IRS – Taxpayers Receiving Identity Verification Letters

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.

Before proceeding, the taxpayer should have available a copy of:

• the 5071C or 4883C letter received,

• their complete prior year tax return (if filed),

• their complete current year tax return (if filed).

Then, the taxpayer should call the IRS using the toll-free Identity Verification telephone number: (800) 830-5084. If the taxpayer did not file the return in question, they should still call the toll-free number to inform the IRS.