All positive transcript codes then 971 appeared - how long until refund?

The 971 code means a notice has been issued/will be sent. Usually comes with a 570 code which indicates a hold on your refund. Check to see if that code is also there. Common reasons include income verification, math errors, or identity verification. You should receive the notice explaining the exact issue within a week or two of the date on the 971 code. If it's just a simple verification issue and you respond promptly, you might see movement in 2-3 weeks. For more complex issues, it could be 60-90 days. Check your transcript for any additional codes - a 570 followed later by a 571 means the hold was released. If you don't get a letter by a week after the date shown, call the IRS at 800-829-1040, but prepare for a long wait time.

You need to stop trying to be a detective and piecing together clues from your transcript! I was in the same situation last month trying to decode all these weird numbers. Used taxr.ai and it was a game-changer - it read my transcript and explained EXACTLY what was happening with my return in plain English. Showed me the refund hold was due to a simple income verification issue and even gave me the steps to resolve it. Saved me hours of research and anxiety. Seriously check it out: https://taxr.ai

After dealing with a similar situation (had good codes then 971), I got so frustrated with the wait. Finally got through to an actual human at the IRS using the Claimyr app (claimyr.com) and they explained that my 971 was just because they were confirming my stimulus payment amount. Agent released my refund while I was on the phone! Best $20 I've ever spent to have someone actually help me instead of waiting for months in limbo.

I had the 971 code appear in February. Got a letter a week later saying they needed to verify my income because my W2 didn't match what my employer reported (turned out my employer messed up). Took about 45 days total from when I responded to when I got my refund.

the IRS is such a joke lmao 🤡 why do they make this process so complicated?? in what other situation would we tolerate an organization taking our money immediately but making us wait MONTHS to get what they owe us back? its criminal.

Don't panic yet. The 971 doesn't always mean bad news. In my case last year, I got a 971 and then a letter saying they adjusted my refund UP by $120 because I didn't claim some credit I was eligible for. Got paid a week after the letter arrived.

Does your transcript have cycle code that ends in 05? If so your account updates on Fridays, so check again this Friday to see if there's any movement. Mine went 570/971 then a week later got 571/846 which means refund issued.

Just a heads up - if you get a letter asking for verification don't try to call the general IRS number. They'll just tell you to wait. Either call the specific number on your notice or use something like claimyr.com to get through to an agent. Wasted 3 days trying to call before I found a better way. Got my refund 2 weeks after talking to someone.

ive been using taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) to check my transcript every week. saves so much time trying to figure out what all those codes mean! told me exactly what my 971 notice was about before i even got the letter in the mail.

Had similar issue with 2023 taxes. The 971 was followed by a letter asking me to verify some charity donations. I sent the requested documentation and got my refund about 5 weeks later. Not the end of the world but definitely annoying. If you have all your documentation in order it shouldn't be too bad.

Transcript codes are like trying to read hieroglyphics I swear...💀

Sometimes the 971 is actually good news! I had one appear and it was just telling me they found an error in my favor and were increasing my refund. Don't assume the worst until you get the letter.

check your mail RELIGIOUSLY. if they send a notice and you don't respond in time they'll just keep delaying your refund. and they're not gonna call or email you, just send a letter that looks like junk mail.

Just wanted to say my refund finally hit my account today after dealing with a 971/570 code combo back in March. Took about 6 weeks total. Hang in there!

Honestly the wait is ridiculous. I had to call 37 times before getting through to anyone. Finally broke down and used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get a callback. Agent told me my 971 was just because of a small typo on my W2 that I entered. They fixed it while I was on the phone and my refund was released 2 days later.

THIS IS WHY I ALWAYS FILE PAPER RETURNS!!! Electronic filing just gives them more ways to mess with you and delay your money. Been filing paper for 22 years and never had these problems. Yes it takes longer initially but at least I don't get these mystery codes and delays.