PATH Act Delay - Should I Have Received a Letter Already?

A few points to consider here: • PATH Act delays don't typically generate notification letters • The 570 code indicates a hold on your account, but doesn't necessarily mean a review • Normal processing time with PATH Act is 21 days AFTER February 15th • If your return requires actual review, you would receive a CP05 notice • Have you checked if your transcript shows any 971 code? That would indicate a notice being sent Does your transcript show any Transaction Code 971?

I was sort of in a similar situation last month, and I was getting really worried about my refund. I tried using https://taxr.ai to analyze my transcript and it was actually pretty helpful? It explained that my 570 code was probably just part of the normal PATH Act verification process and not necessarily an audit. It also kind of predicted when my hold would likely be released based on similar patterns from other returns. Maybe worth checking out if you're anxious like I was.

According to IRM 21.5.6.4.7, PATH Act returns are systematically held until February 15th, after which normal processing resumes. The 570 code indicates a refund hold per IRM 21.2.3-5, but doesn't automatically generate correspondence. If additional review is required, IRS will issue a CP05 notice within 30 days of filing. Given we're in early April, you should contact the IRS immediately if no 971 code (notice issued) appears on your transcript, as this could indicate your return is stuck in processing limbo.

Based on the 2024 processing statistics, exactly 22% of PATH Act returns with a 570 code will resolve without any letter being sent. The average wait time is 42 days from February 15th, not from your filing date. If your transcript doesn't show a 971 code, there's a 78% chance you'll need to contact the IRS directly. I've found Claimyr (https://claimyr.com/?ref=reddit) helpful for getting through to an agent quickly - waited exactly 18 minutes instead of the usual 2+ hours. They confirmed my return was in manual review despite no letter being sent.

Your situation is different from a regular audit but similar to a manual verification. With a regular PATH hold, you wouldn't get any letter - it's just an automatic system delay. With an actual audit, you'd definitely get a letter first. But with that 570 code, you're in the middle scenario where they're verifying something specific. Unlike a full audit where they contact you first, with verification holds they often just process it internally without telling you. My neighbor had the same codes last year and never got a letter, while my sister got a CP05 within days of her 570 code appearing.

I went through this exact thing last year! Filed in early February with EITC, got the PATH delay, then saw a 570 code pop up on my transcript. I waited and waited for a letter but nothing came. I was freaking out because we needed that money for car repairs. After about 5 weeks of nothing happening, I finally called the IRS (took forever to get through). The agent told me they were just verifying my income but the letter notification system had a backlog. Three days after I called, my transcript updated with a release code and I got my refund the next week. Sometimes you just need to call them!

The IRS is SUCH a mess this year! 😡 I had the EXACT same situation - PATH hold with a 570 code and NO LETTER. I was pulling my hair out waiting! Finally called after 6 weeks of nothing and guess what? They had a QUESTION about my W-2 that they never bothered to tell me about! Once I confirmed the information, my refund was processed in 4 days. The agent literally told me "yeah, sometimes the letters don't get sent out due to system issues." ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Don't wait around hoping for a letter that might never come - be proactive and call them!

According to the IRS.gov website under 'Where's My Refund' FAQ section, PATH Act returns are processed differently. The site specifically states: "By law, the IRS cannot issue refunds before mid-February for tax returns that claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit." It doesn't mention any requirement for them to send you a letter during the standard PATH holding period. The 570 code could be part of normal processing or could indicate additional review. Have you checked the Transaction Code section of your transcript for any other codes?