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To check whether someone may have filed a federal tax return using your Social Security number, sign in to your IRS online account and review your tax records and transcripts for a return you did not file or authorize. An IRS identity-verification notice or an e-file rejection saying your SSN was already used can also signal a filing conflict. Neither alone establishes who filed the return; follow the IRS process for the notice or situation that applies to you.
Check your IRS account and transcripts
Sign in to your IRS online account and review the tax records and transcripts available for the relevant year. A transcript shows information the IRS processed; compare it with the return you signed or otherwise authorized. Look for a return or information that does not match your filing records.
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A discrepancy is a reason to investigate, not by itself proof of identity theft. If you need a transcript of a suspected fraudulent return, the IRS has a separate request process described below.
Notice an IRS letter or e-file rejection?
IRS identity-verification notice
The IRS may send a letter saying it identified a suspicious return associated with your SSN. If you receive a CP5071-series notice or Letter 5447C, keep the letter and use the return-verification service only as directed for that notice. Verify your identity and indicate that you did not file the return if that is the case. The IRS says that after completing this verification, you do not need to submit Form 14039 unless the IRS asks you to.
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Use the contact details and instructions on your notice rather than responding through an unverified message or phone number. See the IRS guidance on identity theft for individuals.
E-file rejection because the SSN was already used
A rejection saying a return has already been filed with your SSN or ITIN means there is a filing conflict to resolve; it does not, on its own, explain why the conflict happened. Follow the IRS identity-theft steps. If you cannot e-file, the IRS says to file a paper return and complete Form 14039 as directed. Do not send multiple Form 14039 affidavits for the same incident, because duplicates can delay handling.
No notice or rejection, but something looks wrong
If your account records show a return you did not authorize, follow the IRS identity-theft reporting instructions or contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490. If you have an IRS notice, use its contact information. Procedures and phone availability can change, so check the current IRS instructions when you act.
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Report suspected tax identity theft
Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, is one way an actual or potential victim can ask the IRS to mark the account for possible tax-related identity theft. Follow the form’s current instructions for whether and how to submit it. If you received a CP5071-series notice or Letter 5447C and completed the specified verification process, do not also send the form unless the IRS tells you to.
For a filing conflict that prevents e-filing, use the paper-return and Form 14039 instructions above. For other circumstances, use the process that matches your IRS notice or the IRS identity-theft guidance rather than sending duplicate paperwork.
Request a transcript of the suspected fraudulent return
If you need to see what was filed, the IRS lets a victim or an authorized person request a masked transcript of a fraudulent return accepted using the victim’s name and SSN. Request it through your IRS online account or by following the instructions for Form 4506-F. This process provides a masked transcript, not necessarily an unredacted copy.
A person listed only as a dependent cannot obtain the return information through this process. The victim must be listed as the primary or secondary taxpayer.
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An IRS Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) is a unique six-digit number used to help verify a taxpayer filing a federal return and prevent misuse of an SSN or ITIN. Eligible taxpayers can request one after identity verification. The IRS issues a new number each year, so if you opt in, retrieve the new PIN annually and provide it when filing.
Check current eligibility and enrollment instructions on the IRS Get an identity protection PIN page.
Consider state tax-agency steps too
This process concerns federal returns and the IRS. The IRS recommends checking with your state tax agency for any additional steps if you suspect tax-related identity theft involving a state return.
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