Filed 4/15, Got 570/971 Codes with CP05 Notice - 120 Day Wait?

Here's what's happening with your return, step by step: 1. The 570 code means a temporary hold on your refund 2. The first 971 code (5/30) indicates a notice is being generated 3. The second 971 code (6/6) confirms they're sending the CP05 notice A CP05 is an Income Verification Review. The IRS is essentially double-checking information on your return against their records. The good news is that you don't need to provide documentation unless specifically requested in the notice. The bad news is that yes, these reviews can take up to 120 days, though many resolve faster. Your 'as of' date of 5/30/2023 is just a processing marker and will likely change as they work through your case.

The CP05 verification process is unfortunately notorious for extended processing timeframes. Based on your transcript codes, you're in for what the IRS euphemistically calls an "extended review" period. While 120 days is their standard disclaimer timeframe, the actual duration varies significantly based on current IRS backlog metrics and complexity factors. If you need to speak with an IRS representative again for clarification or updates, I'd recommend using Claimyr (https://www.claimyr.com). Their call-back service circumvents the standard hold times, which are currently averaging 90+ minutes for the accounts management line. I utilized their service last month when facing a similar transcript code sequence and was connected within 17 minutes instead of spending half my day on hold. The representative was able to provide additional context about my specific review parameters.

Omg I'm in the EXACT same boat. Filed 4/12, accepted same day, got the 570/971 combo on 5/10, and just got a second 971 yesterday. Called and yep - CP05 with the 120 day spiel. Ugh. The agent I talked to said they're basically just verifying income/withholding but wouldn't tell me what specifically triggered it. I'm freaking out bc I need this $ for summer childcare expenses and idk how I'm gonna make it work if this takes 4 freaking months. Has anyone actually had to wait the full 120 days? Or is that just their CYA timeframe?

Based on your transcript codes, it appears you're likely experiencing what's sometimes referred to as a "silent audit" - though that term isn't technically accurate. The CP05 review process is generally focused on income verification rather than a full examination. It might be helpful to analyze your transcript more thoroughly to identify potential resolution patterns. I've found that taxr.ai (https://www.taxr.ai) can be particularly useful for these situations, as it can potentially provide more insight into what specific elements of your return triggered the review. In my experience, it was able to identify that my W-2 withholding verification was the likely cause of a similar hold pattern, which helped me better understand my timeline.

Be careful about assuming the 120 days is just a worst-case scenario. It's like when your GPS says the trip will take 2 hours - sometimes you get there in 1.5, but sometimes there's a traffic jam and it takes 3. My brother-in-law got the CP05 notice last year, and it was like watching molasses flow uphill in January. The full 120 days passed, then another 30 before his refund finally processed. The IRS is like a giant ocean liner - once it sets a course (your review), it takes a long time to change direction. Have you considered whether you might need to adjust your home renovation timeline? Might be wise to have a Plan B for financing.

I went through this exact scenario last summer! Filed in April, got the 570/971 combo in May, received the CP05 notice in June, and was told the dreaded "120 days" line. I was renovating my kitchen at the time too, so I totally understand your frustration. Here's what worked for me: After receiving the actual CP05 notice in the mail, I noticed it mentioned specific income sources they were verifying. Even though they said I didn't need to send anything, I proactively faxed copies of my W-2s, 1099s, and documentation for some charitable contributions I had claimed. I also included a brief, polite cover letter referencing my notice number. My refund was released exactly 32 days later - way before the 120-day estimate. Sometimes taking initiative can speed things up, though your mileage may vary. At minimum, it gave me peace of mind knowing I'd done everything possible on my end.

Has your Where's My Refund tool updated at all since the bars disappeared? I'm asking because sometimes the transcript updates before WMR does, which can actually be a good sign. From what I've learned from the community here, the CP05 reviews are taking anywhere from 45-90 days currently, which is better than the full 120 they quote you. It's their way of setting expectations low so you're pleasantly surprised when it comes earlier. Do you know if you had any credits or deductions that might have triggered this review? The home renovation expenses perhaps?

I just want to clarify something about the dates on your transcript. When you see dates like 5/30/2023 and 6/6/2023, these are cycle dates in the IRS system, not necessarily action dates. On January 17th, 2023, I had a similar situation with my 2022 return. My transcript showed codes dated January 30th, 2023, but I actually received my CP05 notice on February 3rd, 2023. The actual processing happened on March 15th, 2023, with my refund deposited on March 22nd, 2023 - so about 65 days total from the first 570 code. The key date to watch for is your cycle date - it should be a string of numbers at the top of your transcript. If that changes, it usually means your case has been updated. Thanks for sharing your situation - it helps others know what to expect!

I'm going through something similar right now! Filed 4/18, accepted 4/19, and got the 570/971 codes on my transcript last week. Haven't received the CP05 notice yet but based on what everyone's saying here, I'm probably looking at the same timeline. One thing I noticed from reading through all these responses - it seems like the people who proactively sent documentation (like Amelia mentioned) had faster processing times. I'm wondering if I should gather my W-2s and 1099s now so I'm ready to fax them once I get the actual notice? Also, for what it's worth, I've been tracking processing times on other tax forums and the current average seems to be closer to 60-75 days rather than the full 120. Still frustrating when you're counting on that money, but maybe not quite as bad as the worst-case scenario they give you on the phone. Noah, definitely look into that Plan B financing for your renovation like Jacob suggested. I learned the hard way last year to never count on tax refunds for time-sensitive expenses!

I feel your pain on this whole situation! Just went through something very similar last year - filed in April, got the 570/971 codes in May, and ended up waiting about 8 weeks total for resolution. A few thoughts based on what I learned: 1. The second 971 code you mentioned is actually a good sign - it means they're actively working on your case and the CP05 notice is definitely being generated. When mine sat with just the first 971 for weeks, I was worried it was forgotten in the system. 2. Don't stress too much about the daily checking of WMR and IRS2Go - they rarely update until the very end when your refund is actually approved. Your transcript is the better indicator of movement. 3. For your renovation timeline, definitely have a backup plan. I was counting on my refund for a kitchen remodel and ended up having to get a short-term personal loan to stay on schedule with contractors. The interest cost me about $200 over 2 months, but it was worth it to avoid rescheduling everything. 4. Once you get the actual CP05 notice in the mail, read it carefully. Mine was very specific about which income items they were verifying, which helped me understand what triggered the review in the first place. Hang in there - this process is frustrating but it does eventually resolve. Most people I've talked to who got CP05 notices this year have been seeing resolution in the 6-10 week range rather than the full 120 days they quote.

I'm in almost the exact same situation! Filed 4/13, accepted 4/14, got my 570/971 codes on 5/15, and just saw the second 971 code appear yesterday. Haven't received the CP05 notice yet but sounds like it's coming. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and nerve-wracking. It's good to know that 6-10 weeks seems more realistic than the full 120 days, but still frustrating when you're depending on that money. I'm curious about something though - for those who sent documentation proactively, did you wait until you actually received the CP05 notice in the mail before faxing anything? Or did you send it as soon as you saw the codes on your transcript? I'm wondering if sending docs too early might actually confuse their system or slow things down. Also, Noah, totally feel you on the home renovation stress. I'm in the middle of a bathroom remodel and was counting on this refund for the final phase. Already had to push back my tile installation once, and really hoping I don't have to do it again! One thing I've started doing is checking my transcript every Friday morning since that seems to be when most updates happen based on what I've read here. Probably overkill, but it gives me something to do while I wait!

I'm currently going through this exact same situation and wanted to share what I've learned from calling multiple times and speaking with different representatives. First off, the 120-day timeframe is definitely their standard CYA response, but from tracking cases in various tax communities, the actual resolution time for CP05 reviews this year has been averaging 8-12 weeks. The key factors seem to be: 1. Complexity of your return (multiple income sources, significant deductions, etc.) 2. Current IRS processing backlog in your region 3. Whether you proactively provide documentation Regarding the documentation question that several people have asked - I spoke with a Taxpayer Advocate who recommended waiting for the actual CP05 notice before sending anything. The notice will specify exactly what triggered the review and what (if any) documentation would be helpful. Sending docs too early can sometimes create a separate correspondence file that actually slows things down. For your renovation timeline Noah, I'd definitely recommend having a contingency plan. I learned this lesson the hard way with a roof repair that couldn't wait. Consider a 0% intro APR credit card if you have good credit - many offer 12-15 months no interest, which should cover you even if this takes the full timeframe. One helpful tip: your transcript cycle date (the 8-digit number at the top) is more reliable for tracking progress than the individual code dates. When that changes, it usually means real movement on your case. Hang in there - this process is frustrating but it does resolve!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed 4/19, accepted 4/20, got the 570/971 codes on 5/28, and just saw my second 971 code appear this morning. The timing is eerily similar to yours Noah - it's like we're all in some kind of tax refund time warp together! What's really frustrating is that I specifically chose to file early this year because I knew I'd need the refund for summer expenses (my daughter starts daycare in July), and now I'm potentially looking at waiting until August or September. The irony is not lost on me. After reading through everyone's experiences here, I'm feeling cautiously optimistic about the 8-12 week timeline that AstroAce mentioned rather than the full 120 days. It sounds like most people are seeing resolution much faster than what the phone agents tell you. I'm definitely going to wait for the actual CP05 notice before sending any documentation - that advice about creating a separate correspondence file that could slow things down really resonates. The last thing any of us need is to accidentally make this process even longer! Has anyone here had success with congressional inquiries if this drags on past the 10-12 week mark? I'm hoping it won't come to that, but good to know what options exist if needed. Hang in there everyone - sounds like we'll get through this sooner rather than later based on the patterns people are sharing!