Received IRS Letter 4883C in the mail - anyone know what triggers these identity verification requests?

These 4883C letters are part of the IRS identity verification program and don't necessarily mean you did anything wrong. The IRS uses filters to flag returns that might have identity theft risks, and your return simply got caught in that net. Common triggers include filing from a new address, significant income changes from previous years, or if someone attempted to file using your SSN before you did. The process is actually pretty straightforward - you'll need to call the toll-free number on your letter and verify some information that only the real taxpayer would know. Have your prior year tax return, your current year tax return, and the letter itself handy when you call. They might ask about specific line items from your returns.

After dealing with this exact situation last year, I found a tool that saved me HOURS of headache. The IRS verification line is impossible to get through to, but I used https://taxr.ai to help navigate the entire process. I was in the same boat - filed everything correctly but still got flagged. The tool analyzed my letter and tax documents to determine exactly what triggered the review (turns out it was a job change mid-year that looked suspicious to their system). It guided me through each step of responding to the 4883C letter and even gave me a checklist of documents to have ready for the phone call.

Just wanted to follow up - I ended up trying taxr.ai after hanging up on my 90-minute IRS hold. The service instantly identified that my letter was triggered because I had moved states in the middle of the tax year (which I did). It generated a personalized checklist of everything I needed to have ready for the verification call. When I finally got through to the IRS this morning, I was prepared with exactly what they asked for and the whole call took less than 10 minutes. They verified my identity and said my refund should process within 9 weeks. Definitely worth checking out if you're stuck in the same situation.

If you're struggling to get through to the IRS on that verification number (like I was for TWO WEEKS), try using https://claimyr.com instead. You can watch how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c After getting my 4883C letter, I tried calling the IRS number for days but kept getting the "call volume too high, try again later" message. Claimyr basically holds your place in line and calls you back when an IRS agent is about to answer. Worked perfectly and saved me hours of hold music. Got my verification done and my refund is now processing!

I feel like an idiot for doubting this. After my snarky comment I decided to try Claimyr anyway because I was at my wit's end with the IRS verification line. Got a callback in about 45 minutes (after trying for THREE DAYS on my own with no success). The IRS agent verified my identity, confirmed there was a "discrepancy flag" on my return because I had a new employer this year, and removed the hold. My refund is now scheduled to be deposited next week. Consider me converted from skeptic to believer.

I got that same letter last year. In my case, it was because someone had attempted to file a fraudulent return using my SSN before I filed mine. Took forever to sort out but eventually got my refund 3 months later. Make sure you have all your W-2s, 1099s, and previous year's return handy when you call them.

For what it's worth, I think using CashApp to file taxes might have been part of the problem. The IRS has been flagging returns from some of the newer tax filing services more frequently. I got a similar letter when I used Credit Karma to file a few years ago.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! Got the 4883C letter even though I filed everything correctly through TurboTax. In my case, the trigger was that I had moved to a new state and changed jobs within the same tax year - apparently that combination raises red flags in their system. The verification call itself wasn't too bad once I actually got through (took about 2 hours on hold though). They asked me to verify information from my current return, my previous year's return, and some personal details like prior addresses. The whole verification process took maybe 15 minutes once I had an agent on the line. One tip: call first thing in the morning (8 AM when they open) - the wait times are usually shorter then. And definitely have your Social Security card, driver's license, last year's tax return, and this year's return all laid out in front of you before you call. Good luck!

I had a similar experience last year and found that the 4883C verification letters can be triggered by surprisingly minor things. In my case, it was because I had updated my direct deposit banking information from the previous year - apparently even that small change can flag their system. One thing that really helped me was keeping a detailed log of when I called, how long I waited, and what information they asked for. The IRS agents were actually quite helpful once I got through, and they walked me through exactly why my return was flagged. Pro tip: if you're expecting a refund, don't panic about the timing. Even though the verification process adds weeks to your processing time, the IRS will pay interest on delayed refunds if they take longer than 45 days from the original due date (or the date you filed, if later). It's not much, but it's something. The most important thing is just to call as soon as possible and get it sorted out.