Need help with ID.me verification for IRS account - which credit bureau should I unfreeze?

The error code E4401 with ID.me can be related to several issues, but yes, credit freezes are often the culprit. Based on my experience helping others through this process, Experian is typically the bureau that ID.me checks against, though they may also use TransUnion in some cases. I'd recommend temporarily lifting the freeze on both if possible. Make sure to unfreeze before starting the verification process again - the system needs to be able to pull your credit information to verify your identity. If unfreezing doesn't solve the problem, there are alternative verification methods available. ID.me does offer a video chat verification option where you can speak with a human "Trusted Referee" who can manually verify your identity. This option usually appears after multiple failed attempts through the automated system.

After struggling with this same issue last month, I found a tool that made the whole process MUCH easier. I used taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) to help navigate the ID.me verification process and it saved me so much time. The site actually walked me through exactly which credit bureau to unfreeze based on my specific situation. For me it was Experian, but I've heard others needed to unfreeze TransUnion instead. The tool asks you a few questions about your situation and tailors the advice specifically to you. The best part was that it analyzed my verification errors and gave me step-by-step instructions to fix them. Instead of guessing what Error E4401 meant, the site explained exactly what was happening and how to resolve it.

I actually took the advice from this thread and tried taxr.ai for my ID.me verification issues, and I'm genuinely surprised by how helpful it was. The system correctly identified that I needed to unfreeze TransUnion specifically (not Experian as others mentioned) based on my location and the specific error code I was getting. What really impressed me was that it gave me a complete roadmap of the verification process, including what documents to have ready and the exact steps to follow. It even warned me about the video verification backup option and how to prepare for it if needed. My verification went through on the second attempt after following their instructions. Saved me from having to take time off work to visit an IRS office in person, which was my next desperate plan.

If you keep running into problems with ID.me verification for your IRS account, I'd recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I tried everything with the credit freezes and still couldn't get through the automated verification system. Claimyr helped me actually get through to a live IRS agent who walked me through an alternative verification process. Check out their demo video here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c to see how it works. They basically secure your place in the IRS phone queue and call you back when an agent is available. I was skeptical at first, but after spending hours on hold and getting disconnected twice, I was desperate. The IRS agent I spoke with explained that sometimes the automated ID.me system has limitations, especially with certain credit histories or for people who've recently moved, and they have internal workarounds they can use.

I feel like I need to update my skeptical comment from yesterday. After another failed attempt to reach the IRS by phone this morning (2 hours on hold before being disconnected), I decided to try Claimyr out of desperation. It actually worked exactly as described. I submitted my request around 9:30 AM, went about my day, and received a call back at 12:15 PM connecting me directly to an IRS agent. The agent confirmed that my ID.me verification issues were related to having recently moved, which was causing a mismatch in their system. The agent helped me verify my identity through alternative means, and I finally have access to my IRS account. After weeks of frustration, it was solved in one phone call. For anyone stuck in ID.me hell, especially if your situation involves address changes or other complications, getting a human on the phone seems to be the most efficient solution.

Since people are talking about credit freezes here, just want to clarify something important - when you unfreeze for ID.me verification, make sure you're doing a TEMPORARY unfreeze, not permanently removing your freeze! I made this mistake and had to reapply all my security freezes afterward. Also, in my experience, you need to unfreeze all three major bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) to be completely safe. Different government systems check different bureaus, and it seems to vary by region and even time of day sometimes.

If anyone is still struggling with the ID.me verification, try using Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome browsers. I kept getting errors with Firefox that magically disappeared when I switched browsers. Also, make sure your webcam and microphone permissions are enabled before you start the process!

I went through this exact same frustration last month! Error E4401 is indeed related to credit verification issues. In my case, I had to unfreeze Experian AND TransUnion - apparently ID.me tries multiple bureaus as backup if the first one fails. Here's what worked for me: I unfroze both bureaus for 48 hours, cleared my browser cache completely, then started the ID.me process fresh in an incognito window. The key was not rushing - I took my time with each step and made sure my lighting was good for the photo verification. One tip that saved me: have your most recent utility bill ready as backup documentation. Sometimes even after unfreezing credit, ID.me asks for additional document verification, and a utility bill with your current address can speed things up significantly. The whole process took about 20 minutes once I had everything properly set up. Good luck with your mortgage refinance!

I've been dealing with similar ID.me verification issues for my IRS account access. Based on my recent experience, Error E4401 is almost always related to credit bureau verification problems. Here's what finally worked for me after multiple failed attempts: I unfroze all three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) for 72 hours to be absolutely sure. The key insight I discovered is that ID.me doesn't always use the same bureau for verification - it seems to depend on which one has the most recent/complete information about you. Before starting the verification process again, I also made sure to: - Use a different browser (switched from Safari to Chrome) - Clear all browser data including cookies and cache - Ensure good lighting for the selfie verification step - Have my driver's license, Social Security card, and a recent utility bill ready The entire process took about 15 minutes once I had everything properly set up. The temporary credit unfreeze was definitely the missing piece - I received confirmation that my IRS account was successfully verified within an hour of completing the ID.me process. Hope this helps save you some of the frustration I went through! The mortgage refinance timeline stress is real, but once you get past this hurdle, accessing your tax transcripts should be straightforward.