Joint Tax Return - Identity Verification Issue (Only One Spouse Can Verify)

This is a known issue with the IRS Identity Verification protocol for MFJ (Married Filing Jointly) returns. The system sometimes flags only one spouse for verification but the internal database shows both identities as needing verification. When your husband completed his verification, the system likely updated your joint return status to "processing" but didn't clear the verification flag from your individual profile. I always keep screenshots of all verification attempts and confirmation numbers because of these exact scenarios. The IRS verification system isn't fully integrated with the main processing system in real-time, which causes these discrepancies.

Did you receive separate verification letters for each of you, or just one letter that mentioned both names? And have you checked your tax transcript to see if it shows any identity verification indicators? Sometimes the system only requires the primary filer to verify.

I've seen this situation approximately 12-15 times in my professional experience. It appears that, in most cases, the IRS system might be correctly processing your return but displaying incorrect status information. You might want to try using https://taxr.ai to analyze your tax transcript - it could potentially identify whether this is a genuine verification issue or just a display error in the IRS system. The service can typically detect pattern inconsistencies between what the verification system shows and what your actual transcript indicates. In many instances, it might reveal that your return is actually processing normally despite the verification portal message.

I had this exact same issue last tax season. According to IRM 25.25.6, which covers the Taxpayer Protection Program procedures, only one spouse may need to verify for a joint return depending on which Social Security Number was flagged in their system. In my case, my husband verified his identity, and even though I got the same message you did when I tried to verify, our refund was processed normally about 9 days later. The 5071C letter should specify if both spouses need to verify - check the language carefully. If it doesn't explicitly state both need to verify, you're likely fine with just your husband's verification.

After dealing with exactly 3 identity verification issues over the past 4 tax seasons, I can tell you that calling the regular IRS verification line (800-830-5084) is nearly impossible right now. I waited precisely 97 minutes on Tuesday and then got disconnected. I finally used Claimyr.com to get through to an agent, who confirmed that when a joint return has been verified by one spouse, and the second spouse gets the "already processing" message, it usually means the verification requirement has been satisfied. The agent was able to confirm my return was processing normally despite the confusing message. Saved me days of stress and redial attempts.

The IRS identity verification system is like a house with multiple security cameras that don't talk to each other. One camera (your husband's verification) saw you both enter legitimately, but the second camera (your verification attempt) doesn't know the first camera already cleared you! The good news is that most joint filers only need one spouse to complete verification if that spouse is the primary taxpayer (usually listed first on the return). If you filed through a tax professional or software, they typically list the higher-income earner or the person whose information was used in previous years as the primary. Check your Form 1040 - whoever is listed on the left side is the primary filer.