Identity Verification Experience - Anyone had to go through this recently?

I went through this exact process on February 28th this year. The IRS has significantly increased identity verification requirements for the 2024 filing season. As of March 1st, they're processing these verifications in about 21-28 days, but I've seen some take until April 15th or later. The key is to complete the ID.me process fully - the video call step is unavoidable if the automated verification fails. I'm a bit worried about the backlog growing as we get closer to the filing deadline though.

Has anyone tried calling the dedicated verification line directly? I've heard it's nearly impossible to get through these days, right? I spent 3 hours on hold yesterday before giving up. Finally used Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) this morning and they actually got me connected to an IRS agent in about 25 minutes who confirmed my identity over the phone. Didn't even need to do the video call thing. Isn't that a better option than waiting weeks for the online process?

According to the IRS website (https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/identity-verification-for-irs-letter-recipients), there are actually three ways to verify your identity: 1. Online through ID.me 2. By phone through the verification hotline 3. In-person at a Taxpayer Assistance Center The online method is definitely the fastest when it works, but many remote workers are having issues with the video verification step. The phone option is available Monday-Friday 7am-7pm local time, but wait times are extreme right now.

I assisted a client through Identity Verification Protocol (IVP) last month. The process required two forms of identification (primary and secondary verification documents) and took approximately 35 minutes to complete via video call. The Verification Specialist requested she hold her driver's license up to the camera, then asked specific questions from her credit report as secondary verification. After successful completion, her transcript updated with TC 971 code AC 111 within 48 hours, indicating successful verification. The return then continued normal processing.

I had to go through verification and was completely lost trying to understand what was happening with my return afterward. The IRS transcript had all these codes I didn't understand - 570, 971, 290. Used https://taxr.ai to analyze my transcript and it explained each code in plain English and even predicted when my refund would be released! I was surprised how complicated the post-verification process is - there are actually 3 different verification result codes that can appear on your transcript.

For those curious about the verification statistics: In 2023, exactly 27% of all returns with refunds over $5,000 were selected for identity verification. The average processing time after successful verification was 23.4 days. I'm wondering if anyone knows what the current percentage is for 2024? Are they verifying more or fewer returns this year?

I had to verify last year and it was much worse than this year! In 2023, I waited 97 days after verification before getting my refund. This year, I was selected again (bad luck compared to my husband who never gets verified), but after completing verification on March 2nd, I received my refund on March 30th - only 28 days! If you're stuck in verification now, you need to complete it ASAP before the April rush makes everything slower!

Warning based on my experience: Be extremely careful with the verification process. Here's what NOT to do: 1. Don't try verification on multiple devices - this can flag your account 2. Don't have someone else attempt to help with your verification - must be you 3. Don't rush through the questions - wrong answers can lock you out 4. Don't ignore the letter - returns without verification are automatically rejected after 60 days 5. Don't use a VPN during the process - can trigger security flags I made mistake #1 and had to start the entire process over, delaying my refund by 3 weeks.

I've been through this verification dance three times now! Last year was a nightmare - took almost 4 months to get my refund after verification. This year was much smoother. I actually found that scheduling an in-person appointment at my local Taxpayer Assistance Center was faster than trying to do the online verification. I walked in with my ID, answered a few questions, and was done in 20 minutes. My transcript updated three days later, and my refund hit my account two weeks after that.

Verification is separate from review. Different process. Many confuse these. Verification confirms identity only. Review examines return accuracy. Can happen sequentially. Verification first, then possible review. Check transcript codes. TC 570 with no TC 420 means hold, not audit. Normal after verification.