Letter 5071C is an identity check. A federal income tax return was filed using your Social Security number (SSN) or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), and the IRS's fraud filters flagged it. Before the IRS processes that return or sends a refund, it wants you to confirm two things: that you are who you say you are, and that you actually filed the return. It is not an audit and it does not mean you did anything wrong. It does mean your return is frozen until you respond, so deal with it soon.
Why you got a Letter 5071C
The IRS screens returns for signs of tax-related identity theft, which is when someone uses your SSN or ITIN to file a fake return and collect a refund. When a return looks unusual, the IRS holds it and mails a letter from the CP5071 series. That series includes Notice CP5071, Letter 5071C and Notice CP5071F.
You may get one of these letters in either situation:
- You filed a return. Something about it triggered a review. The IRS does not publish its screening criteria, and many people who get this letter filed honest returns. Verifying lets the IRS continue processing.
- You did not file a return. Someone may have filed one using your information. In that case the letter is often the first sign that your identity was misused.
What the Letter 5071C says
Read the letter slowly and look for these parts:
- Tax year. The letter names the year of the return the IRS is holding. Make sure you pull the return for that exact year.
- Ways to verify. The letter tells you which verification options are open to you. If online verification is offered, the IRS points you to irs.gov/verifyreturn. The letter also has a phone number.
- Your name and the last digits of your number. Check that they match your records.
- A note about the phone line. The IRS says the contact information on these notices is only for identity and return verification. You generally cannot get refund status or other account help through it.
The IRS's public page on this letter does not list a fixed reply deadline. Treat it as urgent anyway, because nothing moves on your return until you answer.
What to do
- Confirm the letter is real. Use the phone number or web address from irs.gov, not from an email or text. See the section on verifying the notice below.
- Gather your documents. If you filed, have the letter, the tax return for the year shown (from your tax software or preparer if you do not have a copy), a prior-year return if you have one, and the supporting forms for each return, such as W-2s, 1099s, Schedule C or Schedule F.
- Go to the Identity and Tax Return Verification Service. If your letter offers online verification, start at irs.gov/verifyreturn. You will sign in to an IRS account (or create one) and answer questions about yourself and the return. The IRS notes you may need to sign in again after creating an account to finish.
- Answer the return questions carefully. You will be asked about figures on the return. Have it open in front of you.
- If you did not file, say so in the same service or by calling the number on the letter. The IRS treats that as a report of possible identity theft on that return.
- Keep a record. Write down the date you verified, any confirmation shown on screen, and the name of anyone you speak to by phone.
If you cannot verify online. Follow the instructions on your letter, which give a phone number. If the IRS cannot verify you by phone, it may ask you to come to a Taxpayer Assistance Center in person. Those routes are explained on our Letter 4883C and Letter 5747C pages.
If you are under 18. The IRS verification service page tells minors to contact the IRS rather than use the online tool.
If someone helps you. A tax professional can help, but they generally need a signed authorization. See our guide to working with a tax professional or power of attorney.
Do not file Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, after you verify through this process unless the IRS specifically tells you to. The IRS says the verification itself takes care of it. Sending the form anyway can slow things down.
An optional identity verification response kit is available on this site if you want checklists and a call log, but everything you need to respond is described on this page.
After you verify
The IRS says to wait 2 to 3 weeks after you use the verification service before checking your refund, and that it can take up to 9 weeks to process your return after you verify it. If the IRS finds other problems with the return, it may contact you again. You can watch your status with Where's My Refund or your IRS Online Account.
To protect future returns, you can request an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN), a six-digit number that stops anyone else from filing with your SSN or ITIN. Anyone with an SSN or ITIN who can verify their identity can get one. See our CP01A page for how the IP PIN works.
What happens if you ignore it
If you do not respond, the IRS will not process the return. That means no refund and no credit of any overpayment to your account. If the return was fraudulent and you never tell the IRS, the problem may surface later in more complicated ways, such as a missing refund when you do file. Ignoring the letter only delays things.
If identity theft is confirmed, read our full guide to tax identity theft for recovery steps, including IdentityTheft.gov and protecting your credit.
Is this notice real?
Scammers copy identity letters because they want your personal data. Protect yourself:
- The IRS normally makes first contact by U.S. mail, not by email, text or social media message.
- Type irs.gov/verifyreturn into your browser yourself. Do not click links in emails or texts that claim to be from the IRS.
- If you are unsure, compare the letter number with the IRS notice pages on irs.gov, or call the IRS using a number you find on irs.gov.
- The IRS never asks for payment by gift card, and it will not ask for your IP PIN.
Our IRS scams guide lists more warning signs.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to respond to Letter 5071C?
The IRS's page on the CP5071 series does not state a fixed deadline. Your return and any refund stay on hold until you verify, so respond as soon as you can.
Can I check my refund status on the number in the letter?
Usually not. The IRS says the contact information on these letters is for identity and return verification only. Use Where's My Refund or your Online Account for refund status.
I filed jointly. Who needs to verify?
Follow the letter. It is addressed to a specific person. If you are unsure whether your spouse also needs to verify, call the number on the letter and ask.
I did not file a return. What happens next?
Tell the IRS through the verification service or phone line. The IRS will treat the return as possible identity theft. Then follow the steps in our tax identity theft guide and consider getting an IP PIN. You still need to file your own return if you are required to.
What if I get stuck or the IRS doesn't respond?
If you have tried the normal routes and your refund is still stuck, the Taxpayer Advocate Service, an independent office inside the IRS, may be able to help, especially if the delay is causing financial hardship.
Sources
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS), "Understanding your CP5071 series notice". irs.gov
- IRS, "Verify your return" (Identity and Tax Return Verification Service). irs.gov
- IRS, "Identity theft guide for individuals". irs.gov
- IRS, "Get an identity protection PIN". irs.gov
- IRS, "How to know it's the IRS". irs.gov
IRSV.com is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the IRS. This page is general information, not tax or legal advice. Rules change; confirm details on IRS.gov or with a tax professional. Found an error? Tell us.