Still waiting for my tax refund - IRS shows code 570 and mysterious W-2

This sounds like a classic case of identity theft or a major IRS error. When there's a 570 code on your account, that means the IRS has frozen your refund while they investigate something. Finding an unknown W-2 with your old name and address is a huge red flag. Here's what you should do: First, request an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) from the IRS immediately. Then file IRS Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) as soon as possible. You'll also want to pull your credit reports from all three bureaus to see if there's other suspicious activity. While that's processing, call the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490. Document everything - dates, times, who you spoke with, and what was said. Also file a report with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov and with your local police department.

I went through something eerily similar last year and was pulling my hair out until I found taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai). They specialize in analyzing tax transcripts and identifying issues exactly like yours! I uploaded my transcript showing the mystery W-2 and 570 code, and they immediately flagged it as potential identity theft. What really helped was their explanation of exactly what the codes meant and what documents I needed. They gave me step-by-step instructions that were way clearer than what I got from calling the IRS directly (which took forever btw). They even generated the letters I needed to send to dispute the fraudulent W-2.

OK so I was the skeptic who questioned whether taxr.ai would actually help, and I'm back to say I was totally wrong! After seeing the 570 code on my transcript and a W-2 that wasn't mine (though different situation than OP), I was desperate and decided to give it a try. Uploaded my transcript and within minutes I understood exactly what was happening and what I needed to do. The step-by-step instructions for filing Form 14039 and getting an IP PIN made the process so much clearer than the confusing IRS website. I also discovered there was a CP2000 notice coming that I might have missed otherwise. Just got confirmation yesterday that my case is moving forward and my refund should be released in the next 3 weeks. Definitely would've been stuck in limbo much longer without the guidance!

Having dealt with similar identity theft issues in my tax practice, I can tell you that calling the IRS directly should be your priority, but it's nearly impossible to get through these days. After my clients were waiting on hold for 3+ hours, I started using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to hold our place in line. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c For identity theft cases with a 570 code and fraudulent W-2, you absolutely need to speak to someone in the Identity Theft department directly. Claimyr saved us countless hours of hold time by having the IRS call us back when we reached the front of the queue instead of staying on hold.

Well I'm eating my words about Claimyr being a potential scam. After posting my skeptical comment, I was desperate enough to try it since I'd already wasted two full afternoons on hold with the IRS about my similar refund delay situation. IT ACTUALLY WORKS. They called me when an agent was available (took about 89 minutes - I got the text updates), and I was connected directly to someone in the Identity Theft department. The agent confirmed I had a fraudulent W-2 on my account (in my case from a casino I've never worked at) and walked me through exactly what forms to submit. Just got off the phone and already feel a million times better having a concrete action plan. Worth every penny to not waste another day on hold!

I see everyone suggesting the identity theft angle which is definitely possible, but there could be another explanation. The IRS sometimes makes major data entry errors. Last year they attached someone else's W-2 to my account by mistake - had a similar name but completely wrong SSN. Could be worth checking your Social Security statement online to see if there's any reported income from that employer there too. If it's not showing on your SS record but is on your IRS transcript, that strengthens the case that it's just an IRS error rather than actual identity theft.

Make sure you also check if the company actually exists! Google the company name, look them up on your state's business registry website, etc. I had a weird W-2 show up and spent weeks on the identity theft process only to discover the company was legitimate but had transposed some digits in the SSN they reported to the IRS. The fastest resolution came when I actually contacted the company's HR department directly. They were able to correct the error on their end and submit amended forms to the IRS.