How long does that take? It depends on the complexity of your problem. The IRS says that it resolves tax identity theft cases in 120 to 180 days, depending on your circumstances. But in many instances, victims of complex tax identity theft have experienced resolution times of more than one year.
If you believe you're a victim of identity theft
If you did not receive a notice but believe you've been the victim of identity theft, contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490, extension 245 right away so we can take steps to secure your tax account and match your SSN or ITIN.
When you discover another a tax return has been filed with your Social Security number, you'll use IRS Form 14039 to alert the IRS. When you complete this form, you'll indicate that someone has stolen your identity and it has affected your tax account since they have filed a return using your identifying information.
If the verification proves you are the person named on the return and that you personally filed the return, the return will be processed. After successful verification, it takes about 6 weeks to complete processing.
The police will ask for your FTC identity theft report as part of their reporting process, and other entities like financial institutions or credit card companies might want the FTC report as well.
The processing of your Form 14039 and the resulting investigation takes around 120 days in most cases, but sometimes takes 180 days or longer, so you'll need to be patient. Any refund you're due will be released to you after your identity has been verified.
The IRS takes identity theft seriously and is committed to resolving identity theft cases as quickly as possible and are taking steps to reduce this timeframe to 120 days or less. You will be contacted when your case is resolved.
The IRS is using ID.me, a trusted technology provider of identity verification and sign-in services, for taxpayers to securely access IRS tools. Anyone with an existing ID.me account from the Child Tax Credit Update Portal, or from another government agency, can sign in with their existing credentials.
The IRS sends these identity verification letters to taxpayers after receiving an e-filed/paper-filed tax return, before processing a refund. Sometimes this is to randomly verify identification as a measure to prevent identity theft and to test and strengthen IRS internal controls.
In fact, the IRS will never contact you over the phone asking for your social security number. They will contact you first through the mail, says Joseph. “Typically, the first contact letter will instruct you to call an 800 number— usually 1-800-829-1040—to discuss your return.
The IRS sends a 5071C letter when it receives a tax return with your name and tax identification number, but believes the return to be fraudulent. A Letter 5071C will ask you to complete an online identity verification process to confirm your identity.
Completing Form 14039, attaching it to a paper tax return and mailing it to the IRS is the way to inform the IRS that the taxpayer may be a victim. The IRS will then identify the fraudulent return and, after an investigation, clear the account and process the paper tax return.
The types of identity theft they may face are the same as anyone else: financial identity theft, tax identity theft and medical identity theft, for instance.
If you believe someone is using your Social Security number to work, get your tax refund, or other abuses involving taxes, contact the IRS online or call 1-800-908-4490. You can order free credit reports annually from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion).
(added March 14, 2022) After you verify your identity and tax return information using this service, it may take up to nine weeks to complete the processing of the return. Visit Where's My Refund? or use the IRS2Go mobile app 2-3 weeks after using this service to check your refund status.
Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-0433 if you think someone has filed your taxes without your permission. Contacting the IRS and inquiring about the status of your tax return is the best way to determine whether a return has been filed without your consent.
Receiving maximum sentences is rare. For the less sophisticated operation, sentences of anywhere between 6 months and 2 years is typically given. For a planned identity fraud that is skilfully put together, penalties may be between 2- and 7-years imprisonment.
The most common way an identity thief can acquire information from a person is from stealing their purse or wallet and an identity thief may take a person's personal information from the internet.
As this Subcommittee is well aware, the FBI, along with other federal law enforcement agencies, investigates and prosecutes individuals who use the identities of others to carry out violations of federal criminal law.
If convicted of filing a return with willfully false information, such as an improperly claimed dependent, you can be sentenced to up to three years in prison, fined up to $250,000 and made to pay the costs of your prosecution.
Taxpayers can access their federal tax information through a secure login at IRS.gov/account. After logging in, the user can view: The amount they owe. Their payment history.
First things first, an IRS Letter 5071C is not an audit.
If you do not respond to a 5071c letter, the IRS says the consequences may include: The IRS may be unable to process your return. The IRS may not be able to issue you a tax refund.
If we successfully verify your identity, we'll process your tax return. It will take up to 9 weeks to receive your refund or credit any overpayment to your account.
1-877-777-4778.