How to verify your identity with the IRS

Why does the IRS need to verify your identity?

The IRS may need to verify your identity for one primary reason — to protect you from tax identity theft and fraud. Criminals often steal Social Security numbers (SSNs) to file fake tax returns and claim the refunds. Identity verification with the IRS helps to protect you against these schemes.

Several specific situations trigger this identity verification process: 

• The IRS flagged your tax return due to discrepancies between your current and prior year tax return filings.
• You recently moved and now have a new address.
• You changed your filing status.
• Your personal information was affected by a data breach.
• Your employer fell victim to a W-2 phishing scam that affected.

The IRS also uses automated fraud detection systems that scan for suspicious patterns. Sometimes it randomly selects returns for additional review and may initiate verification requests.

Getting an identity verification letter doesn’t mean you did something wrong. It’s a standard security measure that happens to millions of taxpayers. But you need to respond quickly — the IRS won’t process your return or send your refund until you do.

Ignore the letter and things get worse. The IRS may treat your return as fraud and archive it. You could lose your refund entirely due to statute of limitations. Worst case? If someone did steal your identity to file a fake return, not responding leaves you wide open to more fraud. 

How the IRS asks you to verify your identity

The IRS contacts you through three official channels when it needs you to verify your identity. The first and most common way is a letter via U.S. mail. The IRS also provides online verification methods and a phone call option, but only after you receive that initial letter. The IRS never starts the verification process with an email, text, or phone call.

Important: The IRS always sends a physical letter first when it needs you to verify your  identity. If someone contacts you by email, text, or unsolicited phone call claiming to be the IRS asking for verification, it’s a scam.

Common IRS letters for identity verification

The IRS sends different verification letters, but they all address the same concern — someone filed a tax return using your SSN, and the IRS needs to confirm whether you filed it or if you’re a victim of identity theft.

Letter 5071C

Letter 5071C is the most common one. The IRS sends it when it suspects potential identity theft during processing your return. You can then verify your identity online through the IRS Identity Verification Service or by phone calling the number in your letter. If you didn’t file a return, this letter means someone likely stole your identity. If you did file, you need to verify so the IRS can process your refund.

Letter 4883C

Letter 4883C only gives you a phone verification option. No online option here. Call the toll-free number in your letter to verify your identity and tell the IRS whether you filed the return or not. This letter also indicates potential identity theft, so take it seriously.

Letter 5447C

Letter 5447C works like 5071C, but it’s sent to international taxpayers. You get both online and phone verification options. The IRS needs you to verify your identity and confirm whether you filed the return or if someone else did so pretending to be you.

Letter 5747C

Letter 5747C requires an in-person appointment at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center. The IRS only sends this letter when it needs the highest level of identity verification. Bring valid government-issued photo ID and other documents listed in your letter to the appointment.

What to do next

Follow your letter’s specific instructions immediately. Don’t ignore these letters even if deadlines have passed — respond as soon as possible. The IRS pauses processing your return until you verify, and delays can stretch your case resolution to 18-24 months.

Signs of a real IRS identity verification letter

Real IRS letters have specific features that are difficult for scammers to replicate. Look for the official IRS logo and letterhead at the top. Every genuine letter has a notice number (CP) or letter number (LTR) in the top or bottom right corner. The dates will be recent and properly formatted, and you won’t see spelling or grammar mistakes.

Got a letter that looks suspicious? Call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 to verify it’s real. Don’t call any number listed in a questionable letter.

Can the IRS verify your identity on a call?

Yes, phone verification is completely legitimate — but only when your official IRS letter tells you to call. The letter will include a specific phone number for verification purposes only.

Before you call, gather these documents:

• Your IRS letter.
• The previous year’s tax return.
• The current year’s tax return.
• All supporting forms.

The phone system uses automated questions that only you should know the answers to. These questions confirm your identity before connecting you with an IRS employee who can process your verification.

Never respond to unsolicited calls claiming to be the IRS. Real IRS agents don’t call you out of the blue asking for identity verification. They send letters first.

How to verify your identity with the IRS

It’s fastest to verify your identity online or via a phone call, but in specific cases the IRS may require you to pay it an in-person visit for verification purposes. Your IRS letter tells you which options to use.

Online identity verification with ID.me

Online verification is your quickest option if your letter allows it. You’ll need to create an ID.me account and verify your identity first, then use that account to access IRS services and complete the verification process.

ID.me is a digital identity wallet that lets you securely prove who you are online. The IRS requires you to use ID.me to access its online services.

To verify your identity with the IRS (using ID.me), you’ll need:

• A photo of your government-issued identity document (driver’s license, state ID, or passport).
• A smartphone or computer with a webcam to take a selfie.
• Your IRS letter and tax return information.

You can choose between two ID.me verification options. The self-service process lets you upload your ID photo and take a selfie yourself — this usually takes 5-10 minutes. If self-service doesn’t work, you can verify through a live video call with an ID.me agent.

Once ID.me verifies your identity, you can use that same account to sign into IRS online services and complete your tax return verification.

Identity verification by phone

Phone verification works when your letter includes a specific phone number to call. Only use the number printed in your IRS letter — never call random numbers you find online. 

If the letter looks suspicious, call the official IRS number 1-800-829-1040 to confirm its legitimacy.

Before calling the number provided in your letter, gather these documents:

• SSNs and birth dates for those who were named on your tax return.
• An individual taxpayer identification number (if you have one).
• Your filing status.
• The prior year tax return.
• A copy of the tax return in question.
• Any IRS letters or notices you received.

The phone system will ask automated identity questions before connecting you to an IRS employee. This process can take longer than online verification due to call volume.

If the IRS employee can’t verify your identity over the phone, they may ask you to schedule an in-person appointment at your local IRS office.

In-person identity verification

In-person verification happens only when the IRS sends you Letter 5747C or when other verification methods fail. You must make an appointment at a Taxpayer Assistance Center — walk-ins aren’t allowed.

Bring your valid federal or state government-issued picture ID (a driver’s license, state ID, or passport) and at least one of the following forms of identification:

• Current federal or state government-issued identity document that is different from the first document.
• U.S. Social Security card.
• Mortgage statement with current address.
• Lease agreement for a house or apartment with current address.
• Car title.
• Voter registration card (not the voter registration application).
• Utility bill matching the address on your government-issued ID.
• Birth certificate.
• Current school records.

It can take several weeks to schedule an appointment, so call as soon as you receive your letter. The IRS employee will review your documents and verify your identity on the spot.

What to do after you verify your identity

Once you verify your identity, the IRS will continue to process your return. Check your refund status in 2-3 weeks using the “Where’s My Refund” tool on IRS.gov.

The IRS may contact you again if it finds other issues during processing — like math errors or missing forms — which can cause additional delays. Don’t panic — simply respond to any new letters promptly.

Consider getting an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) after verification. This six-digit number helps prevent future identity theft because it’s required on all your tax returns. You can request an IRS IP PIN online through your IRS account once you’ve verified your identity. The IRS will mail your first IP PIN to you within 4-6 weeks in a Notice CP01A. But IP PINs expire annually, so you’ll need to retrieve a new PIN online each January.

How long does it take to get your refund after IRS verification?

The IRS officially says it takes up to 9 weeks to process your return after identity verification. It doesn’t mean that you’ll have to wait the whole 9 weeks — you might get your refund in a few days or weeks, provided there are no issues with your tax return form(s).

However, a couple of factors can affect your post-verification timeline:

• Additional issues discovered during processing. Math errors, missing forms, or other problems can extend the processing period.
• Current IRS workload. When the IRS is swamped with returns, processing takes longer.

Check your refund status 2-3 weeks after verification using the “Where’s My Refund” tool. If 9 weeks pass without updates, call the IRS using the number on your verification letter.

Remember — this 9-week timeline only starts after you successfully verify your identity. Every day you delay responding adds to your total wait time.

What to do if the IRS can’t verify your identity

Don’t worry if identity verification fails and try an alternative verification method — phone verification, ID.me’s verification, or in-person verification:

• Phone verification. Call the toll-free number on your specific IRS letter. This number is for identity and tax return verification only. The IRS will ask you to verify your identity before discussing any personal information.
• ID.me’s alternative options. If online verification fails, ID.me offers a video call option where you upload your documents and join a quick video call with an agent.
• In-person appointment at your local IRS office. Make an appointment and bring valid federal or state government-issued picture identification and all the other documents listed above in the “In-person identity verification” section.

Gather these documents before trying any method:

• Your IRS verification letter
• Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport)
• Previous and current year tax returns
• All supporting forms and schedules

Most importantly — don’t ignore the letter because processing stops until you verify your identity. And remember that the IRS doesn’t initiate verification requests by email or phone, so be careful if you receive a suspicious phone call claiming to be from the IRS.

How to know if an IRS identity verification request is legit

The IRS typically contacts you first by mail through the U.S. Postal Service. It never starts identity verification through email, text, or phone calls.

If you received a suspicious letter or call, verify it by searching the notices and letters section on the official IRS website or calling the service directly at 1-800-829-1040.

Important: Always contact the IRS using official phone numbers on its website.

Signs of a scam IRS letter

While some signs of scam IRS letters are easy to overlook, others just scream “fraud.” The most easily recognizable red flags in letter include:

• Demands for immediate payment or threats of collection action.
• Claims you owe additional tax with a refund offset.
• Unsolicited offers to “settle” tax debt.

If you received an email claiming to be from the IRS, look for the following red flags:

• Requests to verify your identity.
• Refund offers.
• Urgent or threatening language demanding immediate action.
• Spelling errors or unusual phrasing.
• Unexpected attachments.

Do you see a QR code in a letter or email claiming to be from the IRS? Don’t scan it immediately. Scammers create fake QR codes that lead to phishing websites designed to steal your information. Always contact the IRS directly first to verify where that code actually takes you.

Signs of a scam IRS call

The IRS never initiates identity verification by phone, so any call pressuring you to verify your identity is a scam.

But you may get a call from someone claiming to be working for the IRS and asking you for something other than identity verification. A call like that may also be a scam, so look for these warning signs:

• Demands for immediate action or threats of arrest.
• Requests for personal information like SSN or banking details.
• Demands for payment using gift cards or wire transfers.
• Calls using AI voices that sound realistic but use scripted responses.
• Threats about collection action or legal consequences.

Remember, legitimate IRS employees only call in specific situations. And if they visit you in person, they always provide proper identification. Even then, in-person visits are rare and usually preceded by a written notice.

What to do: If someone calls claiming to be the IRS about identity verification, hang up and call the IRS directly at the official number on its website to verify whether it actually needs to contact you.

How to avoid IRS-related fraud

Preventing identity theft takes much less effort than dealing with the aftermath. Essentially, you need to create multiple barriers between criminals and your personal information.

1. Get the IRS Identity Protection PIN. This six-digit number prevents anyone from filing a tax return using your SSN. Even if a thief has already filed a fraudulent return, an IP PIN will stop them from taking advantage of you again.
2. File your tax return early. Beat identity thieves to the punch by filing as soon as you have all your tax documents. Criminals can’t file a fake return if you’ve already filed the real one.
3. Use strong security practices when filing tax returns. Always file electronically on secure, password-protected Wi-Fi networks, and create strong, unique passwords for all your tax-related accounts. Additionally, install security software on your computer and keep it updated. Finally, consider using a secure mailbox like a USPS P.O. box or private mailbox service for sending and receiving sensitive documents instead of your regular home mailbox.
4. Protect your SSN. Only provide your SSN when absolutely necessary and verify who’s asking for it. Don’t carry it in your wallet every day — keep it safe.
5. Monitor your information year-round. Consider using a comprehensive identity theft protection service like NordProtect that monitors your information, including your SSN, for leaks on the dark web. These services complement IRS protections by watching for suspicious activity across your personal and credit information and sending you immediate security alerts when they detect potential threats.
6. Stay alert to scams. Learn to recognize phishing emails, scam calls, and fake IRS communications. When in doubt, contact the IRS directly using its official phone numbers.

Taking these steps now can save you from months of paperwork and stress later. But if the worst does happen and someone takes advantage of your personal information, having identity theft recovery services can help cover the costs and guide you through the complex identity restoration process.