For an IRS identity verification appointment, bring the 6167C or 6483C letter, a valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport), and a second form of identification (e.g., Social Security card, birth certificate, utility bill). You must also bring the tax return referenced in the letter and a prior-year return.
Bring the following identity verification documents to your appointment:
Prepare for your appointment
What do I need to verify my identity?
Identity and Address Documents
Primary document: Driver's license, passport, or other government-issued photo. Secondary document: Social Security card, utility bill, or vehicle registration.
Aadhaar Card, issued by Unique Identification Authority of India. Voter ID Card issued by the Election Commission of India. Indian Passport, issued by Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India. PAN Card, issued by the Income Tax Department.
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.
The IRS scrutinizes tax returns to look for signs of fraudulent activity. One of the most common tax scams is another individual using your name and Social Security number to file a fraudulent tax return. If you were a potential victim of tax fraud, you may receive an ID verification letter.
Your Social Security card is not an identification document and, in many situations, you only need to know your Social Security number (you do not need to show the physical card). Do You Need to Show Your Social Security Card? You do not need your Social Security card, you only need to know your Social Security number.
Bring a form of identification and your Social Security card to prove the Social Security information is yours. Bring W-2s from each employer and any corrected W-2cs. Provide 1099s and other forms for other types of income. Bring 1098s, 1098-Cs, 1098-Es, 1098-Ts, 1040ES copies, and other forms for tax deductions.
First things first, taxpayers will need to call 844-545-5640 to schedule an appointment. All TACs provide service by appointment. The Contact Your Local Office tool on IRS.gov helps taxpayers find the closest IRS TAC, the days and hours of operation, and a list of services the TAC provides.
Your refund
It may take up to 9 weeks to process your return after you verify it.
Documents that prove identity only
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).
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.
Before starting the verification process, make sure to have these documents ready:
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. The IRS mostly audits tax returns of those earning more than $200,000 and corporations with more than $10 million in assets.
Be ready to verify your identity when calling the IRS
When the IRS is questioning whether a return is legitimate, it will send taxpayers a letter asking them to authenticate their identity, and it will not process their return and issue their refund until the taxpayer responds to the letter and completes the authentication process.
To verify their identity with ID.me, taxpayers need to provide a photo of an identity document such as a driver's license, state ID or passport. They'll also need to take a selfie with a smartphone or a computer with a webcam. Once their identity has been verified, they can securely access IRS online services.
In-branch ID verification
Commonly accepted proofs of address include utility bills, bank statements, lease agreements, insurance policies, and official letters from recognized authorities.