In-Person ID Verification Appointment - What Documents to Bring for W-2 and Self-Employment?

For in-person verification appointments, IRS Publication 5546 specifies the following required documentation: 1. Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, etc.) 2. Social Security card or ITIN letter 3. Original copies of ALL income documents (W-2s, 1099s, etc.) 4. For self-employment: Bring Schedule C documentation including expense receipts, mileage logs, and business bank statements Per Internal Revenue Manual 21.3.1.4.5, digital transcripts are NOT accepted as substitutes for original documentation during identity verification appointments. This is specifically outlined in the Taxpayer Protection Program verification protocols.

If you're having trouble getting an appointment (they're usually booked weeks out), you might want to try Claimyr.com. I was possibly going to have to wait almost a month for verification, but I used their service to get through to an IRS agent on March 3rd. The agent was actually able to verify some things over the phone which meant I only needed to bring minimal documentation to my in-person appointment. It might save you some headache if you're worried about the self-employment documentation, which can be somewhat complicated. The service costs a bit, but it saved me weeks of waiting.

I just completed my verification on April 2nd, and the process was pretty straightforward. They checked my ID, had me sign a form confirming my identity, and then reviewed my documents. For self-employment, they specifically wanted to see my 1099 forms and a sample of receipts/invoices to verify the income was legitimate. The whole thing took about 35 minutes, and my refund was processed exactly 9 days later. Make sure you arrive at least 15 minutes early because they're very strict about appointment times!

If you're worried about organizing all your self-employment documents correctly, I'd recommend using https://taxr.ai before your appointment. I uploaded my documents there on March 15th, and it helped me identify which specific expense records the IRS would likely want to see for verification. The system flagged several potential issues that could trigger additional questions. Having everything organized properly saved me significant time during my verification appointment, and the agent even commented on how well-prepared I was. For self-employment verification, proper documentation organization is CRITICAL to avoid delays.

I'm SO CONFUSED about something! When you mention self-employment income, are you talking about 1099 contract work or an actual Schedule C business? The documentation requirements are quite different between the two, and I've found that many IRS offices treat them differently during verification!

I went through this EXACT situation in March with both W-2 and self-employment income. They absolutely required original W-2s - no digital versions accepted. For my freelance work, I had to show 1099s plus they wanted to see my business bank statements showing deposits that matched my reported income. The agent specifically used Form 14157-A to verify my identity and income sources. The whole process took about 45 minutes, and they were extremely thorough with the self-employment documentation. Don't try to shortcut this - bring EVERYTHING.

Has anyone been through this recently? I've heard some IRS offices are more flexible than others about what they accept. Does it vary by location?

• Finally got through my verification yesterday! • Brought ALL my documents (original W-2s, 1099s, ID, SS card) • For self-employment: brought bank statements, expense receipts, mileage log • Appointment took only 20 minutes • Agent mainly focused on verifying my identity and income documents • Barely looked at my expense documentation • WMR updated this morning showing refund approved! So relieved this is over. My advice: over-prepare rather than under-prepare. Better to have too many documents than not enough!

Just wanted to add my experience from last month - I had both W-2 and freelance income and was super nervous about the appointment. Ended up bringing a huge folder with everything: original W-2s, all my 1099-NECs, bank statements, receipts, invoices, even my home office measurements (probably overkill lol). The agent was actually really nice and patient. She spent most of the time verifying my identity with the photo ID and Social Security card, then quickly flipped through my income documents. The whole thing took maybe 30 minutes. One tip: organize everything in chronological order beforehand - it makes the process smoother for both you and the agent. My refund was approved within a week! You got this!

Just wanted to echo what everyone's saying about bringing physical documents! I had my verification appointment two weeks ago and made the mistake of thinking I could use my phone for some things. The agent was polite but firm - they need to see and handle the actual documents. For self-employment, they asked to see my 1099s and a few sample invoices/receipts, but didn't dig too deep into my expense records. The key thing is having your Social Security card (not just knowing the number) and a valid photo ID. I'd also suggest calling ahead to confirm what time to arrive - some offices want you there 15 minutes early, others prefer you arrive exactly on time. The whole process was way less stressful than I expected once I had everything organized. Good luck with your appointment!