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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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The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS. TAS helps taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS, makes administrative and legislative recommendations to prevent or correct the problems, and protects taxpayer rights. TAS helps all taxpayers (and their representatives), including individuals, businesses, and exempt organizations. You may be eligible for free TAS help if your IRS problem is causing financial difficulty, if you’ve tried and been unable to resolve your issue with the IRS, or if you believe an IRS system, process, or procedure just isn’t working as it should.
TAS has offices in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. To find your local advocate’s number:
Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) assist individuals whose income is below a certain level who need to resolve tax problems with the IRS. They also provide education, outreach, and information on taxpayer rights to individuals who speak English as a second language. LITCs represent taxpayers in disputes before the IRS and courts and help taxpayers respond to IRS notices and correct account problems. Services are offered for free or a small fee. LITCs are independent from the IRS and TAS. For more information or to find an LITC near you, see the LITC Page or Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List. You can also request Pub. 4134 by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).
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