IRS LETTER 5071C

[Lee B]

Has anyone had one of your clients receive IRS Letter 5071C to asking them to verify their identity before their return is processed.

I efiled my client's 1040 on April 11th and it was accepted on the same day.

Thanks, in advance,

[Margaret CPA in OH]

Yes, but the client moved to a nursing facility so I suspect the change of address is the issue.  There was no withheld tax, no refund and nothing due.  I'm checking to confirm but had to get 2848.

[Lee B]

In my client's situation there is no change of address or anything else?

[jklcpa]

It may be because a scammer attempted to use the taxpayer's SSN to file a fraudulent return to claim a refund.

[Lee B]

What I have found out:

1.  My clients tax return has been held in"processing" status since April 11th.

2. My client received their state refund via direct deposit on April 17th.

2.  No help available over the phone, your only option is to use the "idverify" page at irs.gov.

Took an IRS Webinar today on third party authorizations, currently it's taking on average at least 15 business days in order to get a 2848 processed.

[Catherine]

I had a client get one of these just this week; his return was e-filed and accepted on May 2nd.  IRS wanted him to confirm his identity on the IRS web site.  Name, ssn, address, filing status, refund amount.  

He did have a new address, but everything else (including bank info) was the same.  I talked him through the IRS confirmation process, and we'll see what happens.  

[WITAXLADY]

I had for a 2016 amend!

so now in this case it had to be mailed back.. just their signatures - how long before they match that up?  I assumed it was a stall technique.