{"id":6737,"date":"2023-05-24T03:06:51","date_gmt":"2023-05-24T10:06:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.irs.com\/?p=6737"},"modified":"2025-04-07T18:14:33","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T01:14:33","slug":"irs-you-received-a-5071c-letter-now-what","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.irs.com\/en\/5071c-letter\/","title":{"rendered":"I Got a 5071C Letter, Now What?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"width: 640px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-6737-1\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.irs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Understanding_Your_5071C_Letter1.mp4?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Understanding_Your_5071C_Letter1.mp4\">https:\/\/www.irs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Understanding_Your_5071C_Letter1.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><i>When the IRS sends you a 5071C letter, that\u2019s a request for you to verify your identity. You\u2019re probably getting one because their fraud detection system flagged your return as a potential case of identity theft. So, what do you have to do now?<\/i><\/p>\n<h2><b>What&#8217;s the Purpose of the 5071C Letter?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>IRS Letter 5071C serves a crucial purpose in protecting taxpayers from potential tax fraud. In short, the IRS received a tax return with your name and tax identification number, but they believe the return may be fraudulent. The 5071C letter is their notice to you. This letter is a warning sign and shouldn\u2019t be taken lightly.<\/p>\n<p>The purpose of this letter is to notify the recipient that the IRS is concerned about potential tax fraud and to eliminate any further fraudulent tax returns. To do this, the letter will ask the recipient to <a href=\"https:\/\/sa.www4.irs.gov\/secureaccess\/ui\/?TYPE=33554433&#038;REALMOID=06-0006b18e-628e-1187-a229-7c2b0ad00000&#038;GUID=&#038;SMAUTHREASON=0&#038;METHOD=GET&#038;SMAGENTNAME=-SM-u0ktItgVFneUJDzkQ7tjvLYXyclDooCJJ7%2bjXGjg3YC5id2x9riHE98hoVgd1BBv&#038;TARGET=-SM-https%3a%2f%2fsa%2ewww4%2eirs%2egov%2fola%2fid--verify%2f\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">complete an online identity verification process<\/a> at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.irs.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.irs.gov<\/a> to confirm their identity (the counterpart for businesses is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.com\/en\/irs-what-business-owners-and-employers-should-do-when-the-irs-gives-them-a-147c-letter\/\">the 147c letter<\/a>). The verification process is relatively simple and can be completed online. Nonetheless, it is crucial you take adequate precautions to verify your identity to help protect against fraud.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-10245 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.irs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/5071c-letter-from-irs.webp\" alt=\"5071c letter from irs\" width=\"763\" height=\"779\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.irs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/5071c-letter-from-irs.webp 763w, https:\/\/www.irs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/5071c-letter-from-irs-294x300.webp 294w, https:\/\/www.irs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/5071c-letter-from-irs-12x12.webp 12w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 763px) 100vw, 763px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>As a recipient of IRS Letter 5071C, it is crucial to take the necessary steps to verify your identity and confirm whether or not you may be a victim of identity theft. If you are a victim of identity theft, it\u2019s crucial you take quick action to prevent any further harm. Therefore, never ignore this notification, as it is the first step in stopping potential tax fraud.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Who Receives this Letter?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>The IRS Letter 5071C is typically sent to taxpayers whose tax returns have raised suspicions of identity theft. The Internal Revenue Service has systems in place to detect potentially fraudulent activities on returns that have already been submitted.<\/p>\n<p>If any such activity is detected, the IRS sends out Letter 5071C to request identity verification. This is done to make sure that the return filed belongs to the correct person and to avoid any potential tax fraud.<\/p>\n<p>It is important to note that anyone who files their income tax return, regardless of whether it is done electronically or by mail, could potentially receive this letter. The purpose of the letter is to verify the taxpayer identification and ensure that there is no potential identity theft or fraudulent activity.<\/p>\n<p>If your return is found to be in question, you may receive an IRS identity verification letter requesting further information to validate your identity.<\/p>\n<h2>Receiving a 5071C Letter<\/h2>\n<p>If you have received an IRS Letter 5071C, you may be wondering what you need to do about it. It is important to follow these steps accurately and promptly to avoid any further complications.<\/p>\n<p>If you fail to respond to the IRS 5071C letter, the consequences can be severe. The IRS may place a freeze on your account or withhold any tax refunds owed until your identity can be confirmed. In extreme cases, you may also be subject to investigations and potential legal proceedings.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, it is imperative to respond to the letter and cooperate with the IRS during the verification process truthfully. Remember, honesty and transparency are crucial throughout the verification process.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-12074 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.irs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-element5-15503341-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"5071c letter\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.irs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-element5-15503341-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.irs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-element5-15503341-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.irs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-element5-15503341-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.irs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-element5-15503341-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.irs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-element5-15503341-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.irs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-element5-15503341-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.irs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-element5-15503341-640x426.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>How to Respond to the IRS 5071C Letter in 2024<\/h2>\n<p>The process of responding to an IRS 5071C letter can be overwhelming, but understanding the steps involved can help ease any anxiety. Luckily, the IRS has made it easy to complete the process online. Here are the three steps you should take upon receiving an IRS 5071c letter:<\/p>\n<p>1. Review the letter carefully: Read through the letter thoroughly and ensure that the tax return in question is indeed yours. If you did not file a return or suspect identity theft, you should contact the IRS immediately using the toll-free number provided in the letter. Specifically, you will need the <strong>14 digit control number<\/strong> on the letter.<\/p>\n<p>2. Locate the tax return(s) in question. You will need the following three pieces of information regarding the tax return::<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.com\/en\/how-to-find-agi\/\"><strong>Adjusted Gross Income<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Total Refund Amount<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Your Elected Refund Payment Method (Direct Deposit, Check or Prepaid Card)<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>3. Visit IRS.Gov\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/identity-theft-fraud-scams\/identity-and-tax-return-verification-service\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Identity and Tax Return Verification Service<\/a>, find and select the <em><strong>Verify your identity and tax return button<\/strong><\/em>. You will be prompted to enter the above information in order to complete your verification.<\/p>\n<h2>WATCH: IRS Two Step Identity Verification Process<\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"IRS TWO STEP IDENTITY VERIFICATION PROCESS 2023\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0CKyDnIZF04\" width=\"820\" height=\"640\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>In summary, receiving an IRS 5071C letter is an indication that the IRS suspects identity theft in relation to your tax return. Responding promptly and following the steps outlined in the letter is critical.<\/p>\n<p>Failing to respond and cooperate with the IRS can have severe consequences. Adhering to these basic steps can help expedite the verification process and reduce any potential complications.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read more<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.com\/en\/how-to-find-your-agi-to-e-file-a-tax-return\/\">Where to find Adjusted Gross Income on Tax Return<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>What to Do When You Receive a 5071C Letter: FAQ<\/h2>\n<p><b>1. What should I do immediately after receiving a 5071C letter?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b>As soon as you receive the letter, carefully read the instructions provided. Visit the IRS Identity Verification Service website mentioned in the letter or call the designated toll-free number. Have your previous year\u2019s tax return, current tax return, and any supporting documents ready to verify your identity.<\/p>\n<p><b>2. What documents do I need to verify my identity?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b>You&#8217;ll typically need a copy of the tax return in question, your previous year\u2019s tax return, and personal identification such as a driver&#8217;s license, passport, or Social Security card. The letter will specify exactly what documents are required.<\/p>\n<p><b>3. How long does the verification process take?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b>After you verify your identity, it usually takes around 9 weeks for the IRS to process your tax return and issue any refund. However, processing times may vary depending on the IRS workload and any additional issues that might arise.<\/p>\n<p><b>4. Can I ignore the 5071C letter if I think it\u2019s a mistake?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b>No, you should never ignore a 5071C letter, even if you believe it&#8217;s a mistake. Failing to respond can result in delays, or your tax return being rejected. It&#8217;s better to verify your identity promptly to avoid complications with your refund.<\/p>\n<p><b>5. Is it safe to provide personal information to the IRS?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b>Yes, as long as you&#8217;re using the official IRS Identity Verification Service website or calling the IRS directly using the number provided in the letter. Never provide personal information via email, text, or phone calls that you didn\u2019t initiate, as these could be scams.<\/p>\n<p><b>6. What if I suspect the 5071C letter is a scam?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b>If you suspect the letter might be a scam, visit the official IRS website to find verification resources or call the IRS directly using a number from the IRS website (not the one in the letter) to confirm its legitimacy. Always be cautious of unsolicited requests for personal information, especially those that come via email or phone.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-12075 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.irs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-ekaterinabelinskaya-4744772-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"5071c letter\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.irs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-ekaterinabelinskaya-4744772-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.irs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-ekaterinabelinskaya-4744772-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.irs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-ekaterinabelinskaya-4744772-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.irs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-ekaterinabelinskaya-4744772-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.irs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-ekaterinabelinskaya-4744772-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.irs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-ekaterinabelinskaya-4744772-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.irs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-ekaterinabelinskaya-4744772-640x426.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Sources<\/h2>\n<p>&#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=0CKyDnIZF04\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">IRS TWO STEP IDENTITY VERIFICATION PROCESS 2023<\/a>&#8221; by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@simplisticmotivation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Simplistic Motivation<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When the IRS sends you a 5071C letter, that\u2019s a request for you to verify your identity. You\u2019re probably getting one because their fraud detection system flagged your return as a potential case of identity theft. So, what do you have to do now? What&#8217;s the Purpose of the 5071C Letter? IRS Letter 5071C serves [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":6738,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6737","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tax-forms","category-tools-forms"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irs.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6737","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irs.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irs.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irs.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irs.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6737"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.irs.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6737\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12529,"href":"https:\/\/www.irs.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6737\/revisions\/12529"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irs.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6738"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irs.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6737"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irs.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6737"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irs.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6737"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}