Why Your IRS Transcript Shows Code 971 After Code 570

Code 570 and Code 971 are two of the most misunderstood IRS tax transcript update combinations. Many taxpayers panic when they appear together — especially if they were expecting Code 846 (refund issued). In reality, this sequence often represents normal refund verification and is a positive forward movement in processing.

This full guide will help you clearly understand what’s happening, what to expect next, and how long the process typically takes.

Understanding IRS Code 570: Additional Account Action Pending

Code 570 means the IRS placed a temporary hold on your refund while it verifies something in your return.
This does not mean you’re being audited.

Common triggers for Code 570:

Earned Income Credit (EITC) or Child Tax Credit review
Wage/income mismatch (W-2 or 1099 not received yet)
Dependent claim conflict with another filer
Recovery Rebate / stimulus credit miscalculation
Identity verification checks
Large adjustments or refundable credit changes

Important: There is no refund movement until Code 570 clears.

Next Step: Why Code 971 Appears

Code 971 — Notice Issued
This means the IRS has taken an action related to the 570 hold and has issued (or will issue) a notice explaining what’s being reviewed.

Key insight:

Code 971 appearing after Code 570 usually means the IRS completed its internal review and is preparing resolution.

Examples of 971 notice types:

Notice Type	Usually Means
Math Error	Adjusting credits or income
Dependent Notice	Claim review needed
ID Verification	Additional identity proof required
Informational Review	Return was corrected & refund will continue

You may or may not ever receive a physical letter — the notice is sometimes automated.

The Ideal Sequence to Watch For

A typical successful flow looks like this:

Code 570 → Code 971 → Code 846 (refund hold) (review complete) (refund issued)

If your transcript shows 570 → 971, that is a good sign of forward progress.

How Long Does It Take After 971 Posts?

Average timelines:

Timeline Stage	Typical Waiting Period
570 appears	Initial review: 7–21 days
971 posts	Second review: 2–6 weeks
846 refund issued	Direct deposit posting

Actual results vary by return type and complexity:

Faster resolution cases (no taxpayer response needed)

2–4 weeks after Code 971

Slower cases (IRS awaiting documents/information)

6–12+ weeks depending on staffing and volume

Will WMR Show Status Changes?

Often, yes — but later than transcripts.

Typical order of updates:

Transcript Update → WMR (bars return) → Deposit Date

If transcript has moved ahead, WMR may still show “still processing.”

When Should You Call the IRS?

Only if any of the below apply:

✔ You received a notice requiring documents
✔ 971 posts but no movement after 60 days
✔ There is a refund freeze code like 810 present
✔ Changes reduce refund and you need clarification

IRS phone number: 800-829-1040
Best time: Right when phones open (7:00 AM ET)