Code 810 'Refund Freeze' on IRS transcript - What to do?

Ugh, sorry to hear that. I had the same thing happen to me last year. It's a pain in the butt, but don't panic. Have you received any notices from the IRS about it?

Code 810 is typically used when the IRS suspects identity theft or fraud. Don't freak out, it doesn't mean you did anything wrong! They're just being extra cautious. Here's what you should do: 1. Wait for an official IRS notice. They'll explain why your refund is frozen and what steps you need to take. 2. If you don't receive a notice within 21 days, try calling the IRS directly. 3. Gather all your tax documents and keep them handy. You might need to verify your identity. 4. Check your credit report for any suspicious activity, just to be safe. 5. Be patient. These issues can take a while to resolve, but they usually work out in the end. Hang in there, OP! It's frustrating, but you'll get through it.

lol welcome to the club 🤡 the irs is a joke

I found a way to actually get someone on the phone at the IRS. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/UiAegRQ2Is8

Have you checked your tax transcript online? Sometimes there's more info there that can give you a clue about whats going on

Oof, been there done that. Took me 3 months to get my refund last year because of this. Hang in there!

anybody else feel like the irs is just playing games with our money? 🤔💸

Whatever you do, DON'T ignore this. My cousin did and it turned into a huge headache. Be proactive!

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago and wanted to share my experience. The Code 810 freeze lasted about 8 weeks for me, but here's what I learned: The IRS letter did eventually come (took about 3 weeks) and it explained they needed me to verify my identity due to suspicious activity on my SSN. I had to call their Identity Protection Specialized Unit and provide documents like my driver's license, social security card, and prior year tax return. Pro tip: If you need to call, do it early in the morning (like 7 AM) - the wait times are much shorter then. Also, have Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) ready just in case they ask for it. It's nerve-wracking but totally fixable. Once I provided the verification, my refund was released within 2 weeks. Stay patient and keep all your documents organized!

I'm dealing with the exact same Code 810 freeze right now! This thread is a lifesaver - I was starting to panic thinking I did something wrong with my return. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and timelines. Going to follow the advice about checking my transcript online and waiting for that IRS letter. Fingers crossed it gets resolved quickly! 🤞

I just went through this whole Code 810 mess about 2 months ago and wanted to add my perspective. The waiting is definitely the hardest part! A few things that helped me: 1. Document everything - I kept a spreadsheet with dates of when I checked my transcript, when I called, reference numbers, etc. Super helpful when talking to different agents. 2. The IRS2Go mobile app actually shows your refund status too and sometimes updates faster than the website. 3. When you do get through to someone on the phone, ask for the direct number to the department handling your case. Some agents will give you a direct line which saves time if you need to follow up. 4. Don't stress about the "identity theft" aspect - in my case it was just because I moved states and my address didn't match their records. Super simple fix once I talked to them. My refund took about 10 weeks total to get released, but the peace of mind came much sooner once I understood what was happening. You've got this! 💪

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through this exact situation twice now (unfortunately). The first time I panicked and called the IRS immediately, but the second time I knew what to expect and just waited for their letter. A few things that might help while you're waiting: - Make sure your address is current with the IRS. If you moved recently and didn't update it, that could be part of the issue. - Don't file an amended return or anything else tax-related while this is pending - it can complicate things. - If you used a tax prep service, give them a heads up. Sometimes they can provide additional documentation if needed. The good news is that Code 810 freezes are usually resolved pretty quickly once you provide whatever verification they need. I know it's stressful when it's your money sitting there, but try not to worry too much. The IRS deals with these all the time and they have a pretty streamlined process for resolving them. Keep us posted on how it goes! This community has been super helpful for tax issues like this.

I'm going through this right now too and this thread has been so reassuring! I got the Code 810 freeze about a week ago and have been checking my transcript obsessively every day. It's good to know that the waiting period seems pretty consistent across everyone's experiences - around 6-10 weeks total. One thing I wanted to add that I learned from calling the Taxpayer Advocate Service: if your refund is over $5,000 or if you're experiencing financial hardship because of the delay, they might be able to expedite the process. The number is 1-877-777-4778. They can't remove the freeze directly, but they can sometimes put pressure on the right departments to move things along faster. Also, for anyone else dealing with this - I found it helpful to sign up for informed delivery with USPS so I get notifications when mail is coming. That way I'm not anxiously checking my mailbox every day waiting for the IRS letter! Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and experiences. It really helps to know we're not alone in this! 🙏

I'm currently dealing with a Code 810 freeze myself (going on week 3 now) and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! Reading everyone's experiences has really helped calm my nerves. A couple of additional resources I've found helpful: - The IRS has a specific page about identity verification (search "verify your identity" on their site) that explains the whole process step by step - If you're really anxious like I was, you can also check if there are any IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers near you where you can go in person once you get your letter - sometimes face-to-face is faster than phone calls One question for those who've been through this: did any of you notice other codes appearing on your transcript while the 810 was active? I see a few other transaction codes and I'm not sure if that's normal or something to be concerned about. Thanks again to everyone sharing their timelines and tips - it's made this whole stressful situation so much more manageable knowing what to expect! 🙏