IRS In-Person Identity Verification Experience? What to expect for face-to-face verification appointment?

Tax professional here - In-person verification is less common but happens when online/phone verification isn't possible or there are specific security concerns. You'll need to bring: government-issued photo ID, social security card, and any IRS letters you've received. Also bring copies of your last filed tax return and at least two utility bills or bank statements showing your name and address. Appointments usually take 30-45 minutes.

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i had to do this last month! its not as bad as it sounds tbh. took like 20 mins tops

This whole system is ridiculous. Why cant they just verify everything online in 2025? Making people take time off work to physically go somewhere is so outdated smh

make sure you schedule an appointment first! dont just show up or theyll turn you away. learned that the hard way lol

Anyone know if you can bring someone with you? My english isnt great and id like to bring my daughter to help translate

I went through this process about 6 months ago and it was actually pretty straightforward! Bring your ID, social security card (original), any IRS letters, and proof of address like utility bills. The IRS worker was really helpful and walked me through everything. One tip - arrive about 10 minutes early because they're usually running right on schedule. The whole thing took maybe 35 minutes including wait time. Don't stress too much about it!

I just went through this process last week! The whole experience was much smoother than I expected. A few additional tips: dress professionally (not required but shows respect), bring a folder with all your documents organized, and if you wear glasses make sure to bring them for the photo comparison. The IRS staff were actually really patient and understanding. One thing that surprised me - they also asked to see my W-2 forms from the past year, so bring those too if you have them. The verification itself only took about 15 minutes, but I spent another 20 minutes waiting. Overall not nearly as intimidating as I thought it would be!

I went through this exact same process about 3 months ago after getting that scary letter! Don't worry too much - it's really not as bad as it seems. The key things I learned: 1) Definitely call ahead to schedule, walk-ins are usually turned away 2) Bring everything in a clear folder - original Social Security card, driver's license, utility bills, tax returns, and any IRS correspondence 3) Allow at least an hour total even though the actual verification is quick. The staff were professional and understanding. They basically just verify you are who you say you are by comparing your documents to what they have on file. After completion, they told me it would take 6-9 weeks to process my refund, and it actually came in about 5 weeks. You've got this! 💪

I went through this same process about 2 months ago and it was honestly way less stressful than I built it up to be in my head! A couple things that really helped me: bring a small bag or folder to keep all your documents organized - it shows you're prepared and makes the process smoother. Also, the IRS office I went to had pretty limited parking, so I'd suggest arriving about 15-20 minutes early to account for that. One thing nobody mentioned to me beforehand - they might ask you a few questions about your tax history (like what address you filed from last year or your previous employer), so just be ready for that. The actual verification took maybe 10 minutes once I got called back. The IRS employee was really professional and walked me through each step. Don't overthink it - just bring your documents and you'll be fine! 🙂