IRS Letter 5747C: In-Person Verification

If you filed the return: arrange the appointment

The IRS 5747C page says to call the Taxpayer Assistance Center appointment number shown on your letter. Keep the letter’s instructions and the appointment details together, and follow any additional directions given by the IRS.

This visit concerns verifying identity and the return so processing can continue. It should not be treated as an instruction to submit another original return or change accurate tax entries.

If you did not file the return

The IRS gives a different first step: call the Taxpayer Protection Program hotline on your letter and say you did not file the return. Do not confirm an unfamiliar filing as yours. See someone filed taxes in my name for the separate questions about your legitimate return.

What should I bring?

The IRS document list includes your 5747C letter, the referenced Form 1040-series return, and supporting W-2s, 1099s and schedules. If additional verification is required, it also calls for an available return from a different prior year.

For identification, bring a valid federal or state government photo ID, plus at least one additional acceptable item. Examples on the IRS list include a Social Security card, a different government ID, a current-address mortgage statement or lease, and a utility bill matching the ID address. See the full in-person checklist for the complete list and qualifications.

A W-2 or 1099 does not replace the tax return. Check your software or ask the preparer for a copy of what was filed. If something is missing, use the IRS contact instructions for your appointment rather than assuming a substitute will be accepted.

Can my representative attend instead of me?

The 5747C instructions say a representative may represent you, but you must be present at the appointment to authenticate your identity. They refer to Form 2848 for representation and Form 56 for fiduciary circumstances. Arrange assistance within those instructions; a preparer cannot simply take your place at this appointment.

Can I use online verification for 5747C?

Follow your actual letter and the dedicated 5747C instructions, which direct filers to an appointment. Some IRS material, including its accessibility guide, lists 5747C among letters associated with the online tool. That difference is not a reason to disregard an in-person requirement on your correspondence.

If the IRS gives you a different route for your case, follow that instruction. The online verification guide explains the notices currently identified by the main service page; it is not a blanket alternative for every letter.

Do I need Form 14039 for this letter?

The IRS says not to file Form 14039 for Letter 5747C and to follow its instructions instead. The existing Form 14039 decision guide remains the place to review separate qualifying situations. A verification request is not an automatic affidavit requirement.

What happens after the appointment?

After the IRS verifies identity and confirms you submitted the return, it can continue processing. Its 5747C guidance says processing may take up to nine weeks. This is not a guaranteed completion or refund date. Record the outcome and any further request, then use the post-verification guide.