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Kiara Greene

Weird codes on my IRS transcript after filing on 2/15 - should I be worried?

I e-filed my taxes through TurboTax on Feb 15th and the IRS accepted my return the next day. I was expecting a refund of around $3,740 and it was supposed to come within 21 days according to the IRS website. I checked the Where's My Refund tool and it still says processing. So I decided to check my transcript and I'm seeing some codes that I don't understand. There's a code 570 with a date of 4/1/24 and another code 971 with the same date. No refund date has been issued yet. I don't understand what these codes mean - is my refund going to be delayed? Has anyone else seen this pattern on their transcript? This is making me nervous since I was counting on this money for some bills.

Evelyn Kelly

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Those codes typically indicate there's a hold on your account. Code 570 is a freeze on your refund, and 971 means they're sending you a notice. Usually these appear together when they need additional information or they found a discrepancy in your return. Check your mail carefully in the next couple weeks - you should get a letter explaining what they need. It could be identity verification, missing information, or they might have adjusted your refund amount. The good news is that once you respond to whatever they're asking for, your refund usually processes fairly quickly afterward. Don't panic yet, but be prepared to provide additional documentation if requested.

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Kiara Greene

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thank you for the detailed explanation. Do you know how long it usually takes to get the letter after those codes appear?

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Evelyn Kelly

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The letter is usually dated the same as the 971 code date (4/1 in your case), but it might take 5-7 days to actually arrive in your mailbox. So expect something by the first week of April.

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Paloma Clark

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Had the exact same thing happen to me last year. Turned out they needed to verify my identity. Once I did that (took about 15 minutes online), my refund was released within 10 days.

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Heather Tyson

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Hey, just want to share something that helped me understand all those crazy transcript codes. I was so confused trying to decipher all those numbers and dates until I found this tool called taxr.ai - it literally translated my transcript into plain English and explained exactly what was happening with my return. Saved me hours of googling random IRS codes and stressing about what was going on. Honestly it's the most helpful thing I've found for dealing with tax return issues! Here's the link if you want to check it out: https://taxr.ai

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Raul Neal

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Sounds interesting. How exactly does it work? Does it just read your transcript or does it do more?

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Heather Tyson

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It analyzes your entire transcript and explains every code, date, and amount. It also tells you what steps you need to take next and estimates when you might get your refund. Way better than trying to piece everything together yourself!

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Raul Neal

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OMG I just tried this and it's AMAZING! 💯 It showed me exactly why my refund was delayed and what I needed to do. Everyone dealing with the IRS should be using this tool - seriously life changing!

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Jenna Sloan

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After struggling for weeks with a similar issue, I finally got through to the IRS using this calling service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They got me a callback from an actual IRS agent who explained everything about those codes on my transcript. The agent was able to tell me exactly why my refund was being held and what I needed to do next. Best part was not having to sit on hold for hours! Got my refund released just a few days after talking to them.

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How does that even work? The IRS never answers their phones 🙄

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Jenna Sloan

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They basically navigate the IRS phone system for you and secure a spot in the callback queue. Then the IRS calls YOU directly. Wayyy better than trying to call yourself and getting disconnected after waiting on hold forever.

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Sasha Reese

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does it cost money? seems too good to be true tbh

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Jenna Sloan

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Yeah there is a fee but considering I was about to lose my mind trying to get through to someone at the IRS, it was worth every penny. Got my $4200 refund released after one phone call so it basically paid for itself many times over.

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those codes usually mean theres gonna be a delay. i had the same thing happen and ended up waiting almost 3 months for my refund last year. the IRS is so backed up its ridiculous.

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Noland Curtis

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Check if you have any past due debts like child support, student loans, or state taxes. Sometimes the codes appear because they're going to offset (reduce) your refund to pay those debts. Happened to me - had no idea my state taxes from 2 years ago weren't fully paid and they took it out of my federal refund.

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Kiara Greene

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I don't think I have any debts like that, but I'll double check. How long did it take them to process your refund after those codes showed up?

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Noland Curtis

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About 3 weeks total. They sent a letter explaining the offset about a week after the codes appeared, then processed the adjusted refund about 2 weeks after that.

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Diez Ellis

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Just a heads up, if you claimed EITC or ACTC the IRS holds those refunds until mid-February by law, and then they get extra scrutiny sometimes. If you claimed either of those credits, that might be what's causing the hold.

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Kiara Greene

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I did claim EITC this year. But I thought since I filed in february and its now march I would be past that holding period?

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Diez Ellis

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The mid-Feb release is just the earliest they can start processing those returns. After that, many EITC returns get selected for additional review, which is probably what's happening with those codes. They randomly select a percentage of EITC returns for verification.

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the irs is a joke. i've been dealing with them for 2 YEARS trying to get my 2021 refund. every time I call they tell me something different. good luck 🤡

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Abby Marshall

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I literally just went through this exact situation! First, don't panic. The 570 is a temporary hold while they review something. In my case, they had adjusted my refund amount (I made a math error). The 971 notice came about a week later explaining the change. My refund was processed about 10 days after that with the new amount.

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Kiara Greene

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That's reassuring to hear! Did your transcript update with new codes before you got your refund?

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Abby Marshall

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Yes, my transcript updated with a 571 code (which releases the 570 hold) and an 846 code (refund issued) with a date about a week later. Your transcript usually updates on Friday mornings, so check it weekly.

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Sadie Benitez

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Have you tried calling the IRS directly? 800-829-1040 is the number, but good luck getting through 😂 I spent 3 hours on hold last week and then got disconnected.

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Drew Hathaway

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Pro tip: call right when they open (7am local time) and select the option for Spanish, then press 1 for English when the next menu comes up. Often gets you through faster because fewer people use that route.

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Laila Prince

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I tried calling over 20 times last month and never got through. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and had an IRS agent call ME back within 2 hours. Totally worth it considering all the time I wasted trying to call myself.

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Sadie Benitez

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oh really? might have to try that next time cuz this is ridiculous

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Isabel Vega

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The IRS transcript system is deliberately designed to be confusing af. After trying to understand all those weird codes and dates for hours, I finally used taxr.ai to just explain everything to me in plain English. The tool showed me exactly what was happening with my return and when I could expect my refund. Honestly revolutionized my tax experience this year! https://taxr.ai

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Did you actually have to upload your transcript to this site or how does it work? little nervous about sharing my tax info

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Isabel Vega

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It just analyzes what's on your transcript - like having a tax pro look at it but way faster and more detailed. Game changer especially with how understaffed the IRS is these days.

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Marilyn Dixon

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Did you receive any letters from the IRS yet? I had similar codes and got a CP05 notice saying they were reviewing my return. Took about 60 days but eventually got my refund without having to provide any additional info.

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Look at the cycle code at the top of your transcript (should be something like 20241105). If the 5th digit is a '5', that means your account updates on Friday mornings. If it's a '4', it updates on Thursday mornings. Check your transcript after it updates and you might see new codes that give you more info.

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Kiara Greene

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Mine has a 5 in that position so I guess I'll check again this Friday. Thanks for the tip!

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TommyKapitz

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This happened to me and it turned out someone had stolen my identity and filed a fraudulent return 😬 not to freak you out but keep an eye out for a letter asking you to verify your identity through ID.me

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Kiara Greene

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omg that sounds like a nightmare. how long did it take to resolve?

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TommyKapitz

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About 3 months total. Had to verify my identity online and then file an identity theft affidavit (Form 14039). It was a hassle but eventually got sorted out. Hope that's not your situation!

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sometimes those codes appear and then resolve themselves without you having to do anything. happened to me in 2022 and my refund randomly showed up in my account about 4 weeks after filing even though the transcript still showed those holds.

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