Why Some People With Code 570 Are Moving Before Others

If you’re staring at IRS transcript Code 570 and wondering why other people with the same code are suddenly getting updates, 571s, or refund dates before you, you’re not alone. Code 570 can feel like a traffic light stuck on red—but behind the scenes, not every 570 is the same, and that’s why some returns move faster than others.

In this post, we’ll break down what Code 570 really means, why some people clear before others, and what (if anything) you can do while you wait.

What is Code 570?

On an IRS account transcript, Code 570 generally means “Additional Account Action Pending” and usually comes with a description like “Additional account action pending” or “Refund freeze.”

In plain language, 570 means:

• The IRS has paused your refund.
• They need to review or verify something on your return.
• Your refund will not move until that review is finished and the freeze is lifted (often with Code 571 or 572).

Code 570 does not, by itself, tell you exactly what is wrong. Instead, it tells you the IRS is taking a closer look at your return before releasing money.​

Common reasons 570 appears

Not every 570 is caused by the same issue. Some of the most common triggers include:

• Identity verification concerns
  • Information on your return doesn’t quite match IRS or Social Security records.
  • You may be randomly selected for identity verification to prevent fraud.
• Income mismatches
  • Your W‑2s, 1099s, or other income documents don’t match what you reported.
  • An employer filed a corrected W‑2, or reported late, and the IRS wants to compare.
• Questionable or complex credits
  • Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
  • Child Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit
  • Other refundable credits with higher fraud risk.
• Early or complex returns
  • Filing very early in the season.
  • Returns with things like injured spouse allocation, foreign income, or multiple states.

Because the underlying issues are different, the time it takes to clear the 570 hold can be very different too.

Why some people with 570 move before others

You might see one person report they had 570 for two weeks and then got a 571 and a refund date, while someone else has been stuck for six or eight weeks. Here are the main reasons that happens.

1. Not all 570s require the same level of review

Some 570 holds are simple, routine checks, while others involve deeper investigation.

• Routine or automated checks
  • Example: Early filers or random reviews.
  • The IRS system may review and release these without needing extra documents from you.
• Substantive issues
  • Example: Large income mismatches, questionable credits, possible identity theft.
  • These often require a human to manually review your account or request documents, which takes longer.

If someone else’s 570 is just a quick system check and yours is tied to a document mismatch, they will almost always move first.

2. Different underlying problems = different timelines

Even when two people have Code 570, their underlying issues can be very different:

• Identity verification can clear fairly quickly if you verify promptly and there are no further questions.
• Wage or income discrepancies may require the IRS to compare your return to employer records, which can be slow, especially if the employer filed late or corrected forms.
• Complex credit issues (EITC, CTC, foreign tax credits, etc.) can trigger more intensive review, sometimes stretching the timeline significantly.

Two people can have the same code but completely different “behind‑the‑scenes” stories.

3. The date next to Code 570 matters

On your transcript, Code 570 usually has a transaction date next to it. That date matters because:

• It often marks when the hold was applied and when the “clock” for the review period really starts.
• Some IRS internal timelines (like 45 or 60‑day review windows) are counted from that date, not from when you filed.​

If someone else’s 570 date is earlier than yours, they may hit the review window and clear before you, even if you filed around the same time.

4. Some cases auto‑resolve; others need human action

A key difference between people who move quickly and those who don’t is whether a human needs to intervene:

• Auto‑resolve cases
  • System reviews the return, finds no continuing issue, and releases the hold with Code 571/572.
  • No letter is needed, and the taxpayer may never know exactly what triggered the pause.
• Manual‑review cases
  • An employee must review your account, request documents, or adjust something.
  • This is where you’re more likely to see a notice (often paired with Code 971) and longer waits.

So, while one person’s 570 clears quietly overnight, another person might be waiting for an examiner or for their documents to be processed.

5. IRS workload and timing

Internal factors also affect who moves first:

• Peak season backlogs and staffing
  • During busy periods, some types of cases or departments get more backed up than others.
  • Identity verification, credit reviews, and wage mismatches may sit in different “queues” with different speeds.
• When you respond (if you get a notice)
  • If you get a letter and respond quickly with complete documentation, your case can move faster.
  • Someone who delays responding—or sends incomplete documents—will likely wait longer.​

That’s why you can see people with similar codes and dates, but very different progress.

Why someone with the same codes and dates might still move first

Sometimes you’ll see a situation like: “We both have 150, 806, 570, and 971 with the same dates, but they got movement and I didn’t.” That’s frustrating, but there are a few possible explanations:

• Hidden internal notes or flags
  • Your transcript doesn’t show every internal code or note on your case.
  • There could be internal indicators (like identity theft flags or prior‑year issues) that cause extra review for one account and not the other.
• Different responses to IRS requests
  • One person may have verified their identity or provided documents earlier.
  • The other may still be waiting on mail, missed a request, or their documents haven’t been processed yet.
• Slight differences in processing path
  • Even with the same visible codes, your returns may be routed to different teams, sites, or queues with different workloads.

From the outside, the transcripts look identical—but the internal processing path may not be.

What you can (and can’t) do while waiting

While you can’t “force” the IRS to skip steps, there are smart moves you can make.

1. Watch for notices and read them carefully

If you see Code 971 (Notice Issued) near your 570, that usually means a letter is on the way explaining what they need.

• Open and read any IRS mail immediately.
• Follow the instructions exactly—how to respond, what to send, where to send it, and the time frame.

A fast, complete response can prevent your 570 from dragging out longer than necessary.​

2. Use official IRS tools

Continue checking:

• Where’s My Refund (WMR) for your overall status.
• Your online account or transcript to see if new codes (like 571/572 or an adjustment) appear.

Don’t over‑refresh, but do check regularly enough to catch any changes early.

3. Consider calling if you’re outside normal time frames

If:

• Your transcript has shown 570 for several weeks,
• You have no letter, no 971, and no movement,

you may consider calling the IRS to ask what is holding your return and whether they need anything from you.

Just keep in mind:

• Representatives can’t always give an exact release or refund date.
• Sometimes they will confirm it’s a routine review and no action is needed on your part.

4. Avoid making changes unless instructed

Amending your return or randomly resending documents when the IRS hasn’t asked can:

• Confuse the issue,
• Restart processing timelines, and
• Potentially delay your refund even more.​

Act only on clear instructions from an IRS notice or a representative.

When discussing Tax Transcript Code 570, the most important distinction to make is this:

A 570 is a temporary freeze in processing — it is not a rejection of your refund.

Behind that single code are multiple potential triggers. Some accounts require minimal internal verification and move quickly once cleared. Others are routed through deeper review channels that take additional time. The code may look identical on two transcripts, but the underlying review path often is not.

Refund timing under Code 570 is driven by internal case type, workload routing, and the nature of the issue being verified — not by fairness, filing order, or who “should” move first.

The practical approach is straightforward: monitor your transcript, review your IRS correspondence promptly, respond immediately if documentation is requested, and allow the appropriate review cycle to complete. Understanding the mechanics behind the delay removes unnecessary panic and replaces it with informed expectations.