An IRS Letter 5071C is triggered when the IRS suspects a tax return filed with your name and Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is fraudulent. It is part of the Taxpayer Protection Program aimed at preventing identity theft.
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).
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.
The return will be rejected and investigated as identity theft/tax fraud if: verification fails to confirm your identity or that you filed the return. if the verification process is not completed, or can't be completed.
Once we verify your identity and confirm you submitted the tax return, we'll continue processing your return. It may take up to 9 weeks to process.
Once their identity has been verified, they can securely access IRS online services. Taxpayers who need help verifying their identity or submitting a support ticket can visit the ID.me IRS Help Site.
Request an expedited refund by calling the IRS at 800-829-1040 (TTY/TDD 800-829-4059). Request a manual refund expedited to you.
Be ready to verify your identity when calling the IRS
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.
Taxpayers whose tax returns have been flagged for possible IDT should receive one of the following letters: Letter 5071C, Potential Identity Theft during Original Processing with Online Option – Provides online and phone options and is issued most widely.
The IRS sends out letters 5071C or 4883C that require taxpayers to verify identity before the IRS will continue processing a tax return. The letter details the process that the IRS requires to validate their identities. See Understanding Your 5071C Letter and Understanding Your 4883C Letter for more information.
The IRS issues several types of identity verification letters. Letter 4883C often involves a phone call or an in-person visit to confirm details. Letter 5071C, on the other hand, sometimes allows online verification through the IRS website if you meet certain requirements.
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 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.
Your refund
It may take up to 9 weeks to process your return after you verify it.
Does this mean there's a problem? Code 570 means “Additional Account Action Pending.” For most expats, this is a routine review that resolves automatically within 2-4 weeks without any action on your part. The IRS is simply verifying information before processing your refund. Code 570 doesn't mean you made an error.
Use Where's My Refund, call us at 800-829-1954 (toll-free) and use the automated system, or speak with a representative by calling 800-829-1040 (see telephone assistance for hours of operation). If you filed a married filing jointly return, you can't initiate a trace using the automated systems.
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.
The CP05 notice doesn't say this in plain language, so people often don't know what is going on. They just know that the IRS said it would be 60 days, but usually, it has been much longer with no answer from the IRS about what the problem is or why the IRS isn't giving the person their refund.
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.
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.