Tracking My Amended Return: 570 Code Since February, Now 971 and 977 Codes Appeared

Well, welcome to the IRS rollercoaster of fun! 😂 Those codes actually tell a pretty clear story. The 570 is a freeze on your account (not as scary as it sounds). The 971 just means they're sending you a letter about something - could be good, could be bad, could be them asking what toppings you want on your tax refund pizza. The 977 is actually good news - it means they've acknowledged your amended return and are processing it. Here's the reality check though: amended returns take FOREVER. Like, watching-paint-dry-while-reading-the-tax-code forever. We're talking 16+ weeks in many cases, and that's when things are running smoothly.

Did you check your account transcript? Not just return transcript. Account shows more details. Sometimes letters are just confirmations. Amended returns take longer than regular. Usually 16-20 weeks. Could be faster though. Have you received any mail yet?

I went through exactly this last year. The 570 code freezes your account while they review something. The 971 means they're sending you a notice - in my case it was just letting me know they were adjusting my refund amount based on my amended return. The 977 is confirmation they're processing your amended return. The typical timeline from my experience and helping others: - 570 appears: Account frozen for review - 971 appears: Notice generated (check your mailbox in 7-10 days) - 977 appears: Amended return processing started - 4-8 weeks later: You'll likely see a 290 code (additional tax assessed) or 291 (reduction to tax) - 1-2 weeks after that: You'll see an 846 code with your refund date So from the 977 code, you're looking at approximately 5-10 weeks until completion if everything goes smoothly.

Tried calling the IRS lately? It's literally impossible rn. I spent 4 hrs last week just to get disconnected. Then found Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) and got thru in ~25 mins. The agent confirmed my amended return was in the queue but said 977 code means 16-20 wk processing time. They'll call u if they need docs, otherwise just gotta wait. The 971 notice will prob just confirm they got ur amended return. Def worth the call just to confirm everything's on track tho.

Think of your amended return like a flight with multiple connections. Your original return (570 code) was grounded due to weather. Now you've booked a new route (977 code), and they've sent you a confirmation email (971 code). I would caution against expecting quick movement here. Amended returns are like ocean liners rather than speedboats - they take wide, slow turns. The IRS is currently processing amended returns from January, so yours is still fairly new in their queue. One approach I haven't seen mentioned: check if your original return had any issues that might carry over. Sometimes the amended return gets caught in the same verification process as the original.

You know what's frustrating about the IRS? They use these codes like everyone's supposed to be a tax expert. Why can't they just use plain English? Anyway, here's what's actually happening: The 570 is a temporary hold they put on your account. When you filed the amended return, they acknowledged it (977) and are sending you a letter (971) to let you know they're working on it. The letter will likely just say "we got your amended return, we're working on it, please wait 16 weeks before contacting us." Very helpful, right? The standard timeline for amended returns is 16-20 weeks, but I've seen them processed in as little as 8 weeks when there are no complications. The key is whether your amendment is simple (like fixing a math error) or complex (like changing filing status or adding dependents).

I'm in almost the exact same situation! My 570 code appeared on February 22nd, and I filed my amended return on April 8th. The 971 and 977 codes showed up exactly 14 days later. I called and waited on hold for 97 minutes to speak with someone who told me my amended return would take exactly 20 weeks to process from the April date. What concerns me is that I read the 570 code can sometimes indicate an audit review. Did anyone mention that possibility to you? I'm worried that my amended return might get extra scrutiny because of the existing 570 hold. The agent wouldn't tell me what the 971 notice contains, just that I should wait for it in the mail within 15 days.

The 570 code doesn't automatically mean audit - it's more like a general "hold" while they review something. In your case, since you filed an amended return, it's likely just part of their standard process for reconciling the original vs amended filing. From what I've seen in this community, the 971 notice for amended returns is usually pretty standard - just confirmation they received it and are processing. The 20-week timeline the agent gave you is conservative but realistic. Some people get lucky and see movement sooner, especially if the amendment is straightforward. One thing that might help ease your mind: check if your "as of" date on your transcript has updated recently. If it's moving forward, that's usually a good sign that your account is actively being worked on rather than sitting in some audit queue. Keep us posted on what the 971 notice says when you get it! This thread is becoming a great resource for people tracking similar situations.

I've been through this exact scenario twice in the past three years, and I can offer some perspective on what you're seeing. The sequence you're describing is actually quite standard for amended returns. The 570 code from February essentially put a freeze on your account - this happens when the IRS needs to review something before processing your refund. When you filed your amended return in April, that likely triggered the 971 (notice) and 977 (amended return processing) codes you're seeing now. To answer your specific questions: 1. Yes, this is normal progression. The 570 → 971/977 sequence is pretty typical. 2. From the 977 code appearance, you're looking at roughly 12-16 weeks for completion, so potentially late July/early August if everything goes smoothly. 3. For international filers with amended returns, the Practitioner Priority Service line (1-877-829-5500) sometimes has shorter wait times, though you'll still need to verify your identity thoroughly. One thing to watch for: your transcript should show an updated "as of" date every few weeks if your return is actively being processed. If that date stops moving forward, that's when you might want to call for a status update. The 971 notice you'll receive in the mail will likely just confirm they're processing your amended return - nothing dramatic, just bureaucratic communication.

I'm currently going through something very similar and this thread has been incredibly reassuring! Filed my original return in late January, got the dreaded 570 code in early March, and just filed my amended return two weeks ago. Haven't seen the 971/977 codes yet but now I know what to look for. One thing I wanted to add that might help others - I found that checking my transcript on Wednesdays seems to be when updates most commonly appear. Not sure if that's just coincidence or if the IRS has certain update cycles, but it's been consistent in my experience. Also, for anyone stressed about the timeline, I keep reminding myself that "no news is good news" with the IRS. If there were serious issues, they'd contact us quickly. The slow processing is actually a sign that things are moving through normal channels. @Romeo Quest - thanks for starting this thread. It's become a great resource for those of us navigating this process!

As someone who works in tax preparation, I can confirm that the sequence you're seeing is very typical for amended returns. The 570 code essentially puts your account on hold while they sort things out, and the appearance of 971/977 codes indicates they've acknowledged your amended return and begun processing. One thing I always tell clients in your situation: the IRS processes amended returns in the order they receive them, but they also batch them by complexity. Simple amendments (like correcting W-2 information) move faster than complex ones (like changing filing status or business deductions). For international filers specifically, I'd recommend keeping copies of everything and being prepared for potential requests for additional documentation. The IRS sometimes needs extra verification for overseas addresses or foreign income reporting. The good news is that once you see those 971/977 codes, you're officially in their system and moving through the queue. The 16-20 week timeline others have mentioned is accurate, though I've seen some completed in 10-12 weeks when everything aligns properly. Keep monitoring that "as of" date on your transcript - it's your best indicator that work is actually happening behind the scenes!

I'm dealing with a very similar timeline to yours! Filed my original return in late January, saw the 570 code pop up in mid-February, and just got my amended return accepted about 10 days ago. Still waiting for the 971/977 codes to appear, but this thread has been incredibly educational about what to expect. What I find most helpful from reading everyone's experiences is that this seems to be a pretty standard process, even though it feels anything but standard when you're going through it for the first time. The codes look scary but they're really just the IRS's way of tracking progress through their system. I've been checking my transcript obsessively, but after reading @Freya Andersen's tip about Wednesday updates, I'm going to try to limit myself to once-weekly checks to preserve my sanity! 😅 For anyone else in this boat - it sounds like patience is really the only option here, but at least we know we're not alone in dealing with these long processing times. The 12-20 week timeline everyone's mentioning actually seems pretty consistent across different experiences. Thanks to everyone sharing their stories - it's making this whole process much less stressful knowing what's normal!

This thread has become an amazing resource! I'm currently in week 6 since my 977 code appeared, and reading everyone's experiences here has really helped manage my expectations about the timeline. One thing I wanted to add from my research: if you're checking your transcript and see a cycle code ending in "05" (like 20240505), that typically means your return is being processed in the current cycle. If it ends in "02" or "03", it might indicate additional review time needed. Also, I've found that calling the IRS early in the morning (right when they open at 7 AM) gives you the best chance of getting through without ridiculous hold times. The agents have been pretty helpful in confirming that my return is moving through normal processing channels. For those just starting this journey - the waiting is brutal, but everyone's timeline estimates here have been pretty accurate in my experience. The 971 notice really is just bureaucratic confirmation, nothing to stress about. Hang in there! 💪