Yes, you can verify your identity with the IRS over the phone, particularly if you received a 5071C or 4883C letter requesting it. Call the toll-free number listed on the letter, and be prepared to provide personal information, including your SSN, date of birth, and tax returns from the current and prior years.
Self–Service: The fastest method to verify; usually takes 5-10 minutes. For step-by-step instructions, visit Verifying your identity with ID.me Self-Service. Video call: You will upload your document, then join a quick video call.
When you call the IRS, they will ask you to verify your identity. IRS phone assistors take great care to only discuss personal information with you or someone you authorize to speak on your behalf.
Verifying via phone
Verifying identity over the phone requires “something you know” methods. Ask standard questions like name, address, and phone number, but also ask something that only the individual would know.
If you can't verify online
Call us at the phone number on your notice. The number is for identity and tax return verification only. Other tax information, such as refund status, is not available.
Then, the taxpayer should call the IRS using the toll-free Identity Verification telephone number: (800) 830-5084. If the taxpayer did not file the return in question, they should still call the toll-free number to inform the IRS.
Expired or Unacceptable Identification Documents
Expired Documents: An expired passport or driver's license is, for verification purposes, no longer a valid form of identification. Always use current, unexpired documents.
Your refund
It may take up to 9 weeks to process your return after you verify it.
A: To verify your identity with ID.me, you'll need to provide a photo of an identity document such as a driver's license, state ID or passport. You'll also need to take a selfie or choose to video chat with a live ID.me agent.
You can verify your identity online through the IRS Identity Verification Service website or by phone using the number provided in the 5071C Letter. To verify your identity, you'll need both your previous and current year's tax returns, along with all supporting forms and schedules.
Call to schedule your appointment ahead of time. Bring these items with you: A current government-issued photo ID. Two original forms of ID, including a current government-issued photo ID and, if filed, a copy of the tax return for the year in question.
Visit the IRS contact page to get help using online tools and resources. Or: For individual tax returns, call 1-800-829-1040, 7 AM - 7 PM Monday through Friday local time. The wait time to speak with a representative may be long.
Bring the following identity verification documents to your appointment: A valid federal or state government-issued picture identification, such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport.
Document verification, biometrics, and data-based verification are the three most effective and widely used methods for confirming a person's identity across digital platforms.
Your ID, Now on your Phone
With a mobile driver's license (mDL) or Digital ID stored in your phone's digital wallet or in a third party app, you can breeze through more than 250 TSA checkpoints faster and more securely than ever before. Travelers should always carry a physical and acceptable form of ID.
The IRS $600 rule refers to a change in reporting requirements for third-party payment apps (like Venmo, PayPal) for taxable income from goods and services, where platforms must send a Form 1099-K if you receive over $600 in a year, intended to capture gig economy/side hustle income, though delays and phased implementation have adjusted the timeline, with current rules for 2024 using a higher threshold ($5,000) before fully phasing to $600 for future years, but remember all taxable income, regardless of form, must always be reported.
The IRS asks you to verify your identity primarily to stop fraud, often because someone filed a tax return using your Social Security Number (SSN) without your permission, or due to data discrepancies, a new address, or a previous data breach involving your info. Verification ensures you are the legitimate taxpayer before they process your return, issue refunds, or grant access to your online account, protecting you from identity theft.
The IRS uses a combination of automated and human processes to select which tax returns to audit. Not reporting all of your income is an easy-to-avoid red flag that can lead to an audit. Taking excessive business tax deductions and mixing business and personal expenses can lead to an audit.
How do I verify my identity? Take photos of your ID online. Use an accepted ID type. In some cases, you'll be asked to take a selfie to confirm that you are the owner of your ID.
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