Letters 5071C, Potential Identity Theft During Original Processing with Online Option, is mailed to taxpayers to notify them that the IRS received an income tax return using your name, Social Security number (SSN) or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN).
- There are two versions of this letter, either version is accurate.
- One version includes a QR code and updated format.
- The format update doesn’t change the process to resolve your account.
To protect you from identity theft, the IRS needs to verify your identity before they process the income tax return, issue a refund, or apply the overpayment to next year’s estimated tax.
Learn more about IRS Identity Protection PINs to help prevent misuse of your taxpayer identification number on fraudulent federal income tax returns.
The IRS received an income tax return using your name, Social Security number (SSN) or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN).
The first thing to do is to check the return address to be sure it’s from the Internal Revenue Service and not another agency.
Go to Identity and Tax Return Verification Service to verify your identity and the tax return. You must let the IRS know if you did or didn’t file a tax return. It’s quick, secure, and available 24 hours a day.
If you have trouble signing in, check the frequently asked questions.
After signing in, you’ll then answer questions about the tax return.
Important: If you did file, the IRS won’t be able to process your tax return until you answer the tax return questions. If you verified your identity, but didn’t answer the tax return questions, you must sign in again and answer the questions.
Someone may have filed a fraudulent tax return using your name SSN or ITIN. If you didn’t file a tax return for the tax year shown on your notice, let the IRS know immediately as you may be a victim of identity theft.
Have the following available when you call:
Note: Authorized third parties may be able to assist taxpayers
Online
Use the IRS’s secure Identity Verification Service. It’s quick, secure, and available 24 hours a day.
Have a copy of the 5071C letter you received and a copy of the tax return for the tax year shown in the letter.
By phone
Call the toll-free IRS Identity Verification telephone number in the 5071C letter within 30days from the date of this letter.
The toll-free number IRS Identity Verification number is for Identity Verification only. No other tax-related information, including refund status, is available.
Once you have successfully verified your identity, it may take up to 9 weeks for you to receive your refund or apply the overpayment to next year’s estimated tax. However, if there are other issues, you may receive a notice asking for more information, and this may delay your refund.
If the IRS can’t verify your identity over the phone, they may ask you to schedule an appointment at your local IRS office to verify your identity in person. You will need to bring the documents listed above. You can make an appointment by calling toll free 1-844-545-5640.
Note: Authorized third parties may assist taxpayers, but the taxpayer must be present on the phone or in-person.
Once you have successfully verified your identity, it may take up to 9 weeks for you to receive your refund or apply the overpayment to next year’s estimated tax. However, if there are other issues, you may receive a notice asking for more information, and this may delay your refund.
If the IRS can’t verify your identity over the phone, they may ask you to schedule an appointment at your local IRS office to verify your identity in person. You will need to bring the documents listed above. You can make an appointment by calling toll free 1-844-545-5640.
Understanding your notice or letter
For more specifics on your notice, visit Understanding your IRS Notice or Letter on IRS.gov
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If you still need help
The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers and protects taxpayers’ rights. We can offer you help if your tax problem is causing a financial difficulty, you’ve tried and been unable to resolve your issue with the IRS, or you believe an IRS system, process, or procedure just isn’t working as it should. If you qualify for our assistance, which is always free, we will do everything possible to help you.
Visit www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov or call 1-877-777-4778.
Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) are independent from the IRS and TAS. LITCs represent individuals whose income is below a certain level and who need to resolve tax problems with the IRS. LITCs can represent taxpayers in audits, appeals, and tax collection disputes before the IRS and in court. In addition, LITCs can provide information about taxpayer rights and responsibilities in different languages for individuals who speak English as a second language. Services are offered for free or a small fee. For more information or to find an LITC near you, see the LITC page on the TAS website or Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List.
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The taxpayer Bill of Rights is grouped into 10 easy to understand categories outlining the taxpayer rights and protections embedded in the tax code.
It is also what guides the advocacy work we do for taxpayers.
