irs.gov/verifyreturn | Identity and Tax Return Verification Service IRS

irs.gov/verifyreturn | Identity and Tax Return Verification Service IRS

IRS’s Identity and Tax Return Verification Service at irs.gov/verifyreturn is a security measure the IRS uses to protect taxpayers from identity theft and fraud.  You may receive a notice or letter asking you to verify your identity and tax return information with the IRS. 

Here’s what you need to know:

Why the IRS might ask you to verify your identity:

• Suspicious activity: The IRS may have flagged your tax return for potential identity theft. This could be due to various reasons, such as inconsistencies in your return or information matching someone else’s.

• Protecting your refund: This verification process helps prevent identity thieves from receiving your tax refund.

• Accessing online services: You may need to verify your identity to access certain IRS online tools and applications, like:

  • Child Tax Credit Update Portal
  • Online Account
  • Get Transcript Online
  • Get an Identity Protection PIN
  • Online Payment Agreement 

How the verification process works:

1. Notice or letter: The IRS will send you a notice or letter (like a 5071C, 6331C, 5747C, or 5447C letter) if they need you to verify your identity. This notice will include instructions and a unique website address.

2. Online verification: You’ll need to go to the provided website and verify your identity using ID.me, a trusted technology provider. This involves:

    • Providing a photo of a valid government-issued ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport).
    • Taking a selfie with a smartphone or computer with a webcam.

3. Answering questions: After verifying your identity with ID.me, you’ll need to answer IRS questions about your tax return.

Important points:

  • Only use the official website: Only use the website address provided in the IRS notice or letter. Be cautious of phishing scams.
  • Keep your information safe: Protect your personal and tax information. Don’t share it with anyone you don’t trust.
  • If you didn’t receive a notice: If you haven’t received a notice or letter from the IRS, you don’t need to use this service.

If you need help:

  • ID.me Help Site: Visit the ID.me IRS Help site for assistance with the verification process.
  • IRS website: Check the IRS website for FAQs and more information about identity theft and fraud prevention.