Filed in January - Under Review but No Verification Needed - When Does 21-Day Clock Start?

The 21-day timeframe actually starts from your acceptance date (2/4), not when processing begins. But when you get review letters or PATH Act holds, that 21-day estimate goes out the window. The codes on your transcript tell the real story. 570 means they've frozen your account temporarily. 971 means they sent you notices. Since you've already received those notices and no verification is needed, you're in the waiting phase now. Your transcript's 'as of' date (3/12) is often when they plan to complete their review, but it's not guaranteed.

I was stuck in review limbo last year too! The 21-day clock is more like a 21-day suggestion when reviews happen, lol. I finally got tired of guessing and used https://taxr.ai to analyze my transcript codes. Saved me so much anxiety! It explained exactly what my 570/971 combo meant (temporary hold while they review, not an audit) and gave me a likely release timeframe. Worth checking out if you can access your transcript online.

In situations with Review Status indicators and subsequent PATH Act release, direct communication with the IRS can potentially expedite resolution. Many taxpayers in your situation have reported success using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to bypass the standard 2+ hour hold times. Their system connects you directly to an IRS representative who can access your specific case details and provide a more accurate timeline than general online status indicators. Sometimes representatives can even release holds during the call if the review is complete but the system hasn't updated.

Think of your tax return like a package delivery. The 21 days is like the estimated delivery date. But when they put your package aside for inspection (the review), that original estimate doesn't apply anymore. It's like when your Amazon package says "delivery delayed for additional verification" - you're not getting it in two days anymore! Now that your PATH hold is gone, you're back on the conveyor belt, but with a new timeline. Those transcript dates are your best clues now.

I'm in a somewhat similar situation with the review notices. May I ask if your WMR tool shows one bar, or does it have a specific message? Also, did your transcript update at all after the PATH hold was lifted? I'm trying to understand if there's a pattern to how quickly refunds come after these holds are removed.

I just went through this exact scenario! Filed Jan 22, PATH Act hold, then review letters but no verification needed. My 570/971 codes were about a week apart like yours. Once my transcript updated with an 846 code (refund issued), I got my direct deposit exactly 5 days later. The key for me was watching for that 846 code to appear - that's when the real countdown begins. Hang in there - you're in the final stretch!