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Letter 5071C· Identity verification

Letter 5071C Identity verification (online)

Identity-verification request: a Form 1040-series return was filed under your SSN or ITIN, and the IRS needs identity verification before continuing to process it.
Category
Identity verify
Urgency
Date on notice
Response window
see notice
Key form

Respond by the date printed on your individual notice.

Why the IRS sent this

Filed return flagged by IRS identity-protection filters.

Response window

Notice received
Respond bydate on your notice

The IRS detail page for Letter 5071C does not state a fixed day count. The response-by date is printed on your individual notice — read the date at the top-right corner.

What to do

Required action

Verify identity at irs.gov/verifyreturn following the instructions on the letter, with the relevant tax return and supporting documents available.

Appeal path

Informal — call the IRS

Informal — verify identity online. File Form 14039 only if the IRS specifically directs you to.

Notes from the primary source

Refund processing is paused until identity verification clears. Detail page covers the CP5071 series (CP5071, CP5071C, CP5071F).

Go deeper

Educational pillars for this notice

Calm-corrective

Only the IRS can resolve your notice

We are not a CPA firm, not a law firm, not an Enrolled Agent firm, and not affiliated with the IRS. We don't accept payments on your behalf, settle your debt, or call the IRS for you. What we do: explain what your notice means, point you to the right IRS form, cite the statute that authorizes the action, and surface the appeal path. Then you call the number on the notice, file the form, or hire a licensed professional.

Source

Verified against the official IRS detail page on irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-cp5071-series-notice. Always re-verify against the IRS page before acting.