Got IRS Letter 5071C? How to Verify Your Identity and Release Your Refund (Safely)
You received IRS Letter 5071C (or 5747C/CP5071) asking you to verify your identity before the IRS will finish processing your tax return — so your refund is on hold until you do.
Why this matters (and where scams hit): the notice is real, but scammers mimic it. The single most important rule: the IRS asks you to verify only through its official service or the phone number printed on your letter — never through a link in an email or text. And you must verify within the window stated, or the return won’t process.
Step 1: Confirm it’s genuine
- A real 5071C arrives by mail, references your tax return, and directs you to irs.gov/verifyreturn (the Identity and Tax Return Verification Service) or the number on the letter.
- The IRS does not initiate identity verification by email, text, or social media. If you got a “5071C” that way, it’s a scam — don’t click.
Step 2: Verify online (fastest)
- Go directly to irs.gov → Identity and Tax Return Verification Service (type the address yourself; don’t follow an emailed link).
- Sign in / create an ID.me account, then answer the verification prompts.
- Have ready: the 5071C letter, the tax return it refers to, a prior-year return, and a photo ID.
Step 3: Or verify by phone
Call the toll-free number on your 5071C letter (not a number from a search result). Have the same documents on hand. Phone waits can be long, so online is usually faster.
Step 4: After verifying
Once verified, processing resumes — refunds typically issue within a few weeks if there are no other issues. You can track it with Where’s My Refund.
FAQ
Is my refund lost if I ignore it? Your return won’t process until you verify, and there’s a deadline on the letter. Don’t ignore it.
Do I need an ID.me account? The online service uses identity verification (ID.me). If you can’t complete it online, use the phone option on the letter.