When responding to IRS Letter 4883C, the Internal Revenue Service asks for specific personal and tax-related information to verify your identity. This information is used only to confirm that the tax return was filed by the correct taxpayer and to prevent identity theft.
Personal Identification Information
During identity verification, the IRS typically asks questions based on personal details already in its records. This may include your full name, Social Security number, date of birth, and current address. The goal is to match your answers with information associated with prior filings.
Tax Return Information
The IRS may also ask questions related to your current or previous tax returns. These questions are designed to confirm that you are familiar with the return that was filed and may reference income sources, filing status, or other tax-related details.
Prior-Year Filing History
In some cases, identity verification includes questions about prior-year tax filings. This helps the IRS establish a consistent filing history and distinguish legitimate taxpayers from fraudulent filers.
What the IRS Will Not Ask For
The IRS does not ask for bank passwords, credit card numbers, or complete copies of tax returns during the identity verification process for Letter 4883C. Any request for such information outside the official verification process should be treated with caution.
Why This Information Is Required
The information requested allows the IRS to confirm identity without issuing refunds to unauthorized individuals. Until these questions are successfully answered, the IRS will not continue processing the tax return.
Related Guidance
This page explains what information the IRS asks for during identity verification. For instructions on how to complete verification, see the guide on how to verify your identity.
For deadlines and timing considerations, review the IRS Letter 4883C response deadline.
To return to the main overview of IRS Letter 4883C, visit the guidance hub.
IRS Letter 4883C: what it means and how to respond
For the official description of the notice and its role within the tax system, see the document overview.
IRS Letter 4883C. Potential Identity Theft During Original Processing