IRS Transcripts
570 and 971 Codes on Transcript: What They Mean and What to Do (2025)
The short answer: the 570 and 971 codes on your transcript usually appear together when the IRS puts a temporary hold on your refund. Code 570 is "additional account action pending" — a freeze. Code 971 is "notice issued" — a letter is on its way to explain the hold. Most clear within a few weeks.
⏱ What to watch: the notice tied to your 971 code typically arrives within 2 weeks of the date next to it. If 30 days pass with no letter — or it's been more than 60 days with no movement on the hold — that's your signal to call the IRS or request the Taxpayer Advocate Service.
What the 570 and 971 codes actually mean
When you pull your IRS account transcript, you see a list of three-digit transaction codes with dates and dollar amounts. Two of the most common — and most worrying — are codes 570 and 971. Seeing them together almost always means the same thing: the IRS has paused your refund and is mailing you a notice about it.
Here's the plain-English translation:
- Code 570 — "additional account action pending." This is a freeze. The IRS has stopped your refund (or a balance change) while it reviews something on your return. The amount next to it is often $0.00, which just means the action itself is the hold, not a charge.
- Code 971 — "notice issued." This means the IRS generated and mailed you a letter. The date next to the 971 is roughly when the notice went out.
Think of it this way: the 570 stops the money, and the 971 tells you why. If you're not sure how to find these on your transcript, our guide to reading an IRS account transcript walks through every code line by line.
Why these codes show up
A 570 hold is usually automated, triggered when the IRS's systems spot something they want to double-check before releasing your refund. Common reasons include:
- Income that doesn't match. The wages or 1099 amounts on your return don't line up with what employers and payers reported to the IRS.
- Identity verification. The IRS wants to confirm you really filed the return — often paired with a letter like a 5071C identity verification letter.
- Credit reviews. Refundable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit get extra scrutiny.
- Math or processing corrections. The IRS adjusted a number and is recalculating your refund or balance.
- A prior balance or offset. Part of your refund may be applied to back taxes or another debt.
None of these automatically means you did something wrong. Many 570 holds are routine and clear on their own. The official meaning of these codes is published in the IRS transaction code list inside the IRS Get Transcript system and document guides.
What happens next — the order to watch for
Your transcript is a running diary of your account. After a 570 and 971, the IRS adds new codes as it works through the review. Here's the sequence that tells you the hold is clearing in your favor:
- Code 570 — the hold is placed. Your refund is frozen.
- Code 971 — a notice is issued explaining the review.
- Code 571 or 572 — "resolved additional account action." The hold is released. This is the green light you're waiting for.
- Code 846 — "refund issued." A date and amount appear next to it. Your money is on the way.
If instead you see a code 290 (additional tax assessed) or code 977/976 (amended return), the IRS made a change that affected your balance. And if the IRS shifts your refund to a prior debt, you may see a code 826. The notice tied to your 971 will spell out which path your account took.
What if you ignore it?
A 570 hold by itself won't snowball into collections — it's a refund freeze, not a bill. But ignoring the notice that comes with the 971 can cost you. If the letter is asking you to verify your identity or respond to an income mismatch (similar to a CP2000 notice), and you don't answer, the IRS may finalize a change you disagree with. That can turn a held refund into a balance due — with penalties and interest. Reading and responding to the notice is what protects you.
Stuck staring at a frozen transcript?
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How to respond, step by step
- Pull your full account transcript. If you don't have it yet, our walkthrough on getting your IRS transcript online shows you how. Look for the 570, 971, and any later codes.
- Note the dates. The date beside the 971 tells you roughly when the notice was mailed. Most arrive within two weeks.
- Wait for and read the notice. Don't guess at what the IRS wants — the letter says exactly what's being reviewed and whether you need to do anything.
- Compare your return to the income records. If it's a mismatch, your wage and income transcript shows what employers and payers reported. Fix or explain any difference.
- Respond by the date in the notice if it asks for action — identity verification, documents, or agreement to a change. Keep copies of everything you send.
- Escalate if you're stuck. No notice after 30 days, or no movement after 60? Call the IRS, or ask the Taxpayer Advocate Service for help — they can step in when a hold drags on and causes hardship.
570 and 971 transcript codes, answered
Do codes 570 and 971 mean I'm being audited?
Usually not. Code 570 is a temporary hold on your account, and code 971 means a notice was issued to explain it. Most of these holds are routine reviews — income mismatches, identity checks, or math corrections — not full audits. The notice tied to the 971 will tell you exactly what the IRS is checking.
How long does a 570 code hold last?
There's no fixed timeline. Many 570 holds clear on their own within 21 to 60 days once the IRS finishes its review, and a later code 571 or 572 followed by code 846 shows the refund was released. If you've waited more than 60 days with no movement and no notice, it's worth calling the IRS or contacting the Taxpayer Advocate Service.
What's the difference between code 570 and code 971?
Code 570 is "additional account action pending" — a freeze that holds your refund or balance while the IRS reviews something. Code 971 is "notice issued" — it means the IRS mailed you a letter, often explaining the 570 hold. The 570 stops the money; the 971 tells you why.
Will I still get my refund if I have a 570 code?
In most cases yes, once the review finishes. Watch for code 571 or 572 (the hold being reversed) followed by code 846 (refund issued). If the IRS adjusts your return, your refund may be smaller, applied to back taxes, or offset for another debt. Read the notice tied to your 971 code to know which applies.
Should I call the IRS about my 570 and 971 codes?
Wait for the notice the 971 code refers to before calling — it usually arrives within a couple of weeks and explains what the IRS needs. If no notice shows up after 30 days, or it's been more than 60 days with no change, calling the IRS or requesting help from the Taxpayer Advocate Service can move things along.
This guide is general information, not tax or legal advice for your specific situation. Eligibility for IRS programs depends on individual facts and circumstances; no outcome is guaranteed.