If this specific letter lands in your mailbox, do not throw it away thinking it is junk mail. I have seen too many people ignore this, only to find their refund frozen indefinitely. I just helped a family member with this yesterday—their WMR status suddenly changed from “Still Processing” to a vague message telling them to call, and then this letter arrived.
If you receive Letter 5071C or 5747C, the IRS has stopped processing your return until you prove you are who you say you are.
📊 OFFICIAL & PROJECTED TIMELINE:
| Date Window | Status / Action | What It Means |
| Immediate | Receive Letter | Your refund is officially FROZEN. |
| Action Day | Verify Identity | You must complete the ID check (Online/Phone/In-Person). |
| + 2-3 Weeks | Processing Resumes | Best case scenario for processing to restart. |
| + up to 9 Weeks | Refund Issued | The official IRS timeline for delivery after verification. |
⚡ Why You Got This (It’s Protection)
The IRS filters flagged your return for potential identity theft. This is common if you moved, changed banks, or had a major income shift. They aren’t auditing you; they are protecting you from someone else stealing your refund. But you have to act fast to unfreeze the money.
The Critical Difference:
I checked the specifics on these two common letters. You need to know which one you have:
- Letter 5071C: This is the easier one. You can usually verify online using the idverify.irs.gov link provided in the letter, or over the phone.
- Letter 5747C: This is harder. You generally must appear in person at a Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) with physical documents.
📄 How to Verify (Troubleshooting Steps)
If you have the 5071C, grab the letter and your prior year’s tax return (e.g., 2024 return if filing for 2025).
- Go to the specific URL listed in the letter (usually idverify.irs.gov).
- You will need the 14-digit Control Number located at the top of your letter.
- You must answer security questions based on your credit history and previous tax filings.
- I checked my own experience: When I did this in the past, if you fail the online questions twice, the system locks you out and forces you to call the special phone number on the letter.
Warning: Do not use generic IRS phone numbers. Only use the number printed on the 5071C/5747C letter.
Disclaimer: Dates are projected based on typical IRS processing times after successful verification. Eligibility varies by return complexity.
Evan Cole Editor-in-Chief | Breaking News & Public Policy
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