420 Code on Transcript and "Audit Status Unavailable" Error - No Audit Letters Received But Refund Delayed

Hey there! Tax pro chiming in about that 420 code on your transcript. The 420 code typically means your return was selected for examination/review - but don't panic! This doesn't automatically mean a full audit. Often it's just the IRS doing additional verification on certain items. Could be something as simple as income verification or checking documentation for credits claimed. Looking at your situation, I'd strongly recommend using taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) to get a detailed analysis of your transcript and estimated timeline. It's been super helpful for my clients to understand exactly what's happening with their returns and when they might see movement.

Tax pro here - Code 420 typically indicates that your return is under review, but it doesn't automatically mean audit. It could be identity verification or they need to verify some information. Check if you received any notices in the mail.

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I had this last year, ended up being nothing. They just wanted to verify my w2 info

same boat rn 😭 been waiting 3 months with this code

These clowns at the IRS need to get it together fr fr 🤡

Just went thru this. Check your mail carefully and respond to EVERYTHING they send asap. Don't sleep on any deadlines

Don't panic! I went through the exact same thing last year - 420 code showed up and I was convinced I was getting audited. Turns out they just needed to verify some income information from my employer. The "Audit Status Unavailable" error is actually pretty common when their system is updating or when there's no active audit to display. Since you haven't received any letters yet, it's likely just a routine review. Keep checking your mail for the next 2-3 weeks - they'll send you a letter explaining exactly what they need if anything. In the meantime, gather all your tax documents just in case. The waiting is the worst part but try not to stress too much - most of these resolve without any issues!

Hey Keisha! I totally understand your anxiety - seeing that 420 code for the first time is definitely nerve-wracking. From what I've seen in this community, the 420 code usually means they're doing some kind of verification or review, but it's not necessarily a full audit. The "Audit Status Unavailable" error you're getting is actually pretty common and doesn't mean you're definitely being audited - their system just can't display audit info when there might not even be an active audit to show. Since you haven't received any letters yet, I'd give it another week or two before calling. Sometimes the letters take a while to arrive, and calling too early might not give you much info since they're probably still processing whatever review they're doing. In the meantime, maybe gather up all your tax documents just in case they do need something specific. And try not to let it consume your thoughts (easier said than done, I know!). Most of these situations resolve without major issues - you're definitely not alone in dealing with this!

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago! Had the 420 code show up and got that same "Audit Status Unavailable" error message. I was absolutely panicking because I needed my refund for rent. Turns out it wasn't an audit at all - they just needed to verify some information about my Earned Income Tax Credit. The whole thing took about 6 weeks from start to finish. I got a letter about 10 days after the 420 code appeared asking for some basic documentation (pay stubs and a few other things). The waiting is honestly the worst part because your mind goes to all the worst case scenarios. But in most cases like yours, it's just routine verification. Keep checking your mail daily and try to stay patient. Once you get that letter, you'll know exactly what they need and can get it resolved pretty quickly. Hang in there - you're going to get through this! 💪

I totally get the panic you're feeling right now - that 420 code can be super scary when you see it for the first time! I went through something similar last year and it turned out to be much less dramatic than I thought it would be. The "Audit Status Unavailable" error doesn't necessarily mean you're being audited - sometimes their system just shows that when there's no active audit status to display or when they're still processing something on their end. Since you haven't received any letters yet, I'd recommend waiting about 2 weeks before calling. The IRS usually sends correspondence within 10-14 days of when these codes appear, and calling too early might not give you much useful information. In the meantime, gather up all your tax documents (W-2s, 1099s, receipts for any deductions/credits you claimed) just in case they do need additional verification. Most of these reviews are routine and resolve within 4-8 weeks once they have what they need. Try not to stress too much (I know, easier said than done!). The vast majority of these situations are just verification requests, not full audits. You'll get through this! 🤞