Notice Type
A 5071C letter means the IRS needs to verify your identity before it will continue processing a tax return filed under your name. Like similar identity verification letters, it doesn't mean there's a balance due — the return is simply paused until your identity is confirmed, often through the IRS's online identity verification service or by phone, and this type of notice often fits within our standard $45 notice review as a starting point, since it usually begins with understanding what the letter is asking for and confirming the details match your situation.
Before You Respond
A 5071C means the IRS has paused processing your return until your identity is confirmed, so responding by the method and timeframe described in the letter is what allows your return, and any refund, to move forward. Check your actual letter for the verification options and any date mentioned — that's what determines your next step, not a general rule of thumb. If the letter goes unanswered, the IRS will not continue processing the return, which can delay any refund indefinitely. Verifying as directed, once you've confirmed the letter is legitimate, keeps your return moving.
Know Before You Act
Before verifying, it helps to understand two things: whether this letter is legitimate and actually from the IRS, and whether the return it references is one you actually filed. The IRS sends 5071C letters as a precaution, and most of the time the taxpayer did file the return in question. But there can also be cases where the return wasn't filed by the taxpayer, which points to something different than a simple mix-up. Knowing which of these applies to your situation is what determines the right next step.
Start with a secure notice upload and a free IRS notice summary. If you want organized next steps, optional $45 Review & Guidance is a one-time purchase with no subscription. It may include an Action Plan, records to gather, response options, and case questions. When the information and supporting documents provided support a written IRS response, you can use the action steps provided to prepare it yourself or unlock the option for Think Twice Tax to draft a personalized response letter for you.