Understanding the 570 Code on Your IRS Transcript: What It Really Means

The 570 code is basically a pause button for your refund. It means the IRS needs to take a closer look at something before sending your money. Don't panic though - in most cases it resolves automatically without you needing to do anything. Look for a 571 code to appear later - that means they've released the hold. Check your transcript every few days for updates.

I got the 570 code exactly 23 days ago on my transcript. My refund was exactly $5,423 which I need for a down payment due in 14 days. After 18 days of waiting, the code finally changed to 571 and the refund hit my account 5 days later. The wait was excruciating but it resolved without me doing anything. If you have a 570, check for an accompanying 971 code - mine had both on the same date (March 12, 2024).

I believe we should approach the 570 code with some caution. In my case, it appeared on February 28th, and while many say it resolves automatically, mine required action. After about three weeks, I received a letter requesting verification of my reported income. The process might be different for everyone, and it may be prudent to prepare for possible additional steps rather than assuming it will resolve on its own.

The 570 code is like being put in the IRS waiting room compared to being completely ignored like what happened with my 2022 return. At least with a 570, they acknowledge you exist! After seeing the code, I tried calling the IRS for 3 straight days - couldn't get through using their regular number. Compared to that nightmare, using Claimyr (https://www.claimyr.com) was a game-changer. Got connected to an agent in about 15 minutes who confirmed my 570 was just a random review and nothing to worry about. My hold was released two days later. Worth every penny compared to wasting hours on hold.

I've dealt with the 570 code twice in the past three years. Here's what I learned: • It ALWAYS means your refund is on hold temporarily • It DOESN'T always mean there's a problem with your return • It TYPICALLY resolves within 21 days • It USUALLY appears with a 971 code (notice issued) • It MUST be replaced by a 571 code before your refund processes My first experience took 14 days to resolve. My second took 32 days and required identity verification. The key is patience - checking your transcript daily just increases anxiety.

According to the IRS's own Internal Revenue Manual (which you can find at irs.gov/irm), the 570 code indicates 'additional account action pending.' The IRS website doesn't provide much more detail, but several tax professionals on the r/tax subreddit have confirmed it's generally used when the IRS needs to review something before releasing your refund. In most cases, it's resolved within 2-4 weeks, but I'd recommend monitoring your Account Transcript at least weekly to check for updates or new codes.

Is anyone else concerned about how arbitrary these 570 holds seem to be? I've had perfectly normal returns get flagged while friends with complicated situations sail through without issues. And why is the IRS so secretive about what specifically triggered the review? Wouldn't it be more efficient to just tell taxpayers exactly what they're reviewing instead of making us wait anxiously for weeks? My 570 code appeared last month and I'm still waiting with no explanation.

Per IRS Publication 5192, Transaction Code 570 indicates a refund hold pending additional review. This is authorized under IRC §6402(g) which gives the IRS authority to withhold refunds while verifying return accuracy. In most cases, this is temporary and resolves automatically. The 570 code is typically accompanied by a freeze code that identifies the specific program area reviewing your return. Common freeze codes include: - F- (Fraud Detection) - Q- (Examination/Audit) - C- (Criminal Investigation) - R- (Revenue Protection) You can identify which program is reviewing your return by looking at the freeze code on your transcript. Once the review is complete, a TC 571 will appear, releasing the hold.