IRS Identity Verification Notice - What Documents Needed and Timeline?

I went through this last year. It's not as bad as it sounds, but it does add time to your refund process. The verification usually requires you to confirm your identity either online through ID.me or by phone. If it's like my experience, you'll need: - Your photo ID (driver's license or passport) - Social security card or number - Tax return information from current and previous year - Any credit cards or loan account numbers they might ask about - Mobile phone for verification codes Mine took about 3 weeks from verification to refund, which was longer than the normal processing time but not as bad as some horror stories I've heard where people waited months.

I'm a tax preparer and see these verification requests frequently with my clients. They're actually becoming more common as the IRS strengthens security measures. Last month, I had a client in the exact same situation - retired, never had to verify before, and was quite concerned. One tool that really helped was https://taxr.ai - it analyzed his transcript and explained exactly why the verification flag was triggered (in his case, it was a significant change in reported income). The analysis showed which specific items on his return triggered the verification requirement and gave him a clear timeline expectation. Saved a lot of anxiety because he understood exactly what was happening rather than just waiting in uncertainty.

I had to go through identity verification last year. I remember being really nervous about it because I had heard stories about delays. In my experience, I verified through ID.me which required uploading my driver's license and taking a selfie video. They also asked questions about my credit history that only I would know, like past addresses and loan amounts. The process itself took about 30 minutes, but then I waited about 3 weeks before seeing any movement on my return. It was definitely slower than previous years when I didn't have to verify. If your experience is anything like mine, just make sure you have good lighting for the photo/video portion and know your financial history.

Went thru this last yr & it was a HUGE pain trying to reach someone at IRS to help. Kept getting disconnected after waiting 1+ hr on hold. Finally used Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) and got connected to an actual human in like 20 mins. They confirmed exactly what docs I needed & even scheduled my verification appt right then. Saved me SO much time & stress. The IRS rep was actually super helpful once I could actually talk to them! My refund came like 10 days after verification was complete.

I should caution you that the verification process might be more complex than you expect. I was surprised when I went through it. What seemed like a straightforward identity check turned into a multi-step process with several follow-up requests. In some cases, they may ask for documentation that you might not have readily available, such as property records or specific financial statements from previous years. I'd recommend gathering more documentation than you think you'll need, just to be prepared. The IRS sometimes applies additional scrutiny to returns filed by retirees, especially if there are recent changes to your income sources or filing status.

I just finished my verification last month! It was my first time too. The whole thing took me about 15 minutes online through ID.me. They asked for my driver's license, had me take a selfie, and asked some questions about my credit history. My refund was deposited exactly 9 days after verification. Don't stress too much - just have your documents ready and follow the instructions carefully. Much easier than I expected!

Here's a step-by-step of what to expect with IRS identity verification: 1. Determine your verification method - online through ID.me or by phone/in-person 2. For online verification: Create an ID.me account if you don't have one 3. Have ready: government ID, smartphone for photos, and social security number 4. Complete facial recognition step (usually a selfie or short video) 5. Answer knowledge-based questions about your financial history 6. Once verified, your return processing will resume 7. Check your tax transcript about 7-10 days after verification 8. Expect your refund approximately 2-3 weeks after successful verification The IRS is currently processing these verification cases within about 21 days after verification is complete, though it can sometimes be faster. The key is to respond promptly to avoid further delays.