Letter 6331C
The IRS has been receiving a lot of questions about identity verification letters many people have received, and IRS Letter 6331C is one of them.
The IRS has been receiving increasing reports of identity theft and fraud related to tax returns. In order to combat these issues, the IRS has started sending out letters like IRS Letter 5071C or IRS Letter 6331C to taxpayers that have filed their taxes to verify their identities. This is a form of protection to prevent fraudulent activities and help in resolving the issue quickly. This letter will ask you to use the IRS’s online tool to verify your identity. It will also state that your return won’t be processed until you have verified your identity. You can either use the online tool or call the toll-free IRS Identity Verification telephone number in your letter. It is recommended to call in the morning or half an hour before the IRS’s closing time.
It is important to note that the IRS will not contact you via email, text, or social media. If you receive a message asking you to provide personal or financial information, it is most likely a scam, and you should report it to the IRS. Remember, you should only receive this type of letter from the IRS if they have received your federal income tax return (Form 1040-series) and are waiting to process it. The IRS will verify the taxpayer’s identity and the tax return to prevent fraud or duplicate tax returns being filed under the same Social Security number. They will also use the verification to test and improve internal controls. There is currently a pilot to redesign this letter for a QR code and updated format, but this doesn’t change the process or timeframe for verifying identity and tax return.
How to Verify Identity Online with Letter 6331C?
You can verify your identity online on the IRS’s secure Identity Verification Service website, idverify. You will need your 6331C letter, your current year income tax return, or the prior year income tax return listed in the 6331C letter, and supporting documents you normally file with your returns (such as Form W-2 or Form 1099). You can also call the toll-free IRS Identity Verification telephone number (800-830-5084) that is provided in the 6331C letter. You should call the phone number in the morning or half an hour before it closes, as the line tends to be busy at this time of day. The IRS will work with you to resolve the issue. It’s important to follow the instructions in the 6331C letter, as failure to do so could result in the IRS not processing your return. Once your identity has been verified, the IRS can process your return and credit any refund or overpayment to your account. In some cases, this may take up to 9 weeks.