Still waiting on my tax refund - 570 code and incorrect W-2 showing up
I filed my taxes at the end of January and still haven't received my refund. Getting worried, I checked the IRS website and noticed I have a 570 code on my account. Even more concerning, when I looked at my income transcript, there's a W-2 from a company I've never even heard of showing $78,500 of income! The really weird part is this W-2 has my maiden name that I haven't used in like 10 years, plus an address I moved away from almost 25 years ago! I'm completely freaking out right now. What steps should I take to fix this mess? Has anyone dealt with something similar before?
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Charlee Coleman
This definitely sounds like a case of identity theft or a major processing error. The 570 code means the IRS has frozen your refund while they investigate something on your return. Finding an unknown W-2 with that much income is a serious red flag. Here's what you should do: 1) Contact the IRS Identity Theft department immediately at 800-908-4490 2) File IRS Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) 3) Pull your credit reports to check for other suspicious activity 4) Consider placing a credit freeze with the major credit bureaus The combination of your old name and address suggests someone might have accessed your old information. The IRS will need to investigate this incorrect W-2 before processing your refund.
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Liv Park
•But wouldn't the IRS notice that the SSN doesn't match the married name? Like how did this even happen? And how long does resolving this usually take? I'm relying on that refund money for some car repairs.
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Charlee Coleman
•Sometimes the IRS computer systems initially accept returns with mismatched information if the SSN is valid, especially when old information is used that was once associated with that SSN. Their verification systems often catch these discrepancies later, which is likely why they applied the 570 code to freeze processing. Resolution timelines vary significantly with identity theft cases. Unfortunately, it typically takes at least 180 days (6 months) for the IRS to investigate and resolve these situations. It can sometimes take longer if the case is complex or during high-volume periods like now.
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Leeann Blackstein
I was in almost the exact same situation last year! There was a random W-2 on my transcript from some company in Arizona (never lived there) and my refund was stuck with that 570 code for months. I was getting nowhere with the regular IRS phone number. I ended up using https://taxr.ai to analyze my transcripts and they identified it as a clear case of identity theft. The report they generated gave me the exact steps to take, including which specific IRS forms to file. Was super helpful because the IRS agents I initially talked to kept giving me conflicting info.
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Ryder Greene
•Does that site actually work with IRS transcripts? Like can it really spot issues the IRS missed? I've got a weird code on mine too but wasn't sure what to do about it.
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Carmella Fromis
•I'm hesitant to use any third-party service with my tax info. How do you know they're legit and not just another way for scammers to get your personal info? No offense but these days you can't be too careful.
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Leeann Blackstein
•Yes, it specifically analyzes IRS transcripts and tax documents. It uses AI to identify patterns and issues, and it found problems that three different IRS representatives missed on my account. It flagged the suspicious W-2 immediately and noted that the employer EIN didn't match IRS records. Regarding security concerns, I totally understand being careful. They don't store your documents after analysis and use bank-level encryption. I was skeptical too but my tax advisor actually recommended them. The report they generated helped me file the right paperwork with the IRS the first time instead of going back and forth for months.
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Carmella Fromis
Update on my situation - I actually tried using https://taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here and it was surprisingly helpful. The system immediately flagged the fraudulent W-2 on my account and identified it as a likely identity theft case. The report even showed that the employer identification number (EIN) on the fake W-2 didn't match registered business records. What convinced me was that they provided a complete step-by-step resolution plan tailored to my situation - including which IRS forms to file and which department to contact. Saved me hours of research and confusion. Already filed the identity theft affidavit and the IRS has opened a case. They said my refund should be processed once they remove the fraudulent W-2.
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Theodore Nelson
If you're having trouble reaching the IRS about this (which is likely - their phone lines are swamped), I recommend using https://claimyr.com to get through to them. I was in a similar situation with identity theft last year, and I spent WEEKS trying to talk to an actual human at the IRS. Check out how it works: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c Claimyr basically waits on hold with the IRS for you, then calls you once they have an agent on the line. I was skeptical but desperate after being hung up on by the automated system for days. They got me through to an identity theft specialist who was able to remove the fraudulent information from my account and release my refund.
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AaliyahAli
•Wait, how does this actually work? Do they somehow have a special line to the IRS or something? The IRS keeps disconnecting me after 2 hours of waiting.
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Ellie Simpson
•This sounds like a scam. Nobody can "skip the line" with the IRS. They probably just take your money and call the same number you would. I'll stick with dialing myself and saving whatever they charge.
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Theodore Nelson
•They don't have a special line - they use automated systems to handle the hold process for you. Basically, they call the IRS and navigate the phone tree, then wait on hold so you don't have to. When they reach a human agent, they call you and connect you to that agent. It's like having someone else do the waiting for you. They can't skip any lines, but their system is designed to keep redialing if disconnected and to navigate the complex IRS phone system efficiently. I was extremely skeptical too, but after being hung up on by the IRS automated system 7 times (the system literally says "due to high call volume, we cannot take your call"), I was desperate enough to try. Was honestly surprised when I got a call back with an agent on the line.
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Ellie Simpson
I need to eat my words from earlier. After another week of failing to get through to the IRS myself (kept getting disconnected after waiting 1+ hours), I broke down and tried Claimyr. Got connected to an actual IRS identity theft specialist within 2 hours. The agent confirmed it was fraud and put a note on my account. They're processing my case now and said my refund should be released once they finish their investigation (approximately 60 days). She also suggested I contact the Social Security Administration to make sure my records are updated with my current name and address to prevent this from happening again. If you're dealing with identity theft and the 570 code, definitely don't wait. You need to speak to someone at the IRS Identity Theft department ASAP, and whatever gets you through to them is worth it. This has been a nightmare but at least now it's being resolved.
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Arjun Kurti
I had something similar happen and discovered it was my ex-husband using my old identity info. Does anyone in your life have access to your previous information and might hold a grudge? Sometimes it's not random identity theft but someone who knows you.
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Sara Hellquiem
•Omg I never thought of that!! My ex's brother works at a tax preparation place and always seemed shady. We didn't part on good terms at all. How did you find out it was your ex? Did the IRS tell you or did you have to figure it out yourself?
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Arjun Kurti
•The IRS wouldn't tell me specifically who did it, but they did confirm the fraudulent W-2 came from a company where my ex's new girlfriend worked in payroll. I pieced it together after that. In my case, I had to file a police report and the detective was able to track the origin of the fake W-2 submission. If your ex's brother works in tax preparation, that's definitely suspicious. He would have access to the systems needed to generate a fake W-2. When you talk to the IRS, make sure to mention this possibility - it might speed up their investigation if they have a potential lead.
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Raúl Mora
FYI - The 570 code is always followed by another code that gives more specific information. Check your account transcript again (not just your income transcript) and look for codes like 971 (notice issued) or 420 (examination/audit). Those will tell you more about why your refund is being held.
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Margot Quinn
•This is good advice. My transcript had both 570 and 971 codes, and the 971 was because they sent me a letter explaining the issue. Check your mail carefully - they might have already sent you something explaining the hold.
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Sara Hellquiem
•You're right! I just checked again and I do have a 971 code too that I missed before. It's dated for next week so I guess they're sending me a letter. Good to know I should watch for that. Thanks for pointing this out!
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