When a Digital Verification Won’t Work — You Must Go in Person

For taxpayers who get stuck in the ID.me cycle — repeated online failures, rejected documents, mismatched records — the IRS eventually requires in-person identity verification at a Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC).

This method bypasses:

• ID.me
• online authentication
• phone-based identity checks

When you show up physically with original identification documents, the IRS can verify you on the spot and clear the refund hold.

When Face-to-Face Verification Is Required

The IRS will instruct you to come in person if:

• you received Letter 5071C or 5747C and could not verify online
• ID.me rejected your verification
• your identity could not be matched with credit-bureau data
• your SSN was flagged for suspicious returns
• your authentication confidence score was insufficient
• your return triggered fraud-prevention criteria

If you receive a 5747C letter — that is almost always a requirement for physical verification.

How to Book the Appointment

Do NOT just walk in — you must schedule.

Step-by-step:

1. Call 844-545-5640
2. Select the option for identity verification
3. Request an appointment at the nearest TAC
4. Confirm location, time, and required documentation
5. Write down the confirmation number

Appointments are typically scheduled within 5–14 days.

Documents You MUST Bring to the Appointment

The IRS requires original documents — not photocopies.

Required Primary ID (one of these):

• state driver’s license
• state ID card
• U.S. passport
• military ID

Required Secondary Documentation (one of these):

• Social Security card
• birth certificate
• W-2 or paycheck stub
• bank statement
• rental or lease agreement
• utility bill in your name

If a dependent is involved, bring their documentation too.

What Happens at the Verification Meeting

1. You present identification
2. IRS agent reviews your documents
3. They cross-verify your SSN and date of birth
4. They compare signatures
5. They lock identity to your IRS profile
6. They release the refund hold

Typical time: 10–20 minutes

This is significantly faster than:

• mailing documents
• waiting for ID.me manual review
• phone-based authentication

How Fast Does Your Refund Move After the Visit?

Here is the typical sequence:

You verify in person →
within 3–5 days: TC 571 or TC 572 posts (hold released) →
within 5–10 days: TC 846 posts (Refund Issued)

Most taxpayers receive their refund within 7–14 days after an in-person verification.

What NOT to Do

• Do not bring photocopies
• Do not show up without an appointment
• Do not bring expired IDs unless approved
• Do not assume your ID.me failure is a dead end
• Do not delay responding to the verification notice

Time matters — the longer you wait, the longer your refund is frozen.

Real-World Example

Two taxpayers get identity verification letters:

Taxpayer A:
Tries ID.me repeatedly → fails → waits for mailed instructions → waits 8 weeks → schedules in-person verification → refund released in April
Total delay: 12–14 weeks

Taxpayer B:
Calls TAC immediately → schedules in-person verification → completes session → refund released within 10 days
Total delay: 2–3 weeks

• If ID.me fails → call and schedule in-person immediately
• Be ready with original documents
• Don’t wait for the IRS to chase you
• The fastest path is human verification

This method turns months of waiting into days.

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