Why did I get a letter from the IRS to verify my identity?

Asked by: Chanelle Rutherford  |  Last update: February 9, 2022
Score: 4.6/5 (9 votes)

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.

Why did the IRS send me a letter to verify my identity?

If the IRS suspects that a tax return with your name on it is potentially the result of identity theft, the agency will send you a special letter, called a 5071C Letter. This letter is to notify you that the agency received a tax return with your name and Social Security number and it believes it may not be yours.

How long does it take to get refund after I verified my identity?

How long after I verify my Identity with the IRS will I get my Tax Refund? The IRS Website says If you did file the return, please know it will take approximately 6-9 weeks to process your return once you verify your identity. Based on what we see and hear from people every year.

Why is the IRS sending me a letter 2021?

As you prepare to file your 2021 taxes, you'll want to watch for two letters from the IRS to make sure you get the money you deserve. This year, the IRS is mailing two letters – Letter 6419 and Letter 6475 – to qualifying Americans. The first applies to the Child Tax Credit Payments.

Is the IRS sending out stimulus checks?

Starting in late January, the IRS is sending out letters to recipients of the third Economic Impact Payment, aka the COVID-19 stimulus check that went out last year. ... The first payment was a maximum of $1,200; most people got it in April 2020. The second was $600; most people got it in December 2020.

What you need to verify your identity

18 related questions found

Does IRS send letter after stimulus check?

You may receive a letter from the IRS about stimulus checks — here's what it means. ... Labeled Letter 6475, “Your Third Economic Impact Payment,” the correspondence will include how much you received in stimulus money in 2021, including any so-called plus-up payments.

Does the IRS ask you to verify your identity?

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.

How long does it take IRS to review your refund?

We issue most refunds in less than 21 calendar days. It is taking the IRS more than 21 days to issue refunds for some 2020 tax returns that require review including incorrect Recovery Rebate Credit amounts, or that used 2019 income to figure the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC).

Why do I have to wait 10 weeks for my refund?

When it comes to why your refund may be delayed, the IRS states it may be delayed because it has a mistake including errors concerning the Recovery Rebate Credit, is missing information, or there is suspected identity theft or fraud.

What do I do if the IRS can't verify my identity?

If you can't verify your identity online, you can call the telephone number on the letter you received from the IRS telling you that you may be eligible to receive advance Child Tax Credit payments (Letter 6416 PDF).

What happens after you verify your identity with the IRS?

After we successfully verify your identity, we'll process your tax return. It may take up to 9 weeks to receive your refund or credit any overpayment to your account. If we find other problems, we'll contact you again. This will delay your refund more.

What does it mean when your identity Cannot be verified?

If your identity verification attempt was unsuccessful, it simply means that the information you provided did not match the authoritative sources we use for verification. Unsuccessful verification attempts may be due to many reasons: ... Your credit profile may contain erroneous information.

Why is my 2020 tax refund taking so long?

What's Taking So Long? If you don't receive your refund in 21 days, your tax return might need further review. This may happen if your return was incomplete or incorrect. ... You may also experience delays if you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit.

Why does my refund say still being processed?

If your tax return status is "Still Being Processed" your tax return could be essentially on hold until the IRS corrects any issues and/or gets the additional information from you to continue processing your return.

Why is my tax refund still being processed after 21 days?

The IRS will issue most refunds in less than 21 calendar days. This could mean that all of the necessary forms were not sent to the IRS for processing. ... Your return has been flagged for identity theft or fraud.

Why is the IRS reviewing my refund?

The IRS could verify your information and determine that you owe more in taxes. ... In that case, the IRS would look at every aspect of your return to determine whether you've reported your income properly and paid the appropriate amount of tax.

Why is my refund being reviewed?

The review means that your return is pending because IRS is verifying information on your tax return. They may contact you before processing your return. Please see the link below since you are relying on your refund. The Taxpayer Advocate Service may be able to help once you have tried getting your refund.

Why IRS hold my refund?

There are many reasons why the IRS may be holding your refund. You have unfiled or missing tax returns for prior tax years. The check was held or returned due to a problem with the name or address. ... Your refund was applied to a debt you owe to the IRS or another federal or state agency.

What does a letter from the IRS mean?

Every year the IRS mails letters or notices to taxpayers for many different reasons. Typically, it's about a specific issue with a taxpayer's federal tax return or tax account. A notice may tell them about changes to their account or ask for more information. It could also tell them they need to make a payment.

How do I find out how much stimulus money I got in 2021?

To find the amounts of your Economic Impact Payments, check: Your Online Account: Securely access your individual IRS account online to view the total of your first, second and third Economic Impact Payment amounts under the “Economic Impact Payment Information” section on the Tax Records page.

How much was the stimulus check in 2021?

In 2021, California launched two-state stimulus programs: the Golden State Stimulus I and Golden State Stimulus II. These stimulus checks are worth up to $1,200 and $1,100, respectively.

Can I sue the IRS for holding my refund?

Generally, if you fully paid the tax and the IRS denies your tax refund claim, or if the IRS takes no action on the claim within six months, then you may file a refund suit. You can file a suit in a United States District Court or the United States Court of Federal Claims.

Is the IRS still backlogged?

"Paper is the IRS's Kryptonite, and the agency is still buried in it." As of late December, the IRS had backlogs of 6 million unprocessed original individual returns (Forms 1040), 2.3 million unprocessed amended individual returns (Forms 1040-X), more than 2 million unprocessed employer's quarterly tax returns (Forms ...

Why is my tax return still processing after 5 months?

REASONS TAX RETURN MAY TAKE LONGER TO PROCESS:

Is affected by identity theft or fraud. Includes a claim filed for an Earned Income Tax Credit or an Additional Child Tax Credit using 2019 income. Includes a Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation, which could take up to 14 weeks to process. Needs further review in general.

Why can't my identity be verified on my credit?

There can be various reasons that your identity cannot be verified: Experian cannot match your personal information (name, social security number, current address) to any records because either the information provided is wrong, or there is no file match. ... Your credit file is frozen with Experian.