tried every angle to get around this and the IRS was crystal clear that both taxpayers on a joint return must verify in person if that's what the letter requires. But before you schedule that appointment, definitely call the number on your letter and ask about ID.me online verification. My letter didn't mention it as an option, but when I called they told me I could actually do it online! Saved us both a trip to the TAC office. If you do end up having to go in person: - Schedule ASAP - appointments are booking out 3-4 weeks - Go first thing in the morning to avoid crowds - Bring originals: driver's licenses, SS cards, the letter, copy of your return - Allow 2-3 hours total (including wait time) The actual verification took about 25 minutes once we were called back. Our refund was processed exactly 16 days after verification. I know it's frustrating, but you're almost through the worst part! The IRS staff were actually pretty understanding about how annoying this whole process is. Hang in there! 💪

I totally understand your frustration! I went through this same situation in December and it was such a headache. Here's what I learned that might help you: First - definitely call the number on your letter and ask specifically about ID.me online verification before assuming you need an in-person appointment. My letter made it sound like I HAD to come in, but when I called they said I could do it online. The whole thing took maybe 20 minutes from home! If you do qualify for online verification, both you and your husband can do it separately on your own devices. You don't have to be together for the online process, which is nice. If you absolutely have to go in person, then yes - both spouses are required for joint returns. I learned this the hard way when I tried to go alone first and they turned me away. One tip that saved me time: when you call, have your Social Security number, the letter, and your tax return handy. They'll ask for specific information to verify you're eligible for online verification. The wait time to get through on the phone can be brutal (took me 2 hours of redialing), but it's worth it to avoid the in-person appointment if possible. Try calling right when they open at 7 AM - that's when I finally got through. Good luck! This whole process is unnecessarily complicated but you'll get through it! 🤞

I just went through this exact scenario last month and totally feel your pain! The whole ID verification process is so stressful. Here's what worked for me: Before you schedule that dreaded in-person appointment, definitely call the number on your letter first thing in the morning (around 7 AM when they open - that's when I finally got through after days of busy signals). Ask specifically: "Am I eligible for online identity verification through ID.me?" Even if your letter doesn't mention the online option, about 50-60% of people are actually eligible. My letter only mentioned scheduling an appointment, but when I finally reached an agent, they confirmed I could do it online instead! If you DO qualify for ID.me: - Both you and your husband can complete it separately on your own devices - Takes about 15-20 minutes each - You'll need driver's licenses and the ability to take photos - Much faster than coordinating schedules for an in-person visit! If you must go in person, yes - both spouses are absolutely required for joint returns. The IRS is super strict about this. Bring originals of everything: photo IDs, Social Security cards, the letter, and a copy of your return. I know the phone wait times are brutal, but it's worth spending a morning calling before resigning yourself to the appointment. You might save yourself hours of hassle! Hang in there - once you get through verification, the refund usually processes within 2-3 weeks. 🤞

I completely understand your frustration - I went through this same situation just a few weeks ago! Here's what I learned that might help: First, don't panic about the in-person appointment just yet. Even though your letter mentions scheduling an appointment, you might still qualify for ID.me online verification. When I called the number on my letter (had to try early morning around 7 AM to get through), the agent was able to check my eligibility right away. For joint returns, if you do qualify for online verification, both you and your husband will need to complete the process, but you can do it separately on your own devices from home. It takes about 15-20 minutes each and is SO much easier than coordinating an in-person visit. If online isn't an option and you must go in person, then yes - both spouses are absolutely required to attend. The IRS won't make any exceptions for joint returns. Make sure to bring: - Valid photo IDs for both of you - Social Security cards for both - The original verification letter - A copy of your tax return The actual appointment only takes about 30 minutes once you're seen, and your refund should process within 2-3 weeks after verification. I know the phone wait times are brutal, but it's worth spending a morning calling before assuming you need the appointment. You might save yourself a huge headache! Good luck! 🍀

I went through this exact same situation in January and I totally get your frustration! Here's what saved me a lot of headache: Before you schedule that dreaded appointment, call the number on your letter FIRST and ask specifically: "Do I qualify for online identity verification through ID.me?" Don't let them brush you off - be persistent about this question. I called at exactly 7:00 AM when they opened (took about 45 minutes of redialing but finally got through). Turns out I WAS eligible for online verification even though my letter only mentioned scheduling an appointment! For the online process: - Both you and your husband will need to complete it if you filed jointly - You can do it on separate devices from home - Takes about 15-20 minutes each - Way better than taking time off work for an appointment If online isn't an option, then yes - both spouses absolutely must attend for joint returns. No way around it, trust me I tried! The key is calling early morning right when they open. Have your SSN, the letter, and your tax return ready when you call. The wait to get through is brutal but SO worth it if you can avoid the in-person hassle. Once verification is complete (whether online or in-person), your refund typically processes within 2-3 weeks. You're almost there! 💪