What Is IRS Letter 4883C?

Letter 4883C is an identity verification letter from the IRS. It means the IRS has flagged your return — typically because of potential identity theft or fraud indicators — and is asking you to call them to confirm that you actually filed the return before they process it or issue a refund. Unlike the Letter 4464C, which is a passive hold, the 4883C requires you to take action.

The letter will include a phone number to call — typically the IRS's Identity Verification line — and will specify a window of time during which to call. When you call, the IRS will ask you to verify your identity using information from your current year return, your prior year return (if you filed one), and potentially other personal information. Have the following on hand when you call: the 4883C letter itself, your most recent tax return (current year and prior year), any W-2s, 1099s, or other supporting documents, and your Social Security card or a government-issued photo ID.

If you filed the return in question, verify your identity as instructed and your return will be processed. Refunds may take up to 9 weeks to arrive after successful verification. If you didn't file the return — meaning someone else filed using your Social Security number — you should still call the number on the letter and report it as identity theft. The IRS will flag your account and work with you on resolving the fraudulent return. You should also file Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) and consider placing a fraud alert or freeze with the major credit bureaus.

The IRS will never send a 4883C by email, text, or social media — those are scams. The real letter arrives by postal mail. The IRS also won't demand immediate payment or threaten arrest over the phone as part of an identity verification process. If you receive a letter that looks like a 4883C but is requesting payment or seems otherwise suspicious, verify its authenticity at irs.gov before calling any phone number on the letter.