A Clear Guide to the IRS Refund Hold Lifecycle and What It Means for Your Tax Refund
If you track your IRS Account Transcript during tax season, few codes are as important—or as confusing—as TC 570 and TC 571. These two codes work together to show exactly where your refund stands in the IRS review process.
The sequence is simple:
TC 570 = Refund on Hold
TC 571 = Hold Cleared / Issue Resolved
When you see both codes appear in order on your transcript, you have a complete picture of the lifecycle of an IRS refund review. Understanding this sequence can give you a massive advantage when tracking your refund long before Where’s My Refund updates.
This guide breaks down what each code means, why the IRS places holds, how long they last, and why TC 571 is the green light that your refund is finally moving forward.
What Is TC 570?
TC 570 – Additional Account Action Pending
This is the IRS’s universal hold code. When TC 570 posts, it means:
- Your refund is paused
- The IRS needs to verify information
- No refund can be issued
- No deposit date will appear
- Your account is under manual or automated review
Common Reasons for TC 570
TC 570 is triggered by issues including:
- Income mismatch (W-2 or 1099 errors)
- Withholding verification
- Dependent or residency questions
- Refundable credit validation (EITC, ACTC, AOTC)
- Identity verification filters
- PATH Act seasonal holds
- Randomized security flags
- Tax preparer due diligence reviews
- IRS math error corrections
Once a TC 570 posts, the IRS must resolve the issue before the refund can continue processing.
What Is TC 571?
TC 571 – Reversal of Refund Hold / Hold Cleared
TC 571 is the IRS’s confirmation that:
- The hold causing TC 570 has been resolved
- No further action on your end is needed
- The IRS has accepted your information
- Your return is approved to move forward
- Your refund is ready for the next processing stage
If you were waiting weeks under a TC 570 hold, TC 571 is the sign you have been hoping for.
Why TC 570 Is Followed by TC 571
IRS refund processing happens in stages. TC 570 is simply part of the review cycle. Once the IRS finishes the necessary validation steps, they must clear the hold so the system can release your refund.
The Lifecycle of a Refund Hold
Here is the typical sequence:
- TC 150 – Return Filed
- TC 570 – Refund Hold
- IRS completes review
- TC 571 – Hold Cleared
- Refund enters final processing
- TC 846 – Refund Issued
This is the standard path for returns that encounter verification delays.
How Long Does the TC 570 to TC 571 Process Take?
Timing varies based on the issue that triggered the hold.
Typical Timeframes
- PATH Act returns: Hold lifts in mid- to late-February
- W-2/income mismatch: 3–8 weeks
- Identity verification (5071C/5747C): 4–12 weeks after verification
- Tax preparer due diligence reviews: 6–12 weeks
- Math error corrections: 4–10 weeks
Once TC 571 appears, movement toward TC 846 is usually fast.
TC 571 → TC 846 timeline
- Daily accounts: 2–5 business days
- Weekly accounts: Next weekly update (Thursday night / Friday morning)
What Happens After TC 571 Posts?
After TC 571 clears the hold, your return enters the final stage of refund processing.
You may see:
- No new codes for several days
- Cycle date updates
- TC 846 – Refund Issued shortly after
- A deposit date on Where’s My Refund (though often later than the transcript update)
Once TC 571 posts, your refund normally moves forward without interruption.
Why TC 571 Is the “Green Light” for Refund Release
TC 571 signals that the IRS’s system has:
- Approved your income and withholding
- Validated credits (EITC, ACTC, AOTC)
- Confirmed dependents and filing status
- Completed identity checks
- Cleared fraud-prevention filters
- Processed any math corrections
In short, there is nothing left blocking your refund.
The IRS can now generate your final refund amount and issue TC 846.
TC 570 vs TC 571: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Code | Meaning | Impact on Refund |
|---|---|---|
| TC 570 | Refund on Hold | Refund is paused; IRS is reviewing |
| TC 571 | Hold Cleared | Refund moves to final processing |
Seeing both codes means your return successfully passed all required verification steps.
What If You See TC 571 Without TC 570?
In rare cases, the IRS may apply TC 571 as part of an automatic correction or adjustment—even if a TC 570 does not appear. This usually indicates:
- A backend correction
- IRS manually clearing an internal flag
- Faster movement toward refund issuance
This is still good news and means your refund is progressing normally.
What If Your Transcript Only Shows TC 570 and No TC 571?
If TC 570 remains with no TC 571:
- Your refund is still on hold
- The IRS is still reviewing your return
- You may receive a notice
- You may need to verify identity
- Or the IRS may be waiting on wage-matching data
If 570 persists for more than 4–8 weeks, it may be worth calling the IRS to check for required action.
What It Means for Where’s My Refund
WMR is slow to update compared to transcripts.
After TC 571:
- WMR may still show “Processing”
- WMR may not update until TC 846 posts
- Some taxpayers receive refunds before WMR ever updates
Your transcript is far more accurate than WMR.
TC 570 is the IRS’s way of putting your refund on hold when something needs review.
TC 571 is the confirmation that the hold is cleared and your refund is about to move forward.
If you see TC 571 following TC 570, that is your signal that:
- The IRS resolved the issue
- No further action is required
- Your refund is nearly ready
- TC 846 should post soon
For the 2026 tax season, understanding this sequence gives you a major advantage when tracking your refund long before Where’s My Refund updates.
