The IRS Message That Signals a Real Review
When you check Where’s My Refund and see:
“We received your tax return and are reviewing it. If we need additional information, we’ll mail a notice with further instructions.”
this is not the same as the usual processing message.
This message means the IRS has pulled your return aside for manual examination, and it is now being looked at by either a human tax examiner or an automated compliance program.
This is a real review — not just routine processing.
What This Status Actually Means
This message signals:
- Your return triggered a verification or compliance checkpoint
- The IRS needs to confirm reported information
- They may contact you
- Your refund is on pause until review is complete
Unless the IRS sends a letter, you don’t need to do anything yet.
But this message indicates your return did not pass through the system automatically.
The Most Common Reasons This Message Appears
1. Income Mismatch
Your return shows earnings that don’t match:
- W-2
- 1099-NEC
- 1099-K
- 1099-INT
- Social Security records
Even small discrepancies can trigger this message.
2. Dependent or filing status verification
Used for:
- Head of Household claim
- Earned Income Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Other Dependent credit
If two people claimed the same dependent, this message is common.
3. Refundable Credits Review
The IRS scrutinizes:
- EITC
- ACTC
- AOTC
- Premium Tax Credit
Large credit amounts = increased audit risk.
4. Suspicion of identity-related issues
Examples:
- Address change
- New bank account for refund
- First-time large refund
- IP PIN not used when previously required
5. Withholding verification
Your reported withholding must match employer-reported withholding.
If not, the refund is paused.
The NEXT Step: Watch for IRS Notices
This message usually leads to one of these letters:
- CP05 or CP05-L — wage/withholding verification
- 5071C or 5747C — identity verification
- 4883C — detailed ID review
- CP2000 — income mismatch
- 4464C — pre-refund examination
Your transcript will show:
TC 971 — Notice issued
along with a notice code referencing the letter type.
How Long This Review Can Take
Typical ranges IF NO notice is required:
- 2–4 weeks additional delay
If a notice IS sent:
- 60-120 days before final resolution
Identity verification delays often last:
- 9–12 weeks
The Single Best Move You Can Make
Check your IRS transcript.
On IRS.gov, request your Account Transcript.
Look for:
- TC 570 — refund hold
- TC 971 — notice issued
- TC 571 — hold lifted
- TC 846 — refund released
The transcript tells you more than Where’s My Refund ever will.
Should You Call the IRS?
Call ONLY if:
- It has been more than 21 days since IRS acceptance
- AND you have received no letter
- AND transcript shows hold codes
Otherwise — calling gets you no new info.
The agent will just say:
“Your return is under review. Please allow additional time.”
What You Should NOT Do
Do not:
- File another return
- Submit documents unless asked
- Make changes without IRS request
- Panic over no refund date
This message does NOT mean:
- You’re being audited
- You did something illegal
- Your return was rejected
- You are denied a refund
It simply means the IRS is checking something first.
The Good News
In most cases:
- The return eventually clears
- The refund is still granted
- No additional documentation is needed
Many taxpayers see this message and then suddenly get:
TC 846: Refund Issued
without ever receiving a letter.
When you see:
“We received your tax return and are reviewing it. If we need additional information, we’ll mail a notice with further instructions.”
It means:
- Your return is on hold
- You may or may not receive a letter
- The IRS is verifying data
- Your refund is delayed — not denied
- The next real clue will appear on your IRS transcript
