Understanding the Two Most Important IRS Transcript Codes That Stop Your Refund
If you check your IRS tax transcript during refund season, two codes can immediately tell you whether your refund is delayed and why. These codes are:
- TC 570 – Refund Hold (Routine IRS Review)
- TC 810 – Refund Freeze (Identity Theft or Suspected Fraud)
Although both codes stop your refund from being released, they are not the same. Knowing the difference between TC 570 and TC 810 can help you understand whether your delay is temporary or part of a more serious identity verification issue.
This guide breaks down each code, what it means, how long it lasts, and what steps to take if you see it on your transcript.
What Is TC 570?
TC 570 – Additional Account Action Pending (Refund Hold)
TC 570 is the most common refund delay code. It appears when the IRS needs more time to review your return.
What TC 570 Means
TC 570 indicates:
- The IRS has paused your refund
- Additional review is required
- No refund can be issued until the review is completed
Common Reasons You Get TC 570
- Income mismatch (W-2 or 1099 doesn’t match IRS records)
- Child Tax Credit, EITC, or dependent verification
- Identity verification flags (not as severe as TC 810)
- Withholding inconsistencies
- Math errors requiring manual correction
- Missing documents or late employer filings
- Internal processing delays
How Long TC 570 Lasts
A TC 570 hold typically clears when you receive:
- TC 571 – Adjustment Reversed (Hold Removed)
- TC 572 – Additional Adjustment (Hold Resolved)
These codes mean the review was completed and the refund is one step closer to release.
TC 570 delays usually last days to weeks, depending on the complexity of the return and filing season volume.
What to Do If You See TC 570
- Wait for TC 571 or 572 to post
- Review your IRS letters or notices
- Make sure all income documents match precisely
- Avoid refiling unless instructed
- Contact the IRS only if the hold lasts more than 45–60 days
TC 570 is frustrating, but it typically resolves without major action from the taxpayer.
What Is TC 810?
TC 810 – Refund Freeze (Suspected Identity Theft or Fraud)
TC 810 is more serious and indicates the IRS has frozen your entire refund due to suspicion of identity theft or potential fraud.
What TC 810 Means
TC 810 indicates:
- The IRS believes your return may not be legitimate
- Your refund is frozen indefinitely
- No processing will continue until identity is verified
- IRS security or fraud units are involved
This code appears when the IRS suspects someone may be trying to:
- File a return using your SSN
- Claim your dependents
- Change your refund deposit information
- Alter your IRS account
- File a fraudulent amended return
Common Reasons You Get TC 810
- Your identity was flagged by IRS fraud filters
- A prior-year identity theft case
- A suspicious filing pattern
- Conflicting dependents claimed on another return
- Banking information mismatch
- Major changes in income from year to year
- Filing from a new device, state, or location
- IRS believes your return may be fraudulent
How Long TC 810 Lasts
A refund freeze remains until the IRS manually clears the issue.
To remove the freeze, you typically need:
- Identity verification (Letter 5071C, 4883C, or 5747C)
- Direct contact with the IRS
- In some cases, an IRS Taxpayer Protection Program appointment
Once resolved, you will see:
- TC 811 – Refund Freeze Released
Only after TC 811 posts can the IRS continue processing your refund.
TC 810 delays can last months, depending on how quickly the taxpayer completes verification.
What to Do If You See TC 810
- Check your IRS notices immediately
- Complete identity verification online through ID.me or IRS.gov
- Respond to any IRS letters without delay
- If no letter arrives, call the IRS Identity Protection unit
- Review your IRS Online Account for suspicious activity
Unlike TC 570, a TC 810 freeze will not clear on its own. Action is required.
TC 570 vs. TC 810: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | TC 570 – Refund Hold | TC 810 – Refund Freeze |
|---|---|---|
| Severity | Moderate | High (Fraud/ID Theft Concern) |
| Reason | Routine review or mismatch | Suspicious, potentially fraudulent return |
| Refund Status | Paused temporarily | Frozen indefinitely |
| Requires Action? | Usually no | Always yes |
| How It Clears | TC 571 or TC 572 | TC 811 |
| Typical Delay | Days to weeks | Weeks to months |
| Triggered By | Credits, dependents, income mismatch | Identity theft, fraud filters, SSN conflict |
| IRS Division | General processing | Identity Protection or Fraud Unit |
This comparison shows just how different the two codes are, even though both stop refunds.
How to Know Which Code Is Affecting Your Refund
You can check your status by:
- Viewing your IRS Online Account
- Downloading your Account Transcript
- Watching the cycle code and posting dates
- Looking for the sequence of codes
A TC 570 hold often appears around the same time as TC 150.
A TC 810 freeze may appear early in processing or after IRS fraud detection triggers.
Both TC 570 and TC 810 stop your refund, but the reasons and outcomes are dramatically different:
- TC 570 is a routine hold that typically clears on its own after additional review.
- TC 810 is a refund freeze indicating possible identity theft or fraud, requiring immediate taxpayer action.
Understanding these codes can help you determine whether your refund delay is a minor inconvenience or a sign that you need to verify your identity with the IRS.
