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Everyone always asks how to contact the IRS, but can the IRS contact you?
Wondering what’s taking your federal tax return and refund so long? If you’re moving during tax season, a new change of address policy from the U.S. Postal Service might be why.
Now, you have to verify your identity in person or online with the USPS if you send a change of address mail forwarding request. Otherwise, the change of address won’t activate and you could be waiting months for a tax refund that won’t arrive.
A TikTock user named @gbrodgers posted a video about the new verification step — and it went viral with many users claiming they hadn’t heard of the change. As of Nov. 2, the USPS newsroom does not feature any national releases about the new identification verification step.
Verifying your identity online costs a $1.10 fee to use a one-time passcode on USPS.com. You can also verify your identity at a post office with a driver’s license and the change of address form. You’d have to follow that same step if the online passcode doesn’t work for some reason.
The Internal Revenue Service issues 90% of tax refunds within 21 days from getting your 1040 federal tax return. But if you’re still wondering where your refund is, the IRS has an online tool and a phone app to help you track the status of the refund. That said, the IRS strongly recommends e-filing your federal tax returns. If you choose to mail in a paper return, you could be waiting four-to-six weeks before the IRS can even give you a status of your tax refund.
Throw in a change of address, and you’re asking for more delays.
According to USPS.com, the change helps combat mail fraud. It should help prevent IRS Tax Refund Fraud as well. Before the verification step, anyone could file a change of address for you, collecting important documents and mail such as your tax returns, without you ever knowing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why might my tax refund be delayed if I recently moved and submitted a mail forwarding request?
If you submitted a USPS change of address request without completing the new identity verification step, your mail forwarding will not activate. This means your tax refund check could be sent to your old address with no forwarding in place, leaving you waiting months without receiving it.
How do I verify my identity with USPS to activate a change of address mail forwarding request?
You have two options: verify online at USPS.com using a one-time passcode for a $1.10 fee, or verify in person at a post office using a driver's license along with your change of address form. If the online passcode method doesn't work for any reason, you'll need to complete the in-person verification at your local post office.
How long does it typically take to receive a federal tax refund after filing?
The IRS issues 90% of tax refunds within 21 days of receiving your federal 1040 tax return. However, if you mail a paper return instead of e-filing, it can take four to six weeks before the IRS can even provide a status update on your refund.
What tools are available to track the status of a federal tax refund?
The IRS offers both an online tool and a phone app that allow taxpayers to track the status of their refund. The IRS strongly recommends e-filing your federal tax return to avoid additional delays in processing and refund delivery.
Why did USPS introduce the identity verification requirement for change of address requests?
According to USPS, the new verification step was introduced to help combat mail fraud. Before this change, anyone could file a change of address on your behalf and intercept important documents like tax refund checks without your knowledge, making it a common method used in IRS tax refund fraud schemes.
About the Author
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Nick Charveron is a tax professional at IRS.com with expertise in U.S. federal and state tax law. Their articles are written to help taxpayers understand complex tax topics in plain English.