When the IRS needs to verify your identity—usually due to a suspected fraudulent return—they will mail a letter (such as 5071C or 4883C) requesting confirmation of your identity and tax return information. You must use the IRS Verify website or call the number provided to verify. Failure to respond will pause your refund processing, which can take up to 9 weeks after verification.
Be ready to verify your identity when calling the IRS
Remember, the IRS does not initiate verification requests by email or phone. Only respond to verification requests if you have received a 5071C Letter.
You know the IRS might be investigating you through official mail (first contact), phone calls (often with automated messages to IRS.gov), or in-person visits, but signs of a criminal probe include contact with IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) agents, subpoenas to you or your bank, questions to your accountant/bank, unusual account activity (freezing/refusing transactions), or agents suddenly going silent after an audit. Key indicators are official IRS letters, contact from CI special agents, third-party inquiries, and formal summonses for records, signaling serious scrutiny beyond a simple audit.
One-time forgiveness, officially known as First-Time Penalty Abatement (FTA), is an IRS program that allows qualified taxpayers to have certain penalties removed from their tax accounts.
We sent you a CP5071 series notice because we need you to verify your identity and the return: If you didn't file a return: Verify with us. You may be the victim of identity theft. If you did file a return: Verify so we can continue processing your return.
The identity verification process from the IRS can be triggered on a random basis, or it could be due to suspicion that a tax return with your name on it is potentially the result of identity theft.
Overview. 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).
It's about protecting you from scammers who may try to set up an account in your name to access your information and benefits. After you verify your identity, you won't have to do it again for that account unless you lose access to your account's multifactor authentication method or need to recreate your account.
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.
Request an expedited refund by calling the IRS at 800-829-1040 (TTY/TDD 800-829-4059). Request a manual refund expedited to you.
Your refund
It may take up to 9 weeks to process your return after you verify it.
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.
Code 570 is temporary, not a denial. Most people receive their full refund without needing to contact the IRS. Once the review is complete, your refund will be released, unless the IRS identifies an error that requires adjustment.
And annoyingly, there's no way of finding out the reason for the delay until the IRS is ready to tell you. However, there is also no need to worry. Oftentimes the delay is simply resolved and your refund is processed as expected – albeit later than you'd hoped.
The IRS may send these identify fraud letters to taxpayers:
Letter 5071C, Potential Identity Theft with Online Option: This tells the taxpayer to use an online tool to verify their identity and tax return information. If the taxpayer didn't file, they can let the IRS know with the online tool.
Delays can range from 2 to 6 weeks, or longer in more complex cases. If Code 971 is followed by Code 846 (Refund Issued): Good news—your refund has been approved. You can typically expect it within 2 to 5 business days via direct deposit, or up to 3 weeks if receiving a paper check.
The IRS 7-year rule primarily applies to keeping records for claiming a deduction for bad debts or losses from worthless securities, allowing a longer period to file for a credit or refund, but it's not a universal audit limit; it's often a recommended safe buffer for general record-keeping, with the standard IRS audit period usually being 3 years, extending to 6 years for substantial income omission (over 25%) or foreign income issues, and indefinitely for fraud.
To be eligible, you must meet a few specific requirements. One is that you must be current with all your tax filing requirements. This means you can't have any unfiled tax returns. The IRS won't even consider tax forgiveness if you haven't filed all required returns for previous years.