Letter 5747C

Published: December 20, 2023 | Last Updated: December 20, 2023

Letter 5747C,

Potential Identity Theft during Original Processing – TAC AUTH ONLY

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Notice Overview

Letter 5747C, Potential Identity Theft During Original Processing – TAC AUTH ONLY, is mailed to a taxpayer to notify them that the IRS received an income tax return using their name and Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number.

This letter may include additional topics that have not yet been covered here. Please check back frequently for updates.

What does this mean to me?

To protect you from identity theft, we need to verify your identity and your tax return so we can continue processing it. If you didn’t file a tax return, let us know. You may need to visit a Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC), so we can verify your identity and your tax return.

How did I get here?

The IRS received an income tax return using your name and Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number.

What are my next steps?

The first thing to do is to check the return address on the letter to be sure it’s from the IRS and not another agency.

If you did NOT file a tax return:

Call the Taxpayer Protection Program hotline phone number on your letter to tell us you didn’t file a tax return. You don’t need to visit aTAC if you didn’t file the tax return, but you must contact the IRS to confirm that you may be a victim of tax-related ID theft.

If you did file

You can make an in-person appointment by calling toll free 1-844-545-5640.

Note: Authorized third parties may assist taxpayers, but we must have a completed Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative, on file for the representative. Otherwise, you must also be present at the appointment. If you‘’re acting as a fiduciary for an individual, a descendant‘’s estate, or a trust, complete and send us Form 56, Notice Concerning Fiduciary Relationship. For more information about Form 56, visit About Form 56.

Bring the following to your appointment:

IRS 5747C letter
The Form 1040-series tax return referenced in the letter complete with all supporting documents you filed such as Forms W-2 and 1099, Schedules C or F, etc.
If additional verification is required, a prior year federal tax return (if you filed one), other than the year in the letter, complete with all supporting documents you filed such as Forms W-2 and 1099, Schedules C or F, etc.

Bring the following identity verification documents to your appointment:

A valid federal or state government-issued picture identification, such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport.

At least ONE of the following forms of identification:

Current federal or state government-issued identification that is different from the first document provided
U.S. Social Security card;
Mortgage statement with current address
Lease agreement for a house or apartment with current address
Car title
Voter registration card (not the voter registration application)
Utility bill matching address on ID
Birth certificate (the IRS no longer accepts Puerto Rican birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010)
Current school records

Once you have successfully verified your identity, the IRS will continue processing your tax return. It may take up to 9 weeks for you to receive your refund plus any applicable interest, or apply the overpayment to next year’s estimated tax. You can visit Where’s My Refund? on irs.gov or on the IRS2Go mobile app after two – three weeks from verifying your identity. However, if there are other issues, you may receive a notice asking for more information and this may delay your refund.

I need more information

Publication 5027,

Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers

Download

Publication 4524,

Security Awareness for Taxpayers

Download

Publication 1,

Your Rights As a Taxpayer

Download

Where can I get additional help?

Understanding your notice or letter

For more specifics on your notice, visit Understanding your IRS Notice or Letter on IRS.gov

Get Help topics

Browse common tax issues and situations at TAS Get Help

If you still need help

The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers and protects taxpayers’ rights. We can offer you help if your tax problem is causing a financial difficulty, you’ve tried and been unable to resolve your issue with the IRS, or you believe an IRS system, process, or procedure just isn’t working as it should. If you qualify for our assistance, which is always free, we will do everything possible to help you.

Visit www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov or call 1-877-777-4778.

Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) are independent from the IRS and TAS. LITCs represent individuals whose income is below a certain level and who need to resolve tax problems with the IRS. LITCs can represent taxpayers in audits, appeals, and tax collection disputes before the IRS and in court. In addition, LITCs can provide information about taxpayer rights and responsibilities in different languages for individuals who speak English as a second language. Services are offered for free or a small fee. For more information or to find an LITC near you, see the LITC page on the TAS website or Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List.

Did you know there is a Taxpayer Bill of Rights?

The taxpayer Bill of Rights is grouped into 10 easy to understand categories outlining the taxpayer rights and protections embedded in the tax code.

It is also what guides the advocacy work we do for taxpayers.

Where am I in the tax system?

Letter 5747C, Potential Identity Theft during Original Processing

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