Still waiting on my tax refund - IRS shows a 570 code and unknown W-2

I'm really frustrated and confused right now. Filed my taxes back in late January and still haven't gotten my refund. When I checked the "Where's My Refund" tool on the IRS website, I noticed there's a 570 code on my account. Even worse, I checked my wage and income transcript and there's a W-2 from some company I've NEVER worked for showing $78,000 in income! The really creepy part is that this W-2 has my maiden name on it that I haven't used since getting married almost 10 years ago, plus it shows an address where I haven't lived in over 20 years! Has anyone dealt with something like this before? What am I supposed to do now? Should I call the IRS? File some kind of identity theft form? I'm worried someone stole my info and I don't know what steps to take to fix this mess and get my actual refund.

0 coins

19 comments

Gianna Scott

•8M

This sounds like a clear case of potential identity theft. The 570 code means the IRS has frozen your refund while they investigate a discrepancy - in this case, that mystery W-2. When someone's information appears on a W-2 from a company they never worked for, especially with outdated personal info, it's a strong indicator someone else is using your identity. Here's what you should do: First, contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490. You'll also need to complete and submit Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit). Make sure to explain exactly what you told us - that you found a W-2 from an unknown employer with your old name and ancient address. You should also file a report with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov and consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports. The IRS will investigate, but these cases can take several months to resolve before you receive your legitimate refund.

0 coins

Gianna Scott

•8M

You can either submit Form 14039 online through the IRS Identity Theft Victim Assistance (IDTVA) organization or print and mail it. The online method is faster. If you choose to mail it, include copies (never originals) of your identification documents. Definitely contact the Identity Protection Specialized Unit directly rather than the general IRS line. They're specifically trained to handle these cases and can guide you through the process much more efficiently than the regular customer service representatives. Make sure to document all communications and keep copies of everything you submit.

0 coins

Alfredo Lugo

•8M

I went through something similar last year with an incorrect W-2 showing up on my transcript. After weeks of getting nowhere with the IRS phone lines, I found this service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that really helped me sort it out. They analyzed my transcript, identified the exact discrepancy, and guided me through the proper documentation to submit. The best part was they could tell me exactly why my refund was held up and what I needed to do to fix it. Saved me so much stress compared to waiting on hold for hours only to get disconnected or told to call back later. They even helped me draft the letter explaining the situation to the IRS.

0 coins

Alfredo Lugo

•8M

I got my refund about 3 weeks after submitting all the documentation they recommended. They don't communicate with the IRS for you - instead they analyze your transcripts and explain exactly what's happening and what forms/documentation you need. They do charge for their service, but for me it was worth it because I was completely lost trying to understand my transcript codes and what they meant. The IRS website is helpful for basic stuff, but when you have complex issues like identity theft or misreported income, the general information isn't always enough. They specialize in interpreting transcript codes and explaining what's actually happening with your specific tax situation.

0 coins

Sydney Torres

•8M

Just wanted to update - I ended up trying taxr.ai after seeing the recommendation here. My situation was different (had a 971 code along with a mystery 1099), but I was super impressed with how they broke everything down. I could actually understand what was happening with my return! They identified that someone had filed a 1099-MISC using my SSN, which was triggering an income verification delay. The report they generated laid out exactly what forms I needed to submit and what information to include. Just got notification that my refund is finally being processed after being stuck for 3 months! Seriously grateful for the recommendation - would never have figured this out on my own and the IRS phone system was completely useless.

0 coins

Caleb Bell

•8M

I had a similar identity theft issue in 2023 and spent MONTHS trying to reach someone at the IRS. Their phone lines are absolutely swamped. After 20+ failed attempts and hours of waiting, I tried Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and they got me through to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes. The agent confirmed it was identity theft and walked me through the exact steps to resolve it. You can see how the service works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. I was honestly shocked it worked because I was ready to give up after all those failed attempts calling directly. The IRS agent I spoke with was actually super helpful once I finally got through - they put notes on my account immediately and told me exactly what forms to file.

0 coins

Caleb Bell

•8M

It's not a special connection - they basically use technology to navigate the IRS phone system and wait on hold for you. When they reach an agent, they call you and connect you directly. It's like having someone sit and redial/wait on hold so you don't have to waste your whole day. I was skeptical too, believe me. I tried calling the IRS myself at least 20 times over several weeks and could never get through. The phone system would either tell me call volume was too high or I'd wait on hold for hours only to get disconnected. With Claimyr, I just went about my day and got a call when they had an agent on the line. No magic solution to the broken system, just a way to avoid the frustration of dealing with it yourself.

0 coins

Kaitlyn Jenkins

•8M

I need to admit I was wrong about Claimyr. After my skeptical comment, I decided to try it myself since I've been trying to reach the IRS about an amended return issue for over a month with no luck. It actually worked! I got a call back in about 40 minutes with an IRS agent on the line. The agent was able to see the identity theft indicators on my account and immediately put a note in my file and expedited my affidavit processing. For what it's worth, the agent told me they're currently swamped with identity theft cases and suggested filing a police report too, as that can help speed up the verification process. Sorry for being so negative before - just wanted to update with my experience.

0 coins

Rhett Bowman

•8M

If you want a free alternative, try calling the IRS exactly at 7:00 AM Eastern when they open. That's what worked for me after weeks of failed attempts. Also, the Taxpayer Advocate Service can sometimes help with identity theft cases if you're experiencing financial hardship because of the delayed refund. And definitely check your credit reports at annualcreditreport.com to see if there are other accounts opened in your name. If someone's using your SSN for employment, they might be using it for other things too.

0 coins

Rhett Bowman

•8M

Yes, the Taxpayer Advocate Service typically requires some documentation of hardship - things like utility disconnection notices, eviction threats, or proof that you can't meet basic living expenses without the refund. If you have any documentation showing financial strain, gather that before contacting them. They've been overwhelmed lately too, but they're often more accessible than the main IRS lines. Their criteria for accepting cases have gotten stricter because of their high case volume, but identity theft cases with hardship are generally prioritized.

0 coins