Skip to content
SuperMoney logo
SuperMoney logo

How to Respond to IRS Letter 4883C

Last updated 03/20/2024 by

Jessica Walrack
Did you take all the necessary steps to file your tax return but have now received an IRS Letter 4883C? Are you wondering what the problem is and how you can fix it? Don’t panic. The IRS notice 4883C simply aims to verify your identity to prevent identity theft. Here’s what you need to do.

End Your IRS Tax Problems

Get a free consultation from a leading tax expert.
Get Tax Help Now
It's quick, easy and won’t cost you anything.

How to respond to IRS Letter 4883C

IRS Letter 4883c
As with any IRS notice, you need to read the IRS Letter 4883C promptly and in full.
Before responding, be sure to have the following documents on hand:
  • IRS Letter 4883C.
  • The tax return for the year listed on the notice.
  • A tax return from a prior year.
  • Supporting documents for both years of returns.
Once you have all of the above documentation ready, call the toll-free Identity Verification telephone number on the letter. Note, the purpose of the call is to verify your identity. The representatives won’t be able to discuss other tax information.
Once the IRS verifies your identity and confirms that you submitted the return, it will take about nine weeks to process your return.
If you can’t verify your identity over the phone, you may need to visit an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center in person. If this is the case, bring government-issued photo identification and the documents listed above.

Does IRS Letter 4883C mean the IRS is examining or auditing my tax return?

No, Letter 4883C does not mean that your tax return will be audited or examined. It has nothing to do with the contents of your return. Instead, it is solely meant to verify your identity and to confirm you filed the return. It is a measure to prevent someone else from filing your return fraudulently.
Learn more about IRS notices and letters in this definitive guide.

How does tax identity theft work?

Tax identity theft occurs someone uses your Social Security number to file a fraudulent tax return. If the IRS suspects someone filed a fraudulent return in your name, you will receive notice 4883C. You will then verify your identity and the can verify if you filed the return or not. If you did not, it will be removed from the records of the IRS.
If a fraudulent return is filed in your name, you may be asked to file a paper return for the affected tax year.

Should I be worried that someone is trying to steal my identity?

The IRS has become more careful about protecting the identity of taxpayers. Receiving the 4883C Letter does not mean that your identity has been compromised. However, something on your report was flagged as suspicious.

What is the Identity Protection PIN Program?

This program provides certain tax-related identity-theft victims with a six-digit PIN each year. The taxpayers in the program must enter the PIN when filing their tax returns. This adds an extra layer of identity protection.

Need tax assistance?

Handling taxes and letters from the IRS can be stressful. However, taxpayers do have the right to authorized representation. If you would like support from a tax expert with tax debt, IRS letters, or other issues, review and compare top tax relief firms below.

SuperMoney may receive compensation from some or all of the companies featured, and the order of results are influenced by advertising bids, with exception for mortgage and home lending related products. Learn more

Loading results ...

Jessica Walrack

Jessica Walrack is a personal finance writer at SuperMoney, The Simple Dollar, Interest.com, Commonbond, Bankrate, NextAdvisor, Guardian, Personalloans.org and many others. She specializes in taking personal finance topics like loans, credit cards, and budgeting, and making them accessible and fun.

Share this post:

You might also like