The IRS is unable to verify your identity to finish processing your return.
The IRS received your individual income tax return but needs additional information to verify your identity.
The letter also provides you with your right to file suit in either your U.S. District Court or the U.S. Court of Federal Claims to recover your refund plus interest.
You submitted your individual income tax return and the IRS was not able to verify your identity to complete the processing of your return based on the information you previously provided. This letter is being sent to you because more information is needed to complete the processing of your individual income tax return.
This documentation to verify your identity can include:
The first thing to do is to check the return address on your letter to be sure it’s from the IRS and not some type of a scam to obtain personal information from you. If you suspect the letter to be a scam, report it to the IRS at Report Phishing.
If the letter is authentic, read the letter carefully and call the toll-free phone number listed on the letter to determine what information the IRS needs to verify your identity and complete the processing of your return.
Don’t send another copy of your return unless the IRS asks you to do so. Do not file a Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. After the IRS receives the requested information, they’ll use it to process your original tax return.
If you’re entitled to a refund, the IRS will send it about nine weeks from the time they receive your response, plus any applicable interest.
If you choose, you may be represented by a third party such as an attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled agent. Also, you may be represented by a member of your immediate family, or a student or law graduate working in a low-income taxpayer clinic or student tax clinic program. If you want your representative to advocate on your behalf and appear without you before the IRS, you must file a properly completed Form 2848 (no earlier than 01/2021 revision), Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative. You may also authorize an individual to receive or inspect confidential material but not represent you before the IRS, by filing a Form 8821, Tax Information Authorization. These forms are available at your local IRS office, by calling 1-800-829-3676, or from www.IRS.gov.
A valid federal or state government-issued picture identification, such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport.
And at least ONE of the following forms of identification:
Once you have successfully verified your identity, the IRS will continue processing your tax return. It may take up to nine weeks for you to receive your refund plus any applicable interest, or apply the overpayment to next year’s estimated tax. You can visit Where’s My Refund? on irs.gov or on the IRS2Go mobile app after two – three weeks from verifying your identity.
However, if there are other issues, you may receive a notice asking for more information and this may delay your refund.
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. 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).
View our Interactive Tax Map
Let us help you navigate your way through the IRS. Visit our interactive tax map to see where you are in the tax process.
Taxpayer Roadmap
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.
