Notice CP5071: Help! Am I the Victim of Tax Identity Theft?

Notice CP5071 means that the IRS suspects identity theft on your tax account. If you have recently filed a tax return, you should contact the IRS to verify your identity, following the instructions in the notice. If you have not filed a tax return, you should contact the IRS as soon as possible because someone has filed a return with your information, and you may be the victim of identity theft. 

This guide explains how to verify your identity after receiving CP5071. It also outlines what to do if you are the victim of identity theft and how to protect yourself moving forward. Note that this notice has a few variations--you may receive a letter with the following labels: CP5071, CP5071C, or CP5071F.

How to Respond to Notice CP5071

You can respond to this notice online or over the phone. In both cases, you will need to note whether or not you filed a return. If you filed, you will also need to answer a few questions about the tax return so that the IRS can complete processing. If you didn't file, you will note that when you call or access the online service. 

Instructions for Responding to CP5017 Online

Go to the IRS's Identity and Tax Return Verification Service. If you like, you can review the instructions on that page or just scroll to the middle of the page and select Sign In to Verify Your Identity and Tax Return. 

If you have an ID.me account, you will use those details to sign in. Otherwise, you can set up an online IRS account. To complete the process, you will need a photo ID, a smartphone with a camera, and an email address. Here are instructions on how to create an IRS online account.

Once you're in your IRS account, you should see a question about whether or not you filed a tax return. If you did file, you will also need to verify some details about your return—make sure you have a copy of your return and supporting documents before you sign in online. If you didn't file, you will note that in the online portal as well. 

Who can use the IRS's ID and tax return verification service?

Only taxpayers over the age of 17 who have received 5071C, 5447C, or 5747C notices about possible identity theft on their tax accounts can use this service. 

If you received a 4883C letter about ID theft, you cannot use this service. If you're worried about identity theft but did not receive a notice, you also cannot use this service. Instead, you should contact the IRS and file Form 14039. If you are under 18 and have received a notice about tax identity theft, contact the IRS using the details on the notice.

What if I can't access my online account?

If you cannot access your account and/or cannot set one up, you can call the IRS on the phone. 

What information do you need to verify your identity?

To complete the verification process, you will need your and your spouse's Social Security Number, city and state of birth, and birthdate. You will also need the following:

• Address from last tax return.
• Form number of last return.
• Control number. 
• Tax owed or refunded on last return
• If applicable, how the refund was received (direct deposit, check, or applied to next year)
• Bank name, routing, and account number
• Mother and father's name, city and state of birth, and date of birth
• Mother's maiden name
• W-2 wages and withheld tax reported on the last return

How to Respond to CP5071 on the Phone

If you prefer to call the IRS, contact the Taxpayer Protection Program hotline at 800-830-5084. If there is a different phone number on your notice, use that instead. When calling, make sure that you have your tax return (if you filed one). You may also need your prior year's tax return to help verify your identity. If possible, have the supporting documents you used to file the return, such as your W2, 1099, Schedule C, etc.

What if I can't verify my identity online or over the phone?

Then, you can make an appointment to meet with an IRS rep in person. There are IRS offices in all 50 states, but there may not be one in your local area.

How to Have a Tax Pro Respond to Notice CP5071

You can also authorize a tax professional to contact the IRS about this issue on your behalf. To authorize a tax pro, you will need to file Form 2848—you just need to sign the form; the pro will file it for you. Otherwise, you can call the IRS with a tax pro and give the IRS verbal authorization to speak with them.

What to Expect After You Verify Your Identity 

If you verify your identity and note that you filed the return, the IRS will continue to process the return. As long as there are no additional mistakes or issues, the IRS will release your tax refund if applicable. The exact timing varies, but typically, it takes around nine weeks for the IRS to process a refund after ID verification. 

What to Expect If You Report Identity Theft

However, if you report that the return was not filed by you, the IRS will remove the return from your records and give you additional instructions on what to do. You may need to file a paper return. The IRS will mark your account with an identity theft indicator, and they will also put you in the ID Protection PIN Program. 

Through that program, you will get a six-digit PIN every year, and when you file your return, you will enter that number as an additional layer of protection. 

What If I Don't Respond

If you don't respond and you did file a tax return, the IRS will not process your return. You will not get a tax refund if applicable, until you verify your identity. 

If you ignore this notice and you were the victim of identity theft, your tax account may continue to be vulnerable.

Other IRS Identity Fraud Letters

The IRS may also send the following notices if they believe you have been a victim of identity theft. With all of these notices, you must contact the IRS and let them know if you filed the return or if it was filed fraudulently. However, the contact method you should use varies based on the letter.

• Letter 4883C - Call the IRS to verify your identity.
• Letter 5747C - Make an in-person appointment with the IRS to verify your identity.
• Letter 5447C - Use the IRS website or call to verify your identity. This notice is for taxpayers who are out of the country. 

What If You Were Affected by ID Theft But Didn't Receive a Notice?

If you believe that someone has stolen your identity but you have not received a notice from the IRS, you should file Form 14039 (Identity theft Affidavit). This form allows you to alert the IRS about the situation. You should not file this form if you received notice CP5071.

What If You Received an Erroneous Refund?

When someone steals your identity and files a return, their goal is to steal the refund, but if they make a mistake and the refund goes to you, you are supposed to return it to the IRS. To learn how to return the money, check out the guide on how to deal with erroneous refunds due to identity theft.

Additional Steps for Victims of Identity Theft

Keep in mind that if someone has your Social Security Number, they may be able to open credit cards, take over your bank account, or compromise your finances in other ways. 

In addition to contacting the IRS, you may want to do the following to protect your identity. 

• Go to Identitytheft.gov for government recommendations on what to do.
• Check with your state revenue department to see if a state tax return has been filed with your stolen information, and follow their instructions to rectify the situation. 
• Contact any businesses that were affected by the identity theft - For example, if someone made fraudulent charges to your credit card account, contact your card issuer.
• Consider freezing your credit so the thief cannot open any accounts in your name. You can call the credit bureaus at the following numbers:
  • Equifax: 1-800-685-1111
  • Experian: 1-888-397-3742
  • TransUnion: 1-888-909-8872

FAQs About Letter 5071C

Why did I receive letter 5071C?

The IRS sends this letter if the agency has received a tax return filed under your tax ID number, but the agency believes that identity theft may be involved. 

Letter 5071C is titled "Potential Identity Theft During Original Processing with Online Option" which simply means the IRS noticed signs of identity theft when processing your return. You should contact the IRS to let them know if you filed the return they received or if someone stole your identity and filed that return. 

Does letter 5071C mean that someone stole my identity?

Not necessarily, but maybe. If you receive this notice and you recently filed a tax return, your identity was likely not stolen. If you haven't filed a return lately, you are most likely the victim of identity theft.

What is the QR code on notice 5071?

Newer versions of many IRS notices feature a QR code. When you scan the code, it will take you to the IRS's website where you can get more information on identity theft and how to verify your identity.

Get Help With Tax ID Theft

If you are the victim of tax identity theft, you should reach out for help today. A tax professional can help you contact the IRS and put this issue behind you. If you recently filed, a tax pro can also help you respond to this notice and make sure the IRS received your return.