IRS Identity Verification for 3 Years of Returns - Need Help & Advice
Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a pickle with the IRS. They sent me letters saying I need to verify my identity for the last 3 years of tax returns. I've tried doing it online and by phone, but I'm still having issues. Has anyone else dealt with this? What should I expect when I finally get through to them? Any tips or advice would be really appreciated!
20 comments


NeonNomad
Ugh, been there done that. It's such a pain in the a**. Make sure you have ALL your documents ready when you call. And I mean everything - social security card, drivers license, past tax returns, the letters they sent you, everything. They'll ask for random info to verify you.
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
•This ⬆️ 💯 Seriously, have everything ready or you'll be SOL
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Dylan Mitchell
•dont forget utility bills! they asked me for those too
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Giovanni Ricci
•Thanks for the heads up! I'll make sure to have a whole folder ready. Did it take long once you got through to someone?
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NeonNomad
•It took about 30 mins once I actually got to talk to a human. But getting to that point? Lol good luck 😂
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Sofia Martinez
I found a way to get someone on the phone fast. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/bDXD2SD0gGk
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Dmitry Volkov
•Sounds sketchy. Is it legit?
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Sofia Martinez
•Yeah, it's totally legit. I was skeptical at first too, but it saved me hours of hold time. Worth every penny imo
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Ava Thompson
•How long did it take for them to get someone on the line?
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Sofia Martinez
•It took about 2 hours for me, but I didn't have to sit there listening to that awful hold music the whole time. They just called me when an agent was ready.
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CyberSiren
Pro tip: call right when they open in the morning. You'll have a better chance of getting through quickly. Also, be super nice to the person who answers - they deal with angry people all day and being kind can go a long way.
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Miguel Alvarez
Here's what you need to know and do for IRS identity verification: 1. Gather all necessary documents: - Social Security card - Driver's license or state ID - Tax returns for the years in question - IRS letters you received - Proof of address (utility bills, etc.) 2. Be prepared to answer security questions: - They might ask about previous addresses, employers, or financial info 3. If calling: - Use the number on the letter you received - Best times to call are early morning or just before closing - Be patient and polite 4. If verifying online: - Use the official IRS website (irs.gov) - Follow the instructions for ID verification carefully 5. After verification: - Ask for next steps and timeframes - Get a confirmation number or reference for your records Remember, this process can take time. If you're expecting a refund, it might be delayed until everything is sorted out. Good luck!
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Giovanni Ricci
•Wow, thank you so much for this detailed breakdown! This is incredibly helpful. I'll definitely follow these steps.
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Zainab Yusuf
•This should be pinned or something. Super helpful info!
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Connor O'Reilly
am i the only 1 who thinks its ridiculous we gotta jump through all these hoops? like, they already have all our info, why make it so hard? 🙄
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Yara Khoury
•Preach! 🙌 The whole system needs an overhaul
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Keisha Taylor
•It's to prevent fraud, but yeah, it's a pain in the butt for honest folks
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StardustSeeker
Whatever you do, DON'T fall for any scams. There are a lot of people out there pretending to be the IRS. Remember, the real IRS will never call you out of the blue demanding money or threatening to arrest you.
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Paolo Marino
•This! My grandma almost fell for one of those scams. It's scary how convincing they can be.
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Amina Bah
I went thru this last year. It suuuucked but eventually got sorted. Hang in there OP!
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