Ask Maxi · IRS letters
I got Letter 5071C from the IRS. What does it mean?
Letter 5071C means a tax return was filed under your Social Security number or ITIN, and the IRS needs you to confirm your identity and whether you filed it before it will process the return.
This is a fraud-prevention step, not an audit. Until you verify, the return stays on hold, along with any refund.
How to answer:
- Use the online option on the letter, if it lists one, or call the number on the letter. Only use the contact information printed on the letter itself.
- Have the letter, the return for the year in question, a prior-year return if you have one, and the W-2s, 1099s and schedules that go with them.
- If you did file the return, say so and walk through it. If you did not, tell the IRS. You may be a victim of identity theft.
After you verify, processing resumes, though it can still take several weeks for a refund to arrive.
Worth doing next: get an Identity Protection PIN. It is a six-digit number that has to be on any return filed under your Social Security number, which blocks someone else from filing in your name.
Be careful with look-alikes. Scam letters copy this format. If anything about it feels off, send it to us before you call anyone.
Send us a photo of the first page of the notice. We will tell you what it means for you and what to do next.
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