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What If I received a Letter for Identity and tax return verification?

What If I Received a Letter for Identity and Tax Return Verification?

If you received a letter from the IRS stating “Verification of your identity and tax return is required”, it means the IRS needs to confirm that:

  • You actually filed the tax return, and
  • Your identity has not been compromised.

This is a fraud-prevention measure. It is not an audit and not a penalty.

Why Did This Happen?

The IRS may flag a return for verification if:

  • There are changes from prior years (address, bank account, income, etc.)
  • The refund amount is unusually high
  • It is your first time filing
  • The system detects potential identity theft risk
  • You were selected through routine security screening

In recent years, identity verification notices have become more common due to refund fraud concerns.

What Should I Do?

Follow the instructions in the letter carefully.

Typically, you will need to:

  1. Visit the IRS identity verification website listed in the letter
  2. Log in or create an IRS Online Account
  3. Enter the control number from the letter
  4. Answer verification questions

You must complete the process before the IRS will release your refund.

What Happens After I Verify?

  • If verification is successful, the IRS will resume processing your return.
  • Refund processing may take several weeks.
  • You can monitor status using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool.

What If I Did NOT File the Return?

If the letter references a return you did not file, this may indicate identity theft.
Follow the instructions in the letter to report that you did not file the return so the IRS can begin identity protection procedures.

Is This Serious?

It is important to respond promptly, but it is not a criminal issue and not an audit.
It is simply an identity confirmation process.

中文版本

如果收到“身份和报税验证”通知怎么办？

如果您收到 IRS 来信，内容显示需要 身份和报税验证（Identity and Tax Return Verification），这表示 IRS 需要确认：

这份报税表是否由您本人提交

您的身份是否真实在完成验证前，IRS 会暂停处理您的退税。

⚠ 这不是审计
⚠ 这不是罚款
⚠ 这不是欠税通知

这是 IRS 的防止身份盗用和退税诈骗的安全措施。

为什么会收到这种信？

常见原因包括：

  • 与往年报税信息有较大变化（地址、银行账户、收入等）
  • 退税金额明显高于往年
  • 首次报税或多年未报税
  • 系统检测到潜在身份盗用风险
  • 被系统抽中进行安全筛查

近年来 IRS 加强了身份验证流程，因此这类通知越来越常见。

收到后需要做什么？

请按照信上的指示完成身份验证。

一般步骤包括：

  1. 访问信中提供的 IRS 身份验证网站
  2. 登录或注册 IRS Online Account
  3. 输入信上的 Control Number
  4. 回答身份验证问题

完成验证后，IRS 才会继续处理您的退税。

如果确实是您报的税

按照要求完成验证即可。
验证成功后，IRS 通常会在几周内恢复处理退税。

如果不是您报的税

如果信中提到的报税并非您本人提交，可能涉及身份盗用。
请按照信上的指示选择 “I DIDN’T file” 并启动身份保护流程。

是否严重？

需要及时处理，但并不严重。
这只是身份确认流程，并不代表违法或被审计。