Understanding your CP01S notice

What this notice is about

We received your Form 14039 or similar statement for your identity theft claim. If you're due a refund, we'll issue it when we finish processing your case. We'll contact you if we need additional time or information.

You will receive notification that your case has been resolved. This is generally within 120 days but, due to extenuating circumstances caused by the pandemic, our identity theft inventories have increased dramatically and, on average, it is taking us up to 260 days to resolve identity theft cases. The IRS takes identity theft seriously and is committed to resolving identity theft cases as quickly as possible and are taking steps to reduce this timeframe to 120 days or less.

What you need to do

• You don’t need to do anything about the identity theft issue, other than responding promptly to any requests for information. Please don’t submit duplicate Forms 14039 or contact the IRS about the status of your identity theft claim until 430 days have passed from the date of your notice.
• Continue to file all required federal income tax returns.
• Pay your account in full if you have a balance owed to avoid interest and any applicable penalties, or
• Continue making your required monthly payments if you have an installment agreement.

You may want to

• Review the information at IRS identity theft victim assistance: How it works.
• Review the information at Identity Theft Central.
• Review Publication 5027, Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers PDF.

Frequently asked questions

Who should I contact if I have more questions about my account related to identity theft?

The Identity Protection Specialized Unit can assist you with questions regarding identity theft related to your account. You can call them at 800-908-4490. You can also find the number on your notice. For all other tax account related questions, contact the IRS help desk at 800-829-1040.

Where can I find more information on preventing identity theft?

• Review the information provided on the following websites:
  • • Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Consumer website and their OnGuard Online website.
  • Social Security Administration's (SSA) website for identity theft.
  • Learn what you can do to help make your personal, financial, and tax data safer at: Taxes. Security. Together.

Tips for next year

File your return as you normally would. If we find that someone is attempting to use your Social Security number for filing a tax return, we will notify you and provide you with an identity protection personal identification number (IP PIN) to use when filing your return.

The IP PIN can help prevent misuse of your taxpayer identification number on fraudulent federal income tax returns. Learn more at Get an identity protection PIN (IP PIN).