First time checking transcript - are they taking my entire refund? What do these codes mean?
This is my first time ever looking at my transcript and I have no idea what I'm seeing. I filed back in mid March and my return was accepted but nothing has happened since. Finally decided to check my transcript today since it's been over 12 weeks and I'm seeing all these codes that make no sense to me. There's something about an offset and now I'm worried they're taking my entire refund! The amount was supposed to be around $3400. I see codes like 570, 971, and 290. Can someone please explain what this all means? Do I need to call the IRS or is this normal processing? I don't have any debts that I know of that would cause them to take my refund.
45 comments
Michael Green
Based on what you're describing, here's what those codes mean: - Code 570 is a freeze on your account, which temporarily stops your refund from being issued - Code 971 indicates a notice has been sent to you (check your mail in the next week or so) - Code 290 is a tax assessment adjustment When you see these codes together, it usually means the IRS is making adjustments to your return. This doesn't necessarily mean they're taking your whole refund. They could be adjusting your refund amount due to errors they found or verification they need to do. Do you see a TC 898 code? That would indicate an offset (money being taken for past debts). If you don't see that specific code, it's likely just normal processing delays. I'd recommend waiting for the notice in the mail before panicking. If you don't receive anything within 2 weeks, then calling the IRS would be your next step.
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Hannah White
•Thank you so much! I don't see a TC 898 code anywhere on the transcript. That's a relief. I'll keep an eye out for the notice.
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Mateo Silva
•those code explanations are actually pretty helpful. i got similar ones on mine and have been stressing for weeks
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Victoria Jones
•Wait but what if you DO see a TC 898? Asking for a friend 😬
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Michael Green
•If you see TC 898, that means there's an offset where they're taking some/all of your refund to pay past debts like student loans, child support, state taxes, etc. You'd get a letter explaining exactly what debt it's going toward.
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Victoria Jones
•well shit. thanks for the info 🙃
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Cameron Black
honestly after spending HOURS trying to figure out my own transcript, I finally just used taxr.ai and it instantly told me what was happening with my return. It explained all the codes and even predicted when Id get my money. Saved me so much headache trying to decode all that IRS jargon. Would recommend checking it out (https://taxr.ai) instead of playing detective with your transcript.
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Jessica Nguyen
•Sounds interesting. How exactly does it work? Does it just read your transcript or does it do more?
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Cameron Black
•It analyzes your whole transcript and explains everything in plain english! It told me exactly why my refund was delayed, what each code meant, and when to expect my money. I was about to call the IRS and wait on hold for 3 hours before I found this. Best decision ever.
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Isaiah Thompson
•another app? seems sketchy tbh
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Cameron Black
•I was super skeptical too but it doesn't ask for any personal info like SSN or anything - just analyzes the transcript data. Literally saved me from having a breakdown trying to understand all those codes lol
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Jessica Nguyen
•JUST TRIED IT AND OMG!! Where has this been all my life?? I've been checking WMR every day for weeks with no updates. This actually explained everything happening with my return and gave me peace of mind. THANK YOU!!
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Ruby Garcia
After dealing with similar issues on my transcript, I found a way to actually talk to a real human at the IRS instead of banging my head against the wall. I used the Claimyr app (claimyr.com) and got through to an agent in about 30 minutes instead of waiting on hold for 5 hours. The agent explained everything about my transcript and even released my refund while I was on the phone. Talking to an actual person solved my problem immediately - definitely worth checking out if you're confused.
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Alexander Evans
•Does that actually work? I've been trying to call for weeks and can never get through 😭
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Ruby Garcia
•100% works. I was super hesitant but after my 6th failed attempt trying to call them myself I gave in. Best decision ever - got my issues resolved in one call. Just search claimyr and you'll find it
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Evelyn Martinez
•idk seems like a scam to me
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Ruby Garcia
•Not a scam at all! It's just a calling service that navigates the IRS phone tree and holds your place in line. When they get an agent, they call you and connect you. Saved me literally hours of my life and talking to the agent got my refund released within days.
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Benjamin Carter
When I had those same codes, it turned out they were just verifying my income. Took about 3 weeks after I saw the codes for my refund to be approved. Don't panic yet!
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Maya Lewis
the irs is the worst bruh. they've been holding my refund for 4 months with those same codes and no explanation. good luck 👍
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Isaac Wright
•Same boat. 120 days and counting. This system is broken af
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Lucy Taylor
•Y'all should both check your mail. They probably sent a letter requesting more info and ur just missing it
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Maya Lewis
•nah i've been checking my mail obsessively. nothing from them. they're just sitting on our money earning interest while we wait 🤡
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Connor Murphy
If ur worried about an offset, you can call the Treasury Offset Program directly at 800-304-3107. They can tell you if you have any debts that would reduce your refund. Saved me a lot of worry when I was in your situation.
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KhalilStar
•This is actually good advice! I did this last year when I was freaking out about my refund.
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Hannah White
•Thank you! I'll try calling them tomorrow.
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Amelia Dietrich
Did u claim EIC or child tax credit? Those automatically get extra scrutiny and delays.
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Hannah White
•Yes I claimed both for my two kids. That might explain the delay then
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Amelia Dietrich
•Yep thats ur answer right there. Those take longer to process because of fraud prevention. Just wait for the notice, but your probably fine.
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Kaiya Rivera
Do yourself a favor and dont try to understand those transcripts yourself. Even tax pros struggle with them sometimes. I spent hours trying to decode mine last year and still got it wrong. This year I used taxr.ai and it explained everything clearly including why my refund was delayed and when to expect it.
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Katherine Ziminski
Listen the ONLY way to know for sure is to talk to an agent. Stop with the guessing game. I tried for 2 weeks to get through on the phone with no luck. Used claimyr.com and got a callback with an agent in 27 minutes. They explained exactly what was happening and released my refund on the spot. Worth every penny to finaly get this resolved.
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Noah Irving
•second this. sometimes u just need to talk to an actual human who can look at ur specific situation
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Vanessa Chang
Pro tip: the cycle code at the top of your transcript can tell you when you'll get updates! If your cycle code ends in 05, you're on a weekly cycle and get updates on Fridays. If it ends in 01-04, you're daily and can see movement any day.
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Hannah White
•Mine ends in 05! So I should check back on Friday?
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Vanessa Chang
•Yep! Transcripts usually update overnight Thursday into Friday for 05 cycle folks. Your WMR might not update until Saturday tho.
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Madison King
Those codes are definitely NOT saying theyre taking your whole refund. 570 is just a temporary hold while they verify something. 971 means they sent you a letter. Dont stress until you get the letter - might just be a small adjustment.
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Julian Paolo
Did u check if u have a 846 code with a future date? That's the refund issued code and would have the final amount ur getting.
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Hannah White
•I dont see an 846 code anywhere on the transcript
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Julian Paolo
•Then they haven't finished processing yet. You'll get that code when they approve the refund. Just hang tight!
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Ella Knight
i had EXACTLY the same codes in April!! Freaked out but it turned out they just adjusted my refund by $126 because I made a math error. Got my (slightly smaller) refund 2 weeks after those codes appeared. Chill for now 😎
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Hannah White
•That's reassuring! I wouldn't mind a small adjustment as long as I get most of it
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William Schwarz
After spending 7 hours on hold trying to talk to the IRS over 3 different days, I gave up and used claimyr. Had an agent on the phone within the hour who fixed my issue. It was literally the only way I could get through to a human. Won't ever waste my time on hold again tbh.
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Lauren Johnson
lol welcome to the "wtf do these transcript codes mean" club. We meet on Fridays to cry together 🤣
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Jade Santiago
•and to frantically refresh the WMR page every 5 minutes even though we know it only updates once a day 💀
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Lauren Johnson
•Stop attacking me!! I feel seen and I don't like it 😂😂
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Caleb Stone
i had the same issue last month and tried searching all over youtube and reddit to understand what was happening. after days of research and confusion I tried taxr.ai and it gave me a whole breakdown of what was happening with explanations for all the codes. saved me soooo much time and stress.
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