IRS Letter 4883C begins, "We received your Form 1040 federal individual income tax return for the tax year mentioned above but we need more information to process the return accurately."
The IRS sends Letter 4883C when they have received your return but they need more information to process it. The "information" they seek is for you to verify your identity by personally appearing in their office. They use Letter 5071C to ask you to go online or call to verify your identity. They state in Letter 5747C that they will not process your return until you "visit a local IRS office to authenticate your identity".
IRS Identity Verification
With the surge of Identity Theft & Fraud, the IRS has been very vigilant in ensuring that the correct taxpayers get the correct refunds in the correct bank accounts. To this end, there has been an significant increase in the Letters 4883C the IRS has sent out. They might even ask you to come in to their offices to verify your identity personally. You may eventually have to file a claim for Identity Theft.
But, the IRS page dedicated to Letter 4883 and Letter 6330C advises you not to complete an Identity Theft Affidavit just yet but to follow the IRS letter exactly and CALL or GO IN to their office, whichever the letter indicates.
Respond to Letter 4883C
The problem with these letters is the IRS doesn't often tell you what they want. And, the most irritating aspect is that usually you can't hire someone to call the IRS for you. They'll want to speak with you directly, not even a power of attorney. But, perhaps the most irritating is that when you call the number, it either hangs up on you or has a message telling you they are too busy and you'll have to call back later!
You are NOT in any trouble with the IRS - they just want to verify your identity & ensure your returns (& refunds) are processed correctly. This should actually help you.
So, you'll have to call them (& call them, & call them) to ask what it is they seek. But, before calling you should get your Wage & Income Transcripts so you can compare them with your records and return. Then, you might have some insight before you call to verify your identity.
When you call them have your last year's return available along with your driver's license, social security card and passport, if one. It would be helpful if you could use a fax machine simultaneously while you are talking with them on the phone to send information. If not, you'll have to get the information sought by the IRS & either send it to the address they give you or that's on the Letter 4883C or go into their office as you are instructed.
You can't avoid talking with the IRS, either over the phone or, if they demand, in person. They won't process any of your returns unless you comply. Plus, they could send an agent out to visit you (although that's fairly rare).
You may not need a lawyer except to prepare the forms necessary to respond to the IRS. But, the lawyer can't contact the IRS for you. So, carefully write down the IRS advice & directions so you can quickly comply. They may initiate or ask you to file an Identity Theft claim. (See also, ID Theft Blog Post)
Follow Up
If you disagree with the IRS, need some assistance, or are confused by this letter please follow the Prep Steps & contact Mr. Hopkins so we can work on a solution!
