Need to Verify Identity with IRS - What Number to Call?

You need to call the IRS Identity Verification Service at 800-830-5084. I had to do this last year when they flagged my return. Did they send you a specific letter number? Was it a 5071C or 4883C letter? Those are the common identity verification requests.

I went through this identity verification nightmare last year! 😅 Had all my documents ready - tax returns, birth certificate, driver's license, blood type, first pet's name, and my kindergarten report card (kidding on those last ones... mostly). One thing that really helped was using taxr.ai to analyze my transcript first. It showed me exactly what codes were on my account and explained that the "570" code meant my return was on hold pending verification. Gave me confidence knowing what was happening behind the scenes before calling. Check it out at https://taxr.ai if you want to see what's actually happening with your return.

The number you need is 800-830-5084 specifically for identity verification. When I worked at a tax preparation firm, we had clients go through this process frequently. Make sure you have your prior year AGI, your current tax return information, and at least two forms of ID ready before calling. This is different from the regular IRS customer service line, which is why you were getting stuck in loops.

I had to verify my identity last tax season, and the regular IRS number was completely useless compared to other government agencies I've dealt with. After 3 days of trying to get through, I used Claimyr and got connected to an agent in about 15 minutes. Saved me hours of hold time and frustration. They got me to the right department immediately. https://claimyr.com if you're interested.

I'm concerned about the increase in these verification requests. Looking at the data, identity verification requests have increased by 32% in the past 2 years. Is this just another delay tactic? I called that 800-830-5084 number last month and waited exactly 97 minutes before speaking to anyone. Then they asked me questions about a mortgage from 2018 that I never had. The whole system seems designed to delay refunds.

FWIW the ID verify process isn't as bad as ppl make it out to be. Got thru it in ~20 mins last yr. Just have ur docs ready (SSN, DOB, filing status, last yr's return, and the letter they sent). The IRS is just trying to prevent fraud tbh. Better than having someone else claim ur refund!

Be very careful with this process. I had a client who ignored an identity verification letter thinking it was a scam, and their refund was held for 120 days. The IRS will not process your return until verification is complete. If you can't verify by phone at 800-830-5084, you may need to schedule an in-person appointment at your local Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) through 844-545-5640. The verification hold (TC 570) won't clear until you complete this step.

Does anyone know if this identity verification affects state refunds too? I'm waiting on about $1,200 from federal and $450 from state. Last year my state processed in just 9 days while federal took forever. Wondering if I should expect both to be delayed now?

I successfully completed ID verification last month. Here's what worked for me: • Called 800-830-5084 at exactly 7:01am (right when they opened) • Wait time was only 12 minutes (vs 2+ hours when I tried at noon) • Had these ready: photo ID, social security card, tax return, and the letter • Answered questions about previous addresses and loans • Agent confirmed my identity in about 10 minutes • Refund appeared 9 days later Hope this helps!

Thanks for sharing your early morning strategy @Yuki Tanaka! That 7:01am tip is gold - makes total sense that wait times would be shorter right when they open. For anyone else dealing with this, I'd also recommend having a backup plan ready. If you can't get through by phone after a few attempts, don't panic. You can also verify your identity in person at a Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC). You'll need to make an appointment first by calling 844-545-5640, but sometimes it's faster than playing phone tag. One more thing - keep checking your IRS online account or transcript after verification. The hold code (570) should disappear within a few business days, and then your refund will process. The whole thing is annoying but definitely manageable if you're prepared!