IRS verification letter arrived but the verification link in my IRS account is gone - what now?
I got my IRS identity verification letter in the mail yesterday (letter 5071C). I was excited because I've been waiting since April to get this so I could verify and finally get my refund. But when I logged into my IRS account to complete the verification, the link that used to be there is completely gone! I checked everywhere in my account and there's no option to verify my identity anymore. I tried calling the IRS verification phone number on the letter but after being on hold for 2 hours they just disconnected me. Has anyone dealt with this before? The letter says I have 30 days to verify so I'm getting really anxious about this. My refund is pretty substantial and I really need it soon.
42 comments
Daniel White
The same thing happened to me last year. The verification link in your account disappears sometimes because their system is glitchy. Try going directly to the ID.me verification site instead of through your IRS account. The letter should have the specific website listed (idverify.irs.gov). You'll need to create an ID.me account if you don't already have one, then verify through that portal. If that doesn't work, keep calling but try early morning (right when they open) or late afternoon around 4pm. Those times usually have shorter wait times. And make sure you're calling the specific identity verification number (800-830-5084) not the general IRS line. You can also try making an in-person appointment at your local IRS office to verify. Sometimes that's actually faster than waiting on the phone.
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Abigail Patel
Thanks for the response! I tried going to idverify.irs.gov but it's asking for information from the letter that I don't have (some verification code). I'll try calling again tomorrow morning when they open.
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Nolan Carter
This is solid advice. I had a similar issue and the early morning call strategy worked. Got through in about 20 minutes at 7:05am.
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Natalia Stone
The id.me process is a TOTAL NIGHTMARE. I had to try 5 different times before it worked. Their facial recognition kept failing.
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Daniel White
Yeah the ID.me process can be frustrating. If you're missing info from the letter, definitely call. And if you have a local IRS office nearby, schedule an appointment through their website. Sometimes in-person is way easier.
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Tasia Synder
I went through something similar recently and discovered this tool called taxr.ai that completely changed the game for me. It analyzes your transcript and explains what's actually happening with your return, including verification issues. I was so confused about my verification status but taxr showed me exactly what was wrong and what I needed to do. The IRS website is such a mess, but this tool made everything clear. You can upload that letter too and it tells you exactly what steps to take. So much better than trying to piece together random advice. https://taxr.ai
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Selena Bautista
Sounds interesting. How exactly does it work? Does it just read your transcript or does it do more?
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Tasia Synder
It does way more than just read transcripts! It actually interprets everything and explains it in plain English. It told me my verification wasn't processing because of a specific issue with my W-2. The IRS never explained that! It also shows all the important dates and deadlines and what actions to take. Honestly it's been a lifesaver during this whole verification nightmare. I'm telling everyone about it now 😂
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Mohamed Anderson
another tax service promising the world...does it actually work tho? 🤔
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Tasia Synder
100% works. I was skeptical too but I was desperate after 3 months of getting nowhere with the IRS. It showed me exactly why my verification was stuck and what to do. Best part is it's super clear about what's happening - not like the cryptic IRS notices. I finally got my refund last week after using the info from taxr!
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Ellie Perry
After weeks of trying to verify my identity (same situation, letter came but no verification option online), I finally used a calling app called Claimyr and it changed everything. I had been trying to call for WEEKS with no luck, but Claimyr got me through to an actual human at the IRS in like 20 minutes. The agent was able to verify me right over the phone and cleared the hold on my account. Check out claimyr.com - talking to an actual agent was the only way I could get this resolved, and my refund was processed the next week. Spending a few bucks to finally get this nightmare over with was totally worth it.
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Landon Morgan
sounds like a scam. why would i pay for something the irs provides for free?
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Ellie Perry
Not a scam at all. The IRS phone service IS free, but have you tried calling lately? I spent 4+ hours on hold multiple times and never reached anyone. Claimyr just helps you skip the hold time - they have some technique for getting through the queue faster. Got me to an actual IRS agent who handled my verification in minutes. After 3 months of frustration, it was the best money I've spent all year.
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Teresa Boyd
i dunno, giving access to some random company to connect with the IRS? seems sketchy
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Ellie Perry
They don't get access to anything - they just navigate the phone system and get you in line, then YOU talk directly to the IRS agent. They're not on the call with you when you're talking to the IRS. It's just a way to avoid the ridiculous hold times.
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Nolan Carter
I can confirm this works too. After trying for days, I used Claimyr last tax season and got through in 15 mins. My friends still can't believe it lol
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Lourdes Fox
The IRS is completely broken. Their systems never talk to each other. I had the same problem - got the letter but the verification option disappeared from my account. I ended up having to make an in-person appointment at my local IRS office. Yes, it was annoying, but they verified me on the spot and my refund showed up 10 days later. You can schedule an appointment by calling 844-545-5640. Just be warned that appointments might be booked out 2-3 weeks depending on your location.
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Abigail Patel
Thank you, I'll look into making an appointment. I didn't know that was even an option!
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Bruno Simmons
In-person is definitely the way to go. Took my mom last month and they fixed her verification issue in like 15 minutes. Phone support is basically useless these days.
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Aileen Rodriguez
Appointments in my area are booked 2 MONTHS out 😠the IRS is a joke
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Zane Gray
PSA: If you receive a verification letter, DO NOT WAIT to verify! The 30-day deadline is serious. After that, your return gets pushed to the back of the line and you're looking at another 60-90 day wait. I learned this the hard way last year. The IRS website and their entire verification system is completely inconsistent, but don't let that stop you from being persistent. Call multiple times, try different times of day, and don't rely solely on the website since it's garbage.
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Maggie Martinez
Whenever the IRS website doesn't show the options you need, try using a different browser or clearing your cache and cookies. Their website has serious compatibility issues. I had the same problem and it turned out the verification link only showed up when I used Firefox - it was completely missing in Chrome. Also, sometimes it doesn't appear until you log out and log back in a few times. Their website is literally the worst thing ever created.
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Abigail Patel
I tried both Chrome and Safari and still nothing, but I'll try Firefox. That's a good tip.
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Alejandro Castro
THIS!!! Omg I thought I was going crazy but the irs site literally shows different things depending on what browser you use. Edge actually worked for me when nothing else did.
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Monique Byrd
Check if there's an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center near you. I had to verify in person because the online system was such a disaster. Bring your letter, photo ID, and copies of your tax returns. It took about 30 minutes once I got there, but was way easier than dealing with their broken website or useless phone system. You do need an appointment though - you can't just walk in.
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Jackie Martinez
the link prolly disappeared cause ur already verified in their system but the letter was sent before that happened. happens ALL THE TIME with them. their compters are from the stone age. check ur transcripts to see if there's any update. if its verified the transcript will show a 971 code.
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Abigail Patel
I just checked my transcript and don't see a 971 code. It still shows a 570 code from May which I think means it's still on hold.
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Jackie Martinez
oof yeah 570 is still on hold. ur gonna have to call then. try right at 7am when they open 😩
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Lia Quinn
Just went through this nightmare myself! If the link disappeared but ur return is still on hold, you gotta call the Taxpayer Protection Program at 800-830-5084, not the regular IRS number. The trick is to call at EXACTLY 7am eastern when they open. I got through after only 12 mins on hold that way. When you talk to them, ask them to verify you over the phone. They can do that as long as you can answer questions about your previous tax returns and have the letter with you. Once I was verified, my refund was processed in about 8 days.
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Abigail Patel
Thank you so much! I'll try calling at 7am tomorrow. Did you need to have your previous tax returns in front of you when you called?
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Lia Quinn
You don't need the actual returns in front of you, but you should know basic info from them like your AGI from last year, any credits you claimed, etc. The questions weren't too hard. They also asked me verification stuff like previous addresses and loan accounts.
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Haley Stokes
I used taxr.ai to help figure out what was going on with my verification issues and it was sooooo helpful! https://taxr.ai The IRS kept sending me in circles but taxr explained exactly what was happening with my transcript and what the verification codes actually meant. I finally understood why my verification wasn't going through (turns out there was a mismatch with my W-2 info that nobody told me about). Saved me like 20 hours of research and frustration.
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Asher Levin
another one of these services... does it actually work or just take your money? 🙄
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Haley Stokes
It absolutely works! I was super skeptical too but after 2 months of getting nowhere with the IRS I was desperate. It explained my transcript in detail and showed me exactly why my verification was being flagged. The IRS never explained any of this! I finally knew what to say when I called them and got it resolved in one call. Best decision I made during this whole tax nightmare.
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Serene Snow
I used it too after seeing it on this sub and it was shockingly good. Showed me all kinds of stuff about my account I had no idea about.
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Issac Nightingale
I had this exact problem! The verification link was there one day and gone the next. After calling the IRS like 50 times with no luck, my sister told me about Claimyr (claimyr.com) and I decided to try it. Got connected to an IRS rep in like 25 minutes which felt like a miracle after all my failed attempts. The agent verified me right over the phone and my refund was processed about 10 days later. Whatever they charge was worth every penny to finally get this resolved instead of waiting months more.
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Romeo Barrett
how much does that cost?
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Issac Nightingale
I don't remember exactly but it was reasonable enough that I didn't think twice about it considering I'd already wasted hours trying to call on my own. I was getting a pretty big refund so it was worth it to me to get that processed faster. The time saved alone was worth it - I had already spent like 8+ hours trying to call the IRS with no success.
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Marina Hendrix
This verification stuff is out of control. My letter came, I verified online, then TWO MONTHS later got ANOTHER letter saying I needed to verify AGAIN. The worst part is the second time there was no online option at all. Had to call and wait 3 hours. The IRS is completely broken.
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Justin Trejo
I think this is actually a glitch in their system. The exact same thing happened to me a few months ago. The verification link disappeared from my account but I still needed to verify. I ended up having to call and wait on hold for ages, but the agent told me it's a known issue with their system - sometimes the verification link vanishes even though verification is still required. Total incompetence on their part.
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Abigail Patel
That's what I was afraid of... their systems are so broken. Did you eventually get verified over the phone?
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Justin Trejo
Yes, they verified me over the phone after asking a bunch of questions. They were actually pretty helpful once I finally got someone on the line. It just took forevvvver to get through. My refund came about 2 weeks after that call.
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