What to Do If the IRS Needs to Verify Your Identity
If the IRS needs to contact you because they are concerned about identity theft (or you have filed a claim to steal your identity), here’s what you need to know and how you can do it.
If the IRS needs to verify your identity, they will send you Letter 5071C . Before you can take steps to verify your identity, you need to have the previous year’s tax return and current year’s tax return, Forms W-2, 1099, and Tables A and C handy, in two ways:
- Call the number in the upper corner of letter 5071C to speak with someone at the agency.
- Answer a series of questions at idverify.irs.gov . Questions will concern your contact information and information from last year’s tax return, such as your adjusted gross income.
While this all sounds a little scary, you must be careful not to fall prey to a scam. You will find out if the IRS will actually contact you because you will receive Formal Letter 5071C in the mail. The IRS will never contact you by phone or email.
How To Verify Your Identity If The IRS Suspects A Suspicious Tax Return | Consumer