If you’ve received a letter from the IRS or California’s Franchise Tax Board (FTB, for short), don’t panic—but don’t ignore it either. Two of the most common notices we see—IRS CP5071 and FTB 3912—are all about protecting your tax account. These notices are designed to protect you from tax fraud, and responding promptly can keep your refund on track and your records secure. Let’s break down what they mean and what to do next.
IRS Notice CP5071: Identity Verification Required
Why you received it: The IRS sends CP5071 (or its variants CP5071C or CP5071F) when a federal tax return has been filed using your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and they need to verify that you actually filed it. This is often triggered by potential identity theft, but the IRS also conducts random checks to ensure the security of the tax-filing system.
What to do:
- If you filed the return: You must verify your identity so the IRS can continue processing it.
- If you didn’t file the return: Contact the IRS immediately—someone may be using your identity fraudulently.
How to respond:
- Visit the IRS Identity Verification Service at idverify.irs.gov and follow the instructions.
- Alternatively, call the number listed on your notice. Be prepared with:
- The tax return in question
- A prior year’s return (if available)
- Your current mailing address
Why it matters: Failure to respond can delay your refund or prevent the IRS from processing your return altogether.
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FTB Notice 3912: Confirming Your Authorized Representative
Why you received it: FTB 3912 is a new letter issued by the California Franchise Tax Board to confirm whether a tax professional or other representative listed on your account is still authorized to act on your behalf. This notice is part of FTB’s effort to maintain accurate records and prevent unauthorized access to taxpayer information.
What to do:
- Review the representative(s) listed in the notice.
- If the authorization is still valid, no action is required.
- If the representative is no longer active or authorized, follow the instructions in the notice to revoke or update the authorization.
How to respond:
- Log in to your online MyFTB account to view, edit, or revoke your POA Declaration(s).
- Call the FTB at 1-800-852-5711 and reference the associated Declaration ID number.
- Send the FTB a completed FTB 3520 RVK, Power of Attorney Declaration Revocation.
Why it matters: Keeping your authorized representative list current helps protect your tax data and ensures that only authorized individuals can communicate with the FTB on your behalf.
