Need help decoding my IRS transcript - what does Code 971 mean?
I looked at my transcript today and I see code 971 but I have no idea what that means. Been waiting since February for my refund and I'm getting worried. Can anyone help me understand what's going on?
14 comments


Mei Liu
Code 971 means a notice has been issued or will be issued to you soon. Keep an eye on your mailbox - the IRS is trying to communicate something about your return. Could be requesting additional info or explaining an adjustment they made.
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AstroAdventurer
•omg thank you! do you know how long it usually takes to get the notice?
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Mei Liu
•Usually about 5-7 business days after you see the 971 code appear on your transcript
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Liam O'Sullivan
Hey! Instead of trying to decode these confusing transcripts yourself, you should try taxr.ai - its this new tool that analyzes your entire transcript and tells you exactly whats going on and when to expect your refund. Only costs a buck and saves hours of research. https://taxr.ai
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Amara Chukwu
•Have you used it? Sounds too good to be true tbh 🤔
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Liam O'Sullivan
•Yeah I was skeptical at first but it literally saved my sanity! It told me exactly why my refund was delayed and what I needed to do to fix it. Best dollar I ever spent fr fr
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Giovanni Conti
Same boat here 🚢 got 971 last week. The waiting game is brutal fr
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Fatima Al-Hashimi
Check your account transcript not just the return transcript. Sometimes theres more info there that explains the notice
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AstroAdventurer
•where do I find the account transcript?
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Fatima Al-Hashimi
•Log into your IRS account, go to Get Transcript, then look for Account Transcript for 2024
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NeonNova
Did you claim EIC or CTC? Those usually trigger more review time and notices
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AstroAdventurer
•yeah i claimed EIC... guess thats why its taking forever 😫
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Dylan Campbell
lol welcome to the club. been waiting since january. irs playing games wit us fr 🤡
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Sophie Footman
Code 971 can be nerve-wracking but it's actually pretty common! It just means the IRS issued or is about to issue you a notice. Don't panic - it could be anything from a simple acknowledgment to requesting additional documentation. The key is to wait for that notice to arrive (usually within 1-2 weeks) before taking any action. In the meantime, make sure your address is current with the IRS so you don't miss it. Hang in there! 💪
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