In a press release, the IRS reminded taxpayers who receive requests from the IRS to verify their identities that the Identity Verification Service website at idverify.irs.gov offers the fastest, easiest way to complete the task. Taxpayers may receive a letter when the IRS stops suspicious tax returns that have indicators of being identity theft but contains a real taxpayer's name and/or SSN. Only those taxpayers receiving Letter 5071C should access idverify.irs.gov.

The website will ask a series of questions that only the real taxpayer can answer. Once the identity is verified, the taxpayers can confirm whether or not they filed the return in question. If they did not file the return, the IRS can take steps at that time to assist them. If they did file the return, it will take approximately six weeks to process it and issue a refund.

Letter 5071C is mailed through the USPS to the address on the return. It asks taxpayers to verify their identities in order for the IRS to complete processing of the returns if the taxpayer did file it or reject the returns if the taxpayers did not file it. The IRS does not request such information via e-mail, nor will the IRS call a taxpayer directly to ask this information without you receiving a letter first. The letter number can be found in the upper corner of the page.

The letter gives taxpayers two options to contact the IRS and confirm whether or not they filed the tax return. Taxpayers may use the idverify.irs.gov site or call a toll-free number on the letter. Because of the high volume on the toll-free numbers, the IRS-sponsored website, idverify.irs.gov, is the safest, fastest option for taxpayers with web access.