If you filed your taxes close to the deadline, you might still be waiting for your refund. In some cases, the IRS may require you to verify your identity before processing your return.
One taxpayer, who had been filing taxes for 45 years without any issues, shared his surprise when he received a letter from the IRS asking for identity verification. This raised the question: Can the IRS really request this?
Yes — The IRS Can Request Identity Verification
According to Mark Steber, Chief Tax Information Officer at Jackson Hewitt Tax Services, the IRS has the authority to request identity verification before processing certain tax returns.
They do this by sending Letter 5071C or Letter 6331C. These letters are usually issued if:
- You are listed in the IRS’s ID theft database.
- You filed an affidavit stating that your identity was compromised.
- Another tax return was filed under your name.
What Happens If You Receive One of These Letters
If you receive a 5071C or 6331C letter, the IRS cannot process your return until you confirm your identity. The verification process may delay your refund by up to 9 weeks.
To verify your identity, you can:
- Call the hotline listed in the letter.
- Set up an ID.me account through the IRS website.
You will need to provide personal information, including a government-issued photo ID.
Important Security Warning
Steber stresses that the IRS will never contact you by phone, text, or email to request identity verification. If you receive such a request through these methods, it is a scam. The IRS always communicates official verification requests through physical letters sent by mail.
Summary
Yes, the IRS can ask you to verify your identity before processing your tax return, but they will only do so through an official mailed letter. If you receive one, follow the instructions carefully to avoid delays in your refund.
