The IRS says that it resolves tax identity theft cases in 120 to 180 days , depending on your circumstances. But in many instances, victims of complex tax identity theft have experienced resolution times of more than one year.
How long does it take to get your 2021 refund after identity verification?
What happens after I successfully verify? If we successfully verify your identity, we'll process your tax return. It will take up to 9 weeks to receive your refund or credit any overpayment to your account.
Can identity theft affect my tax refund?
If you're a victim of tax identity theft, the IRS may reject your legitimate tax return because it's flagged as a duplicate . Fortunately, you'll still be able to file taxes and receive your refund once you get the situation sorted with the government.
How are tax refunds stolen?
Stealing tax refunds doesn't require personal contact with victims. The thief obtains your name and Social Security number, then uses it to file an early tax return in your name, claiming a refund.
How long does it take after verifying identity with IRS?
After successful verification, it takes about 6 weeks to complete processing. The return will be rejected and investigated as identity theft/tax fraud if: Verification fails to confirm your identity or that you filed the return.
What should I do if I am a victim of tax identity theft?
Mail Form 14039 to this address: Internal Revenue Service, Stop C2003, Fresno, CA 93888. You may also need to file a police report and a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission on their website if you're a victim of tax return fraud.
Is tax identity theft common?
Tax identity theft has been the most common form of identity theft reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for the past five years.
What if my tax refund gets lost in the mail?
Call the IRS at 1 -800-829-1954 to initiate a refund trace. The Bureau of Fiscal Service may need to review your claim before they can re-issue your IRS refund check, which can take up to 6 weeks to complete.
How can I find out if someone is using my identity?
- Track what bills you owe and when they're due. If you stop getting a bill, that could be a sign that someone changed your billing address.
- Review your bills. ...
- Check your bank account statement. ...
- Get and review your credit reports.
What do I need to bring to the IRS to verify my identity?
- Your personal account number from a: ...
- A mobile phone associated with your name.
- Your 5071C letter, 5747C letter, 5447C letter, or 6331C letter.
- The income tax return (form 1040,1040-PR, 1040-NR, 1040-SR, etc.) ...
- You must also have your mailing address from your previous year's tax return.
Why is the IRS verifying my identity?
In response to the increasing tax-related identity theft problem, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is monitoring tax returns for signs of fraudulent activity. ... When the IRS suspects a return is fraudulent , the agency will request identity verification from the person whose name and address is listed on the return.
What does it mean when your identity Cannot be verified?
If your identity verification attempt was unsuccessful, it simply means that the information you provided did not match the authoritative sources we use for verification . Unsuccessful verification attempts may be due to many reasons: You may have recently moved. ... Your credit profile may contain erroneous information.
Do you get money back from identity theft?
In the event of the theft or unauthorized use of your credit card, federal law states that you're liable for a maximum of $50 in fraudulent charges. However, if you report the loss of your card before any fraudulent charges appear, you'll bear no financial responsibility whatsoever .
Does IRS investigate identity theft?
If the IRS discovers other tax years with identity theft-related issues, the IRS will resolve all the issues before closing out your case . ... For example, if someone is using your taxpayer identification number for employment, the IRS won't know it, unless the IRS selects your return for audit or an underreporter inquiry.
How can we avoid identity theft?
- Freeze your credit. ...
- Collect mail daily. ...
- Review credit card and bank statements regularly. ...
- Shred documents containing personal information before disposing of them. ...
- Create different passwords for your accounts. ...
- Review credit reports annually. ...
- Install antivirus software.
