Based on the 2026 IRS data, roughly 140 million households filed tax returns. And, over 90 million of the 140 million households received a tax refund at some point. However, getting a refund is not always easy. Tax transcripts often contain codes like IRS Code 570 which can confuse many taxpayers at once. This makes them wonder what is tax code 570? And, does it indicate an audit or a problem with their refund?
In simple words, IRS tax code 570 indicates a temporary hold on your refund while your account is being reviewed. This review could be for something minor like additional identity verification, verifying income details or a discrepancy in your returns that might require immediate action.
This article will explain what IRS tax code 570 means for your refund status, why it appears, how long it lasts, what steps you should take after seeing the message and additional tax codes related to the message.
Tax Code 570: What Does It Mean On An IRS Transcript?
Seeing Code 570 on your tax transcript usually indicates that the IRS has placed a temporary hold on your account, causing a delay in your potential refund while additional information or verification is completed. It may also appear on your income tax returns as “Additional account action pending”. Basically, your refund isn’t denied, but it isn’t moving forward either at least for the time being.
Why the IRS uses Tax Code 570?
The IRS Code 570 usually applies when some things regarding your returns need further review before your refunds can be processed. This doesn’t automatically indicate an IRS audit or a serious problem related to your refunds. Rather, it means that the system has flagged something that needs confirmation.
Common triggers include:
- Minor discrepancies in income or withholding
- Verification of tax credits like Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Child Tax Credit (CTC)
- Routine processing checks
What IRS Code 570 means for your tax refund?
As explained above, it indicates a temporary hold on your refund.
For example:
- Code 150 → Return processed
- Code 766 → Credit applied
- Code 570 → Refund hold
Even though your return is processed for the current tax year and credits are applied, the refund will not be issued until the hold is resolved.
Is Code 570 good or bad?
In most of the cases, Code 570 is temporary meaning it is resolved automatically without any action required from you.
However, it is still crucial to monitor your IRS tax transcripts because:
- The IRS may need additional information
- A notice (Code 971) may follow
- Your refund timeline may be extended
After understanding what IRS tax code 570 means for your refund status, let’s explore the reasons for seeing this code on your transcript.
Why Does Tax Code 570 Appear On Your Tax Transcript?
IRS Code 570 appears when the IRS needs to review something on your return before moving forward. This could be a minor discrepancy or a routine verification step.
Income or withholding mismatch
One of the most comon reasons for seeing IRS transcript code 570 is a mismatch between what your reported and what the IRS has on your file.
For example:
You reported $50,000 income on your tax return. But the IRS records show $52,000. This discrepancy can prompt the IRS to place a temporary hold on your refund.
Although, the IRS does temporarily pause your refund, it doesn’t mean that they have denied it straight away due to these discrepancies. IRS and the concerned tax authorities allow room for mistakes. Therefore, the hold is applied just for routine verification before your refund is dispatched.
Tax credit verification
If you claimed certain refundable tax credits like EITC or CTC, the IRS may need additional time to verify or review them before approving your tax refund.
For example:
You applied for one or more of these tax credits. The IRS places a temporary hold on your account to verify eligibility. This doesn’t require any action from you. It is just a routine pause that will be automatically resolved.
Identity verification
The IRS may place a hold to confirm your identity and prevent fraud.
For example:
If the system flags your returns due to a discrepancy related to your identity, the IRS pauses processing until the verification is complete to prevent fraud. In this case, you may be asked to verify your identity through the official IRS system.
Missing or incomplete verification
IRS can temporarily pause your refund processing, if the return has missing or unclear entries.
For example:
If your W-2s are missing or an incorrect entry has been reported, the IRS holds your refund until further clarification. You will receive notifications from the IRS explaining what’s wrong with your returns. In that case, you are expected to act quickly to resolve the hold as soon as possible.
Random or routine IRS review
If your transcript shows IRS code 570, then it doesn’t automatically indicate a discrepancy or a problem with your returns. Sometimes, the IRS can randomly place a hold on certain accounts to ensure compliance and accuracy before issuing refunds. This simply means that your return may have been selected for a routine check before approval.
After understanding why you see Code 570, let’s see how long it typically lasts before moving to the next stage.
How Long Does Code 570 Typically Last?
There is no fixed timeline regarding how long code 570 lasts. The duration of IRS Code 570 depends entirely on why your return was placed on hold. In most cases, it is a temporary review status resolved automatically by the IRS, requiring no action from your side. However, the timeline can vary from a few days to several months depending on the complexity of your case.
Typical durations for Code 570
While, the IRS has not specified timeframes for code 570 resolution, here are the common timelines for most people:
- 1–3 weeks → Simple system or verification checks
- 3–6 weeks → Credit or income verification
- 45–120 days → Cases requiring IRS notice or manual review
Most straightforward cases are resolved within a few weeks without any taxpayer action.
Example timeline scenarios
1. Quick resolution
- Code 150 → Return processed
- Code 806 → Tax withheld
- Code 570 → Temporary hold
- Code 571 → Hold released
- Code 846 → Refund issued
Estimated timeline in this case is ~1-2 weeks.
2. Credit Verification Delay
- Code 150
- Code 766 (credit applied)
- Code 570 (review triggered)
Estimated timeframe for this case is ~3-6 weeks.
3. Extended Review
- Code 570
- Code 971 (IRS notice issued)
Timeline: Up to 120 days depending on response and verification.
What affects the duration?
Several factors influence how long Code 570 stays on your transcript:
- Verification of tax credits (like Child Tax Credit or EITC)
- Income mismatches or corrections
- Identity verification requirements
- IRS backlog during tax season
If everything checks out, the hold is usually removed automatically.
When should you be concerned?
Code 570 is normally resolved automatically by the IRS, requiring minimal to no action from your side. However, if the status doesn’t move for more than 6-8 weeks, or you see Code 971 later without any follow-ups, or any additional documentation is required, then you need to act quickly. Be sure to respond to the IRS as soon as possible to avoid delays in getting your refund.
After understanding how long it takes for the status to change, let’s explore the next steps to take for different situations.
What To Do If You See Code 570?
Usually, Code 570 doesn’t require any action from you. But in some cases, you may have to work with the IRS to resolve the hold. Here are few things you need to look for when working on a resolution.
1. Review your income documents carefully
Many 570 cases occur due to a discrepancy in what you reported and what the third-party information shows.
The IRS corroborates your returns with documents like W-2 (employment income) and 1099s (freelance, interest or other income).
If there’s a mismatch, the IRS places a temporary hold on your account and send a notice like CP2000 until the discrepancy is resolved.
For example:
Your income documents show $40,000 as your income. But your W-2 form shows $42,000 income. As a result, Code 570 appears and IRS may send a CP2000 notice on your returns.
2. Check for IRS notices
If the IRS needs clarification, they may send a notice like Code 971 or CP2000 when your reported income doesn’t match their official records. Keep in mind, that is not a formal audit. Although, it may delay your refund, so use Where’s My Refund tool to check the status of your refund constantly.
For example:
Code 570 appears on your transcript along with 971 notice explaining what’s wrong with your returns. Simultaneously, CP2000 might arrive as well, prompting a corrected W-2 forrm or other rectifications from your side.
The IRS requires you to:
- Review the notice
- Agree or disagree
- Provide documents if needed
So, act quickly to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
3. Correct errors (if any exist)
If you find mistakes, fix them quickly.
Common fixes include:
- Submitting a corrected W-2
- Updating missing 1099s
- Filing an amended return (Form 1040-X)
For example:
You forgot to include a freelance payment (1099) → IRS flags it → Code 570 → you correct it → hold removed
4. Check if you have outstanding tax debt
IRS holds your refund if you have outstanding tax liabilities or debt.
For example:
Previous unpaid tax debts or government debts.
In such cases:
- Your refund may be reduced
- Or delayed until resolved
5. Decide whether to act or wait
Here’s the typical Code 570 decision framework that helps you decide if you have to wait or act.
Just WAIT if:
- No Code 971 (no notice)
- No errors in your W-2 or 1099s
- It’s been less than 2–3 weeks in processing your refund
TAKE ACTION if:
- You receive a CP2000 notice
- You find incorrect income data
- The delay exceeds 6–8 weeks
6. Get professional help (if needed)
Sometimes, these transaction codes and the tax-related procedures can be overwhelming for common people. Therefore, it is recommended to consider working with:
- CPAs (Certified Public Accountants)
- Enrolled agents (Qualified tax professionals)
They can help you by ensuring proper communication with the IRS, providing relevant documentation wherever needed and rectifying mistakes (if any).
For example:
If you disagree with a CP2000 notice, an enorolled agent can act on you behalf with supporting documents.
Conclusion
This article has explained what IRS tax code 570 means, why it appears on your transcript, how long it lasts and what should you do if the status doesn’t move. For most people, the issue is resolved automatically by the IRS, especially if you have applied for tax credits and the IRS is rigorously verifying eligibility.
Often times, a discrepancy or a mistake in your documents can cause a delay in processing your returns, prompting the IRS to issue 570 notice. If the IRS sends a letter pointing out a discrepancy, it is recommended to act swiftly to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
Lastly, it is recommended to wait for 2-3 weeks before contacting the IRS or tax attorneys to resolve your tax situation. Do you have any questions? Let us know in the comments.
FAQs
Is IRS Code 570 bad?
Not necessarily. Code 570 simply means your return is under temporary review. In most cases, it’s resolved automatically and your refund is still issued.
Does Code 570 mean I won’t get my refund?
No. It means your refund is delayed, not denied. Once the IRS completes its review, your refund can still be approved and sent.
What does Code 570 and 971 mean together?
When Code 570 appears with Code 971, it means your refund is on hold and the IRS has sent you a notice explaining the reason. You may need to review or respond to that notice.
How long after Code 570 will I get my refund?
It depends on the issue. Most cases are resolved within 1–6 weeks, but complex situations (like notices or verification) can take up to 120 days.
Should I call the IRS if I see Code 570?
Not immediately. You should only contact the IRS if:
- You received a notice and need clarification
- Your refund has been delayed for several weeks
- There are no updates on your transcript
Otherwise, it’s best to wait while the IRS completes its review.