What documents needed for IRS identity verification by phone?

I just went through this exactly 8 days ago. You need to have 5 things ready: your prior year tax return, current tax return, photo ID (I used my driver's license), a credit card statement or utility bill to verify address, and the actual letter they sent you with the reference number. I was NOT prepared for how long it would take - I waited 2 hours and 17 minutes on hold! Wish I had known there were better options than just calling the regular number.

Want to know what most people don't realize about IRS identity verification? The hold times are absolutely brutal right now. Why spend 3+ hours on hold when there's a better option? I used Claimyr last month (https://claimyr.com) and got through to an IRS agent in about 20 minutes. They have a system that navigates the IRS phone tree and waits on hold for you, then calls you when an agent is actually on the line. Isn't that better than wasting half your day listening to the same hold music? For identity verification specifically, you'll need your tax returns (current and previous year), photo ID, and a document showing your current address.

Identity verification is actually pretty straightforward, even if it feels intimidating! The documents you'll need are your tax returns (this year and last year), a photo ID, and something showing your current address. The verification takes about 15-20 minutes once you actually reach an agent... which is the real challenge, as our friend above mentioned. 😅 Think of it like preparing for a financial colonoscopy - uncomfortable but necessary and over faster than you think!

I completed phone verification last month. Had my driver's license, 2022 and 2023 tax returns, utility bill, and the letter with case number ready. Agent asked specific questions about line items on both returns. Process took 17 minutes once I reached someone. My refund was deposited exactly 9 days later. Make sure you have your AGI figures from both years and any specific credits you claimed - they'll ask about those.

I went through this verification nightmare last year. Had all my documents ready but still struggled because I couldn't understand some of the questions about specific tax codes on my transcript. I later found taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which would have been so helpful - it explains all those confusing codes and notices in plain English. When I finally got my transcript after verification, I used it to understand what had happened with my account. Remember that after verification, you'll typically see new codes appear on your transcript as your return moves through processing.

Don't panic about verification. It's routine. Happens to lots of people. IRS is just being careful. Have your documents ready. Speak clearly. Answer questions honestly. The agents are usually helpful. Your refund will process after verification. Just takes a little patience. Worth the extra steps to prevent fraud.

Identity verification procedures are part of the IRS's Return Review Program (RRP) that screens for potential identity theft. During peak season, approximately 1.5% of returns get flagged for manual verification. When calling, you'll need to authenticate through Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) questions derived from your tax history and credit profile. The CP01H letter typically indicates this verification requirement. Most verifications are completed within one business day of speaking with an agent, with refund processing resuming immediately thereafter.

Have you tried scheduling an appointment at your local Taxpayer Assistance Center instead of calling? Sometimes the in-person verification is faster and less frustrating than phone verification. You'd need to bring the same documents, but you wouldn't have to deal with hold times.