What the CP575 is and why banks ask for it

A CP575 notice is a letter the IRS sends when it has adjusted your tax account — usually because you owe money, received a refund, or had a penalty applied. Banks sometimes ask for it as proof of identity and current address because it comes directly from a federal agency, has your name and Social Security number on it, and shows a recent mailing address.

The CP575 is not a standard identity document like a driver's license or passport. Most banks will accept it, but only as a supplementary document alongside something else — typically a government-issued photo ID. A few banks may refuse it entirely if their system flags it as a tax notice rather than an identity document. The safest approach is to call the bank's account-opening line before you go in and ask whether they accept CP575 notices.

Key Takeaways

  • A CP575 can work as a secondary identity document to support a photo ID, but most banks will not accept it as your only form of identification.
  • The CP575 must be recent — typically issued within the last 12 months — and show your current address for the bank to consider it valid.
  • You will still need a primary government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport to open an account.
  • If you do not have a photo ID, some banks offer ID-free account opening using alternative verification methods, though the CP575 alone will not be enough.

What information the bank is actually checking

When a bank asks for the CP575, it is verifying three things: that your name matches across documents, that your address is current, and that you exist in a federal database. The IRS letter does all three because it comes from a government agency and contains your Social Security number.

Banks are required by federal law to verify your identity before opening an account — this is part of the Know Your Customer (KYC) rule. The CP575 helps satisfy that requirement, but it is not the primary document. Your photo ID is. The CP575 works as supporting evidence that you are who you say you are and that the address on your ID is still correct.

When the CP575 will and will not work

The CP575 will work if: you have a government-issued photo ID to pair it with, the notice is dated within the last 12 months, and the address on the notice matches the address you are giving the bank. If all three are true, most major banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank) will accept it as a supporting document.

The CP575 will not work if: it is your only form of identification, it is older than 12 months, the address on it does not match your current address, or the bank's system does not recognize tax notices as valid identity documents. Some online banks and credit unions have stricter rules and may reject it outright. Regional banks vary — some accept it readily, others do not.

What to bring when you open the account

Bring your photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport), your CP575 notice, and proof of your current address if it differs from what is on your photo ID. The proof of address can be a utility bill, lease agreement, or recent bank statement — something dated within the last 60 days.

If the address on your CP575 matches your photo ID and is current, you may not need the additional proof of address. If the address on your CP575 is different from your photo ID, the bank will likely ask which one is correct and may request the utility bill or lease to confirm. Bring all three documents to avoid delays.

If you do not have a photo ID

The CP575 alone will not open an account at a traditional bank. You will need a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, state ID, passport, or tribal ID. If you do not have one, you have two options: get one, or find a bank that offers ID-free account opening.

Some banks and credit unions offer account opening using alternative verification: they may ask security questions about your financial history, verify your Social Security number through a third-party service, or use your phone number and address to confirm your identity. The CP575 can support this process, but it is not the main verification tool. Call ahead to ask whether the bank offers this option — it is not standard across all institutions.

How recent the CP575 needs to be

Most banks will accept a CP575 dated within the last 12 months. Some are stricter and want it dated within the last 6 months. A few will accept notices older than 12 months if you also bring a recent utility bill or lease showing your current address.

If your CP575 is older than 12 months and shows an address you no longer live at, the bank will likely reject it. You can request a new CP575 from the IRS by calling 1-800-829-1040 or logging into your IRS account online at irs.gov. The IRS will mail a new notice, which typically arrives within 5 to 10 business days. If you need to open an account quickly, bring a recent utility bill or lease instead — those are more universally accepted as proof of current address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a CP575 if the address on it is old?

Not as your main proof of address. If the CP575 shows an old address, bring a recent utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days showing your current address. The bank needs to verify where you live now, not where you lived when the IRS sent the notice.

What if the bank says they do not accept CP575 notices?

Ask whether they accept other tax documents or whether you can use a utility bill and photo ID instead. If they refuse both, try a different bank or credit union — policies vary. Some online banks are more flexible about which documents they accept.

Do I need the CP575 if I have a driver's license?

No. A driver's license is sufficient on its own for most banks. The CP575 is useful only if your driver's license shows an old address and you want to prove your current address, or if you are opening an account at a bank that requires multiple forms of identity verification.

How long does it take to get a new CP575 from the IRS?

The IRS typically mails a replacement notice within 5 to 10 business days of your request. You can request one by phone at 1-800-829-1040 or through your IRS online account. If you need to open an account sooner, use a recent utility bill or lease as proof of address instead.

Will the CP575 work at an online bank?

Some online banks accept it, others do not. Online banks often have stricter document requirements because they cannot verify you in person. Call the bank's customer service line before you explore and ask specifically whether they accept IRS notices as supporting identity documents.