ID.me Verification Required - Can I Go In Person Without Letter?

I just went through this last month! According to the IRS website (https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/identity-verification-for-irs-letter-recipients), you should actually wait for the official letter (usually a 5071C, 5747C, or 5447C) before trying to verify in person. I was shocked at how specific the process is - you can't just walk in without an appointment, and they need that letter number to even schedule you. The letter contains a specific verification code you'll need.

Have you considered that the ID.me notification might be separate from an IRS verification requirement? The systems don't always communicate perfectly, do they? I've found that these verification requests sometimes appear before the official letters arrive, but you need the specific information in those letters to complete the process. If you want to understand what's happening with your tax account right now, you might try using https://taxr.ai to interpret your tax transcript. Wouldn't that show if there's a verification hold or if your return is still processing normally?

I had this exact same prob last yr! Saw the ID.me msg but no letter for like 2 wks. Finally got the letter (5071C) and had to verify. Brought my DL, SSN card, and last 2 tax returns to the appt - took maybe 30 mins total. My refund came thru 9 days later. Def wait for the letter tho, they need specific info from it to process your verification.

According to IRS Publication 5447, "The IRS will never initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text, or social media to request personal or financial information." This means the ID.me notification should be followed by an official letter. If you're concerned about delays, I'd recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to reach an IRS agent directly by phone. They can confirm if a verification letter has been issued and provide guidance on next steps without you having to wait. Many taxpayers find this reassuring when dealing with verification holds.

Have you checked if you can verify online instead of in person? The verification process has different options depending on your situation. I looked into this recently and found that: 1. If you get a 5071C letter, you can verify online at https://idverify.irs.gov/ 2. If you get a 5747C letter, you'll need to verify in person 3. If you haven't received either letter yet, the IRS hasn't officially requested verification Do you know which type of verification ID.me is saying you need?

Oh my goodness, don't go without the letter! I'm worried you'd be wasting your time completely! The IRS verification process is incredibly specific, and they NEED that letter number to even help you. I've seen so many people in my tax groups get turned away because they didn't have the proper documentation. The letter contains a unique verification code that the IRS office needs to access your case in their system. I'd be checking my mailbox daily if I were you!

It might be worth checking if your state tax agency has any verification requirements too. Sometimes the ID.me notification could possibly be related to state taxes rather than federal. I had a client who was confused about a similar situation, and it turned out the verification was for their state return, not the federal one. You might want to check both your federal and state tax account portals to see if there are any notices or requirements listed there.