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Will 570/971 codes delay $5,200 refund after returning to filing taxes following 4-year gap?

I just wanted to check if anyone who has the 570 (additional account action pending) and 971 (notice issued) codes ended up getting their refund if they hadn't filed taxes for a few years? My partner just updated to these codes after we submitted his return about 3 weeks ago. He hasn't filed for the past 4 years (2021-2023) but finally did for 2024. I've been checking the Where's My Refund tool constantly and I'm including a screenshot of what it shows. Currently it just says "We have received your tax return and it is being processed." All three checkboxes (Received, Approved, Sent) show that only the "Received" part is completed, with question marks still showing for the "Approved" and "Sent" statuses. The WMR tool isn't showing any approval or send date yet. Under "Your personal tax information" it confirms: Tax Year: 2024 Filing Status: Head of household Expected refund amount: $5,200 His expected refund is substantial at around $5,200 and he filed as head of household. I'm getting concerned because of these 570 and 971 codes appearing. Is this normal for someone who hasn't filed for several years and is now getting back into the system? Will these codes delay his refund significantly? Any experiences from people with similar situations would be really helpful. Has anyone with these codes still received their refund when returning to filing after a multi-year gap?

Those codes typically indicate the IRS is reviewing something on the return. The 570 freezes your refund temporarily while they look into whatever triggered their system. The 971 means they're sending you a notice about it. Since your partner hasn't filed for several years, this is pretty normal - the IRS often gives extra scrutiny to returns after gaps in filing. Check the account transcript for a cycle date next to those codes. Usually, if the review is simple, they'll release the hold within 2-3 weeks. If there's an actual issue they need to resolve, it might take 60-120 days. Watch your mail for the notice - it'll explain what they need. The good news is that having both codes together often means just a simple verification rather than a full audit. People in similar situations usually do get their refunds, just with some delay.

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Thank you for the detailed explanation! We'll keep an eye out for that notice. Do you think its the missing years that triggered this or something else?

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Almost certainly the gap in filing years. The IRS has automated systems that flag returns that don't match their expected patterns, and a return after multiple missing years is a big red flag. They just want to make sure everything is legitimate.

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this is spot on. Had the same situation last year after not filing for 3 yrs. Got my refund after about 6 weeks total. Just be patient 👍

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I was in the exact same boat earlier this year. Hadn't filed since 2020 and then filed my 2024 taxes in April. Got those same codes and was freaking out trying to figure out what was happening. I tried researching online but got nowhere until I used taxr.ai - it actually explained my transcript, showed me exactly what those codes meant for MY specific situation and predicted when I'd get my refund. Super accurate too - got my money exactly when it said I would! Way better than trying to guess what's happening based on random forum posts. https://taxr.ai saved me so much stress!

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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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It analyzes your entire transcript and explains everything in plain English. Shows all your codes, what they mean, and gives you a timeline. It can even predict if you'll get interest paid on your refund. Saved me hours of googling and stressing about what was happening with my return.

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OMG THANK YOU!! I just tried it and finally understand whats happening with my taxes. Been pulling my hair out for weeks and the IRS phone lines are useless. This tool is absolutely worth it - showed me exactly when to expect my refund and explained why there was a delay. Cannot recommend enough!!

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Is it safe tho? Don't want to give my info to some random site...

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I used it too and it was super helpful. Shows you what all those weird codes and dates actually mean. My refund came exactly when it predicted.

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After waiting 6 weeks with the same codes and getting nowhere with the regular IRS number, I used a calling app called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual human at the IRS within an hour. The agent explained that my return was just in a review queue because I hadn't filed for a few years, but there weren't any actual problems. They released my refund right there on the call! Best money I've spent in a long time considering I was waiting on a $4k refund.

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does that actually work? the IRS phone lines are impossible 🤔

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Yes! I was super skeptical too but I was desperate after trying to call myself for weeks. It actually connects you with the next available IRS agent - took about 45 minutes for me but way better than the hours I wasted trying on my own. They just call you when they get through.

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Used the same service last month after waiting on hold for literally 2 hours and getting disconnected. Had an agent on the phone within 30 mins and they helped clear up my 570 hold. My refund was deposited 4 days later!

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Gonna try this! I'm tired of the waiting game and not knowing what's going on. Thanks for the tip.

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I had the same thing happen when i filed after skipping 3 years. Those codes showed up and 3 weeks later i got a letter asking me to verify identity. Did that online and my refund was approved 10 days later. Just keep checking your mail.

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Yeah thats totally normal. I had 570/971 after not filing for 2 years. Got a letter asking me to call and verify some info, did that, and my refund was released about 2 weeks later. Since your partner claimed head of household they might want verification of that too.

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That makes sense. Did you have to provide any documentation when they called?

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Nope, just had to answer some identity verification questions over the phone (previous addresses, loan amounts, etc) and then they asked a few questions about why I hadn't filed and confirmed some details on my current return.

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the IRS is so backed up right now they're putting holds on everything. i got the same codes and waited TWELVE WEEKS before getting my money. no explanation, no letter, nothing. just a random deposit one day. the whole system is garbage.

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I feel your pain! Same thing happened to me last year. The IRS is a joke 🤡

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Not everyone has the same experience. My 570/971 resolved in 3 weeks. Just depends on your situation.

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ok good 4 u i guess 🙄 plenty of us are waiting months with no info

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My husband had the exact situation - hadn't filed for 3 years, then filed and got those codes. Turned out he had an identity verification hold. We couldn't figure it out until we used taxr.ai which showed us exactly what was happening. After verifying his identity, the refund was released in about a week. That site was seriously a game changer for understanding what was actually going on instead of just guessing. https://taxr.ai

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Is that service really worth it? Been trying to decode my transcript for weeks and getting nowhere.

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100% worth it. We were totally confused before using it. It showed us exactly what each code meant, what actions we needed to take, and when we could expect our refund. Saved us from having to call the IRS which is basically impossible anyway.

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Just tried it and wow! Finally understand what's happening with my return. Apparently I have an income verification review that's estimated to complete in 2 weeks. No wonder the WMR tool wasn't helpful. Thanks for the recommendation!

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This happened to me! I hadnt filed for like 5 years lol. Got those exact codes, waited about 8 weeks total from filing to refund. They just want to make sure everything is legit since you've been off the radar for awhile. Don't stress about it.

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My sister had this EXACT situation. Found out he could call the IRS directly using Claimyr.com after waiting for weeks with those codes. Got through to an agent who told her it was just flagged for non-filing in previous years but there wasn't actually a problem. They released the hold while she was on the phone! Money hit her account 4 days later. Talking to an actual human at the IRS made all the difference.

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did she have to send in any documents or anything?

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Nope! It was just a soft review because of the gap in filing. The agent confirmed her identity over the phone and released the hold right then. No additional docs needed in her case.

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Yep, I dealt with this exact situation last year. the 570/971 combo is usually an indication that the IRS needs more information or verification. In my case, it was because I hadn't filed for a few years and they sent me a letter asking me to verify my identity through id.me. The whole process added about 45 days to my refund timeline, but I did get the full amount eventually.

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The ID verification is such a pain. Took me 3 tries to get through it last year.

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Yeah it was annoying but at least once I did it the refund came pretty quickly after that. Just make sure you have all your documents ready before you start the process.

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After sitting with 570/971 codes for almost 2 months and getting zero help calling the normal IRS number (always busy!), I finally gave up and tried using claimyr.com to reach an agent. Got a callback within an hour and spoke to someone who explained I just needed to verify some info. My refund was processed the next day after 9 weeks of waiting! If you're seeing those codes, definitely try getting through to someone directly.

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how much did that cost? worth it?

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Don't remember the exact amount but considering I was waiting on a $7k refund, it was 100% worth every penny. I had already wasted hours trying to call on my own and getting nowhere. The peace of mind alone was worth it.

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i was in this EXACT situation early this year. didnt file 2020-2023, then filed 2024 in february. got those codes mid-march, received a letter asking me to verify my identity beginning of april, verified online, and got my refund direct deposited may 5th. so about 10-11 weeks total from filing to refund.

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From what I've seen working in tax preparation, the 570/971 combo after years of not filing usually means one of three things: identity verification, income verification, or dependent verification (especially with Head of Household status). The refund hold is standard procedure - most of my clients in this situation do get their full refund, it just takes 6-12 weeks instead of the normal 2-3 weeks.

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Thanks for the insight! That makes me feel better. We'll just be patient and watch for the notice.

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Identical situation last year. Got those codes and waited for WEEKS. Finally got smart and used taxr.ai to actually understand my transcript (seriously, why does the IRS make this stuff so impossible to read?). Turned out I had a simple review that was almost complete. Got my refund about 10 days after using the service. Would have saved myself a ton of stress if I'd just used that from the beginning! https://taxr.ai

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These websites can actually decode that IRS transcript mumbo jumbo? I've been staring at mine for days trying to figure it out.

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YES! It translates all the codes and dates into plain english and gives you a timeline. Mine showed exactly what was happening and when to expect my refund. Was spot on too - got my deposit exactly when it predicted.

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You just changed my life. Just used it and discovered my refund is actually on the way next week! The IRS website is complete trash compared to this. Thank you!!!

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those codes are the WORST. had them 4 months straight last year and literally no one could tell me why. couldn't get thru on the phone. ended up using claimyr.com after someone here recommended it. got me thru to an actual person who fixed it while i was on the phone. refund came a week later. calling is def the way to go.

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My tax guy says those codes are super common right now - the IRS is flagging nearly everything for review this year. If your partner hasn't filed in several years, they're probably just making sure everything matches up with their records. As long as the return was accurate, you'll get the refund eventually. Just be prepared to wait 60-90 days instead of the usual 21 days they promise.

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Ugh that's a long wait. Fingers crossed it doesn't take that long.

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Yeah it sucks but at least it'll come eventually. The IRS is ridiculously backed up this year.

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