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

This is correct. According to IRS Publication 5027, the Identity Verification Service at 800-830-5084 is specifically designated for taxpayers who have received letters requesting identity verification. The hours of operation are 7am to 7pm local time, Monday through Friday.

I appreciate the information! Just to add some clarity on the process: Step 1: Gather your documents before calling (ID, tax return, letter from IRS) Step 2: Call the number during business hours Step 3: Navigate through the automated system (usually option 1 for English, then follow prompts) Step 4: Be prepared to answer questions about your identity and tax history Step 5: After verification, ask for estimated processing timeframe

I'm always wary of these third-party services. How do you know they're secure? The IRS already has trust issues with me after flagging my return last year!

What happened after they asked about the mortgage? Did they still verify you? I'm worried now. Got the same letter yesterday. Need my refund soon.

I understand your concern about both refunds. Generally, state and federal processing are separate systems, so your state refund might still process normally. However, some states do cross-check with federal databases, so there's a possibility of delay. If you received your state refund last year while federal was delayed, that's a good sign the same might happen this year.

Thanks for all the helpful info here! I've been checking my mailbox obsessively for weeks - now I know what to do when that letter arrives!

Great advice about having a backup plan! I'm new to dealing with tax issues and this whole thread has been super helpful. Quick question though - when you mention checking the IRS online account for the hold code to disappear, do you need to set that up beforehand or can you create it during this process? I don't think I have an online account with them yet.

@Ravi Gupta You can definitely create the IRS online account during this process! Just go to irs.gov and look for Create "Account -" you ll'need your SSN, filing status, and some info from a recent tax return to verify your identity online. It s'actually really helpful to have because you can see exactly what s'happening with your return in real-time. Plus once you have it set up, you can use it for future years to track refunds, get transcripts, and make payments. The whole verification process takes about 10-15 minutes online, and then you ll'have access to view your account transcript where you can see those hold codes everyone s'talking about.

You can create an IRS online account anytime at irs.gov - just click "Sign In to Your Online Account" and then "Create Account." You'll need to verify your identity through ID.me, which requires a photo ID and either a phone number or credit report verification. Once it's set up, you can view your tax transcripts and see any hold codes. It's actually pretty useful to have even after this identity verification issue is resolved - you can track refund status, view past returns, and get transcripts instantly instead of waiting for mail. Just make sure to use a secure password since it contains sensitive tax information!

You can create an IRS online account anytime at irs.gov/account, but you'll need to verify your identity to set it up (which might be tricky if you're already in the identity verification process). The account creation requires answering questions about your financial history, similar to what they ask during phone verification. If you can't create the account right now, don't worry - you can still check your refund status using the "Where's My Refund" tool on irs.gov with just your SSN, filing status, and refund amount. Once your identity verification is complete, setting up the online account becomes much easier!

@Ravi Gupta You can definitely create an IRS online account during this process - no need to set it up beforehand! Just go to irs.gov and look for Get "Your Tax Record or" View "Your Account Information ."You ll'need to verify your identity to create the account different (from the tax return verification ,)but it s'pretty straightforward with your SSN, filing status, and some personal info. Once you re'set up, you can track your refund status and see those transaction codes we ve'been talking about. It s'actually really helpful to have even after you resolve this current issue!

@Ravi Gupta You can definitely create an IRS online account during this process - actually, it s'really helpful to have! Go to irs.gov and look for Get "Your Tax Record or" View "Your Account Information. You" ll'need to verify your identity online first different (from the phone verification using) ID.me. Once you re'set up, you can check your account transcript to see transaction codes like the 570 hold code. It s'super useful for tracking what s'happening with your return in real-time instead of just wondering and waiting!

@Ravi Gupta You can definitely create an IRS online account during this process! Go to irs.gov and look for Sign "In to Your Online Account -" you ll'need to verify your identity through ID.me first which (is separate from the tax verification issue you re'dealing with .)It s'actually really helpful to have because you can check your transcript and see exactly what codes are on your account. That way you ll'know when the 570 hold code gets removed and your refund starts processing again.

@Ravi Gupta You can definitely create your IRS online account during this process - you don t'need to have it set up beforehand! Just go to irs.gov and look for Get "Your Tax Record or" View "Your Account Information. You" ll'need to verify your identity online first which (is separate from the phone verification for your return ,)but it s'pretty straightforward. You ll'need your SSN, filing status, prior year AGI, and a phone number on file with them. Once you re'in, you can see all the transaction codes on your account, including that 570 hold code. Really helpful for tracking the progress!