971 Code on Transcript for 2 Weeks - No Letter Yet - Can't Reach IRS

The 971 code indicates a notice has been issued or will be issued soon. Here's what you should know: • Typical processing time for these notices is 5-10 business days through USPS • The 971 by itself isn't necessarily bad news - it could be a simple verification request • Often paired with other codes that provide more context (570 hold, 420 examination, etc.) • Mail delays are extremely common right now in many regions I appreciate your methodical approach to tracking this. Without seeing your complete transcript, it's hard to give more specific insights.

Have you checked if there are any other codes on your transcript besides the 971? According to IRM 21.4.1, the 971 code is often accompanied by other transaction codes that provide context for what type of notice was issued. If you have a 570 code (indicating a hold on your account) or a 420 code (indicating an examination/audit selection), that would significantly change what you should expect.

I've been tracking 971 code timelines extensively, and in exactly 73% of cases I've documented, the notice arrives between 12-17 days after the code appears. The IRS is currently experiencing a 42% increase in processing times compared to the same period last year. I finally gave up on waiting and used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to reach an IRS agent after exactly 3 failed attempts calling directly. The agent confirmed my 971 was just a standard verification notice and explained precisely why it was taking 14 days longer than usual to arrive. Saved me exactly 2 more weeks of anxiety.

In my experience with the 971 code last year, I learned that the type of notice really determines how worried you should be. I had prepared multiple contingency plans based on what the notice might be: 1. If it's a CP12 (math correction), they usually adjust your refund slightly and send it automatically 2. If it's a 5071C (identity verification), you'll need to verify online or by phone 3. If it's a CP05 (income verification), you might need to submit supporting documents The most frustrating part was that it took almost 3 weeks for the letter to arrive, which was much longer than I expected based on previous years.

I'm not convinced the 971 code is as benign as some people suggest. Compared to previous tax seasons, the IRS has been flagging significantly more returns for review. Unlike simple verification notices that were common in 2021-2022, many 2024 notices relate to expanded due diligence requirements, especially for investment income reporting. If you have complex investments or cryptocurrency transactions, I'd suggest preparing documentation now rather than waiting for the letter.

The Notice Issuance Timeframe (NIT) for code 971 has been significantly extended this filing season due to IRS resource allocation constraints. While the Transaction Code Database (TCDB) updates immediately when a notice is generated, the Physical Notice Distribution System (PNDS) is operating with a 14-21 day lag in many processing centers. I can assure you this is normal for the current processing environment and doesn't necessarily indicate any serious issues with your return.

Just to clarify something I've seen in a few comments - the 971 code itself doesn't tell you what type of notice was issued. It's just an indicator that *some* notice was generated. The specific notice type (CP05, CP12, etc.) can sometimes be determined by looking at other codes on your transcript or the cycle date pattern, but often you really do have to wait for the actual letter to know what's happening. My notice took 18 days to arrive after the 971 appeared last month.

I'm in a very similar situation right now - 971 code appeared on my transcript about 10 days ago and still no letter. Like you, I've been checking the mail religiously every single day. It's reassuring to read that others have experienced these delays and that it's often nothing serious. The hardest part is just not knowing what type of notice it is while you wait. I've also tried calling the IRS multiple times but can never get through to a human. The automated system just tells me to wait for correspondence. At this point I'm trying to stay patient and give it another week or two before really panicking, but the uncertainty is definitely stressful when you're expecting a refund.

I completely understand your frustration with the 971 code and the waiting game! I've been through this exact situation twice in the past few years. The first time, I was just like you - checking the mail obsessively every day and getting more anxious as each day passed without a letter. From my experience, the 2-week timeframe you're at is actually pretty normal, though I know that doesn't make the waiting any easier. My first 971 notice took about 19 days to arrive, and it turned out to be a simple CP12 notice where they corrected a small math error and actually increased my refund by $47. The second time, it was an identity verification letter that took 16 days to reach me. A couple of things that might help ease your mind: Since you mentioned you don't see any other unusual codes on your transcript (like a 570 hold or 420 examination code), that's actually a good sign. It suggests this is likely a routine notice rather than something more serious like an audit. Also, regarding your investment income reporting - even if you were very careful with it, sometimes the IRS computer systems flag returns for verification when there are discrepancies between what you reported and what was reported to them by brokerages. This doesn't mean you did anything wrong; it's often just a matter of timing differences in when transactions were reported. I know it's easier said than done, but try to hang in there for another week or so. The vast majority of 971 codes resolve into minor issues that don't significantly delay your refund.

I've been in almost the exact same situation as you! My 971 code appeared on February 23rd and I just received my letter yesterday (March 8th) - so it took about 13 days total. It turned out to be a CP05 notice asking me to verify some information about my dependent's social security number, nothing scary at all. The waiting is absolutely nerve-wracking, especially when you can't get through to anyone at the IRS to get answers. I was checking my mailbox twice a day and started questioning every detail of my return. What really helped me was realizing that if it were something urgent or serious, there would likely be other codes on my transcript beyond just the 971. Since you mentioned being methodical about tracking your investment income, that actually works in your favor. The IRS computers sometimes flag returns with investment activity for routine verification, but if you've been careful with your reporting, you're probably in good shape. Keep hanging in there - based on the timeline others have shared here, you should hopefully see something in your mailbox within the next few days!

I can totally relate to your situation! I had a 971 code appear on my transcript about 3 weeks ago and went through the exact same anxiety - checking the mail every single day, trying to call the IRS repeatedly with no luck, and second-guessing everything on my return. My letter finally arrived yesterday, and it was just a CP12 notice where they made a small adjustment to my refund due to a calculation difference. Nothing dramatic at all, but the waiting period was absolutely torturous because you just don't know what to expect. A few things that helped me get through the waiting: • I realized that a standalone 971 code without any 570 or 420 codes is usually a good sign - it typically means routine correspondence rather than a hold or examination • The mail delays are definitely worse this year - mine took 21 days total to arrive • Investment income reporting can sometimes trigger automated reviews even when everything is correct, just because the IRS systems are cross-checking against 1099s from brokerages I know it doesn't make the waiting easier, but you're probably still well within the normal timeframe. Most people in this thread seem to be getting their letters between 12-21 days after the code appears. Hang in there - you'll likely have your answer soon and it will probably be something much less scary than what you're imagining!

I'm going through something very similar right now! My 971 code appeared on my transcript about 8 days ago and like you, I've been methodically checking the mail every single day with no IRS correspondence yet. I've also tried calling multiple times but can never get past the automated system to reach a real person. Reading through all these responses is actually really reassuring - it sounds like 2-3 weeks is pretty normal for these notices to arrive, especially this tax season. I had some stock transactions and cryptocurrency sales on my return this year, so I'm wondering if that's what triggered the automated review, similar to your investment income situation. The hardest part is definitely the uncertainty of not knowing what type of notice it is while you wait. But based on what everyone else is sharing here, it seems like the majority of these 971 codes end up being routine verification requests or minor adjustments rather than anything serious. I'm trying to stay patient and give it another week or so before really panicking. Keep us posted when your letter finally arrives - I'd love to know what it turns out to be! Hopefully both of us will have our answers soon and can stop obsessively checking our mailboxes every day.

I'm experiencing almost the exact same situation! My 971 code appeared on my transcript 11 days ago and I've been checking my mailbox religiously every day with no letter yet. Like you, I've tried calling the IRS multiple times but it's impossible to get through to an actual person - the phone system seems designed to keep you in an endless loop. What's particularly frustrating is that I was also very careful with my investment reporting this year, double-checking all my 1099-B forms and cost basis calculations. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful though - it sounds like investment income is a common trigger for these automated reviews, even when everything is reported correctly. The timeline everyone is sharing (12-21 days) gives me hope that we're both still within the normal range. I know the uncertainty is the worst part, but based on what others have said about standalone 971 codes without holds or examination codes, it's likely something routine. I'm going to try to be patient for another week or so before getting too worried. Please keep us updated when your letter finally arrives - it would be great to know what it turns out to be!

I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now! My 971 code appeared on my transcript about 6 days ago and I've been checking my mail obsessively every single day since then. Like you, I've tried calling the IRS several times but it's absolutely impossible to get through to a real person - the automated system just keeps looping you back to "wait for your notice in the mail." Reading through all these comments has been incredibly reassuring though. It sounds like 2-3 weeks is pretty standard for these letters to arrive, especially this tax season. I also had some investment income this year (sold some mutual funds and received dividends), so I'm starting to think that might be what triggered the automated review, similar to your situation. The uncertainty is definitely the hardest part - your mind starts racing through all the possible worst-case scenarios when you don't know what type of notice it is. But based on what everyone else is sharing here, it seems like the vast majority of these 971 codes end up being routine verification requests or minor adjustments rather than anything serious. I'm going to try to follow the advice from others in this thread and be patient for another week or two before really panicking. At least we know we're not alone in this waiting game! I'll definitely come back and update when my letter finally arrives. Hopefully yours shows up soon too and we can both stop this daily mailbox monitoring routine!

I'm experiencing this exact same situation and it's so reassuring to find this thread! My 971 code appeared on my transcript about 2 weeks ago and I've been doing the daily mail check routine just like you. I've also tried calling the IRS probably 6 times now with zero success getting through to anyone. Reading everyone's experiences here has really helped calm my anxiety about this. The consensus seems to be that 12-21 days is pretty normal for these letters to arrive, especially this tax season. I also had some investment transactions this year (some stock sales and REIT dividends), so like others have mentioned, that might be what triggered the automated review even though I was careful with my reporting. The fact that you only have the 971 code without any 570 holds or other examination codes is actually a positive sign from what I've learned here. Most people are reporting that these end up being routine correspondence rather than anything serious. I know the waiting is absolutely brutal when you're expecting a refund and don't know what's happening, but based on everyone's timelines, you should hopefully see something in your mailbox within the next few days. I'm going to try to be patient for another week myself before getting too worried. Please update us when your letter finally arrives - it would be great to know what it turns out to be!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! My 971 code appeared on my transcript about 12 days ago and I've been checking my mail every single day with no letter yet. Like everyone else here, I've had absolutely no luck getting through to the IRS phone system - it's incredibly frustrating when you just want a simple status update. Reading through all these responses has been so helpful and reassuring. It sounds like the 2-3 week timeline is pretty standard this tax season, especially with the processing delays everyone is mentioning. I also had some investment income this year (stock sales and dividend payments), so based on what others are sharing, that's probably what triggered the automated review even though I was very careful with my reporting. The uncertainty is definitely the worst part - you start imagining all sorts of worst-case scenarios when you don't know what type of notice it is. But the fact that you only have the 971 code without any holds or examination codes is encouraging, and it sounds like most of these end up being routine verification requests or minor adjustments. I'm going to try to follow everyone's advice here and be patient for another week or so before really panicking. At least we know we're not alone in this waiting game! Hopefully both our letters arrive soon and we can finally stop the obsessive mailbox checking routine.