Identity Verification Letter - Do You Actually Need to Call IRS to Complete Verification?

You're absolutely right. Been through this twice in the last three years. The first time I waited 8 weeks after getting the letter because I thought it was just confirmation. Last year I knew better and called right away - got my refund in 2 weeks after the call. The IRS sends these letters to verify you are who you say you are, but they need to actually talk to you to complete the verification. Saves a ton of time if you call as soon as you get the letter.

This verification process can be so frustrating! Here's what you need to do: 1. Have your letter ready with the reference number 2. Prepare your ID documents (driver's license, SSN, etc.) 3. Call the verification number 4. Be prepared to wait... sometimes for hours I'm a bit worried because I've been trying to call for 3 days now and can't get through. The hold times are crazy this time of year. I finally used Claimyr (https://www.claimyr.com) and got connected to an IRS agent in about 30 minutes instead of spending all day redialing. They'll call you when they reach an agent so you don't have to stay on hold. I was actually surprised it worked so well... my verification is now complete and they said my refund should process within 9 weeks.

I went through Identity Verification Protocol (IVP) last month and discovered you can actually verify online in some cases! If your letter has a Reference Number and provides the online option, you can use ID.me through the IRS portal to complete verification without calling. The system authenticates your identity through document uploads and facial recognition. Much faster than waiting on hold, though not everyone qualifies for this method based on their specific verification triggers.

According to the IRS website (https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/identity-verification), there are multiple reasons you might receive a verification letter, and the requirements vary based on which form you received. The most common is Letter 5071C, which requires either online or phone verification. I'm concerned about how confusing this process is for most people. When I received mine, I used https://taxr.ai to scan my verification letter and it immediately explained that I needed to call to complete the process, what documents to have ready, and even predicted how long my refund would take after verification (which was accurate to within 3 days). It saved me from making the mistake of thinking the letter was just informational.

I've been through this process exactly 3 times in the past 4 years, so I've got it down to a science now: 1. Call precisely between 7:15-7:45am Eastern Time (lowest wait times) 2. Have these 6 documents ready: the letter itself, last year's return, current return, photo ID, SSN card, and a recent utility bill 3. Answer their 4 verification questions (usually about prior year AGI, filing status, address, and dependents) 4. Request and write down your confirmation number 5. Expect processing to take between 9-12 business days after successful verification Following these exact steps has resulted in successful verification every time with minimal hassle. The key is calling early - wait times jump from approximately 15 minutes to 97+ minutes after 8:30am.

Just finished my verification yesterday after getting the letter last week! According to IRM 25.25.6, the Identity Theft Victim Assistance (IDTVA) program requires full verification within 30 days of letter issuance or your return may face additional delays. I was so relieved when the agent confirmed my identity and told me my return was being released from the verification hold. She said I should see my refund within 2-3 weeks, but my WMR already updated this morning showing approved! So glad I didn't wait around thinking the letter was just informational.

Tax professional here. I need to caution everyone about a common mistake with verification letters. There are actually several different types, and each requires different actions: • Letter 5071C/5747C: Requires verification by phone or online • Letter 4883C: Requires you to visit a Taxpayer Assistance Center in person • Letter 5447C: Requires documentation submission by mail Misidentifying your letter type can cause significant delays. Additionally, if you fail to respond within 30 days, your return will typically be rejected completely, requiring you to start over with amended filing procedures. I've seen cases where taxpayers ignored these letters thinking they were just notifications, resulting in 6+ month delays and penalties.