570/971 Codes After Filing Prior Year Return - Anyone Seeing Movement?
For those of you that needed to file past tax returns to get your 2024 refund released… I'm dying to know if you've had any updates yet? 😬 I got those dreaded 570/971 codes on my transcript last week because I needed to file my 2021 return. I faxed everything to them early last week, and I'm checking WMR obsessively every day. So anxious about this! I really need this refund to help with my mom's medical expenses that I've been covering. Has anyone been through this and seen movement? I'm trying to be patient but it's so hard! 💔
18 comments


Hunter Brighton
I went through this exact situation. Here's what to expect: 1. After faxing, the IRS typically takes 4-6 weeks to process prior year returns. This is frustrating but normal. 2. Your 570 code (refund hold) will remain until they process your prior year return. 3. The 971 code means they sent you a notice explaining the hold. 4. Once they process the prior year return, you'll see a 571 code (release of hold). 5. Then you'll see an 846 code with your direct deposit date. The whole process took me 8 weeks from faxing to refund, which was infuriating since I needed the money sooner. My advice: call the IRS after 3 weeks if you see no movement.
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Dylan Baskin
•Thank you for the detailed breakdown! This matches exactly what I'm seeing with the Transaction Code Sequencing on my transcript. The Refund Hold Release Indicator should appear once Prior Year Return Processing is complete.
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Lauren Wood
•Does this timeline change if you e-filed the prior year return instead of faxing it? I'm in the same boat but used a tax professional who could e-file my 2021 return.
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Ellie Lopez
•I think this information might help ease some worries. It's reassuring to know there's a process in place, even if it takes longer than we'd like.
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Chad Winthrope
I'm in a similar situation and have some questions: • Did you receive an actual letter in the mail? • Did you include a cover letter with your fax? • Did you call to confirm they received your fax? • Are you checking your transcripts daily or just WMR? I'm so worried my fax got lost in their system or something 😰
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Paige Cantoni
Yes, I did receive a CP49 notice dated March 14th, 2024 explaining exactly what I needed to file. I included a cover letter referencing my notice number when I faxed my 2021 return on March 21st. I've been checking both my transcript and WMR daily - transcript still shows the 570/971 codes from March 18th with no updates yet.
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Kylo Ren
I was in this exact situation last year. After faxing my prior year return, I waited 3 weeks with no movement, then tried calling the IRS. Spent 4 days trying to get through on their main line with no luck. Finally used Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) and got connected to an agent in about 15 minutes. The agent confirmed they had received my fax and noted my account to expedite processing. My transcript updated 5 days later. According to the IRS website, average wait times are still over 90 minutes, so having something that can wait on hold for you is pretty essential.
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Nina Fitzgerald
How did you know which fax number to use? It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack on the IRS website. Did you fax to the general number or is there a specific department that handles prior year returns? It's like having a key but not knowing which lock it fits! 🔍
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Jason Brewer
I had this exact situation in February. Received 570/971 codes on February 8th, faxed my 2020 return on February 12th. Transcript updated March 15th with code 571 (hold released), and refund deposited March 20th. So about 5 weeks total from fax to deposit. Would it have been faster if the IRS didn't operate like they're still using technology from 1995? Absolutely. But at least there's a clear process, even if it's painfully slow.
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Kiara Fisherman
•I'm going through this right now too. It's so stressful not knowing if they've even received what you sent. I'm glad to hear you got resolution though - gives me hope! Did you call at any point during those 5 weeks to confirm they received your fax?
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Liam Cortez
•Five weeks! That's crazy. I sent mine three weeks ago. Nothing yet. Checking transcript daily. No changes. Really need this money. Tax system is broken.
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Savannah Vin
From what I've generally seen in the community, there seems to be a somewhat predictable pattern with these prior year filings. It typically might take around 4-8 weeks for most people, though I believe there are possibly some factors that could potentially speed things up or slow them down. If you perhaps included all requested documentation clearly labeled and possibly referenced your notice number, you might see faster processing than someone who didn't, in my experience.
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Mason Stone
•I remember when I went through this last year! The key was making sure I wrote my SSN on EVERY page I faxed. My tax pro told me this makes a huge difference in how quickly they can process it.
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Makayla Shoemaker
•Did anyone have success calling the Taxpayer Advocate Service? I've been waiting 9 weeks now after faxing my 2020 return and I'm desperate. My car broke down and I really need this refund.
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Christian Bierman
Just to clarify for everyone - the 570 code means refund hold and 971 means notice issued. When the IRS processes ur prior yr return, you'll see code 571 (hold released) and then 846 (refund issued). Timing varies but avg is 6wks from what I've seen. Def include a cover sheet w/ ur SSN, tax yr, and notice # when faxing. Anyone else notice faster processing when faxing vs mailing?
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Emma Olsen
•This is super helpful! 😅 I've been staring at my transcript trying to decode it like I'm in The Da Vinci Code. At least now I know what I'm looking for when it (hopefully) updates!
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Miguel Ortiz
I'm currently going through this nightmare too! Got my 570/971 codes on my transcript last Monday after filing my 2024 return. Turns out I need to file my 2022 return first. I'm a total newbie to this process and honestly feeling overwhelmed by all the fax numbers and documentation requirements. Quick question for everyone who's been through this - when you faxed your prior year return, did you include Form 1040X or just the original 1040? The notice I received wasn't super clear about this. Also, has anyone had success with e-filing through a tax preparer instead of faxing? I'm willing to pay the extra fee if it means faster processing since I really need this refund for some unexpected home repairs. Thanks for sharing your experiences - it's comforting to know I'm not alone in this mess! 🤞
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Sean Kelly
•Welcome to the club nobody wants to be in! 😅 For your question about forms - you typically just need to file the original 1040 for 2022, not a 1040X (that's for amendments). The IRS just needs your missing return processed. As for e-filing vs faxing, from what I've seen in this thread, e-filing through a tax pro might be faster since it goes directly into their system rather than sitting in a fax pile. Given that you need the money for home repairs, it might be worth the extra cost for peace of mind! Just make sure whoever you use can actually e-file prior year returns - not all preparers have that capability.
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