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OMG I'm going through this EXACT thing right now and I'm so stressed about it!! π« I've had the 570/971 combo for almost 3 weeks and I keep checking every morning hoping to see that beautiful 846 code! From what I've read in other groups, it seems like most people are getting their refunds about 2-4 weeks after these codes appear, but some are waiting longer. I'm just praying mine comes through soon because I really need it for some unexpected car repairs. π
I'm in the exact same situation! Filed my return on February 15th and have been seeing the 570/971 codes for about 2.5 weeks now. What's driving me crazy is that last year my refund came through in just 10 days with no codes at all. I've been checking my transcript obsessively every morning hoping to see that 846 code appear. From everything I'm reading here, it sounds like we just need to be patient and wait for the notice to arrive in the mail. Has anyone actually received their notice yet and can share what it said? I'm trying not to panic but it's hard when you're expecting that refund for planned expenses!
Just to clarify for everyone - the 570 code means refund hold and 971 means notice issued. When the IRS processes ur prior yr return, you'll see code 571 (hold released) and then 846 (refund issued). Timing varies but avg is 6wks from what I've seen. Def include a cover sheet w/ ur SSN, tax yr, and notice # when faxing. Anyone else notice faster processing when faxing vs mailing?
This is super helpful! π I've been staring at my transcript trying to decode it like I'm in The Da Vinci Code. At least now I know what I'm looking for when it (hopefully) updates!
I'm currently going through this nightmare too! Got my 570/971 codes on my transcript last Monday after filing my 2024 return. Turns out I need to file my 2022 return first. I'm a total newbie to this process and honestly feeling overwhelmed by all the fax numbers and documentation requirements. Quick question for everyone who's been through this - when you faxed your prior year return, did you include Form 1040X or just the original 1040? The notice I received wasn't super clear about this. Also, has anyone had success with e-filing through a tax preparer instead of faxing? I'm willing to pay the extra fee if it means faster processing since I really need this refund for some unexpected home repairs. Thanks for sharing your experiences - it's comforting to know I'm not alone in this mess! π€
Welcome to the club nobody wants to be in! π For your question about forms - you typically just need to file the original 1040 for 2022, not a 1040X (that's for amendments). The IRS just needs your missing return processed. As for e-filing vs faxing, from what I've seen in this thread, e-filing through a tax pro might be faster since it goes directly into their system rather than sitting in a fax pile. Given that you need the money for home repairs, it might be worth the extra cost for peace of mind! Just make sure whoever you use can actually e-file prior year returns - not all preparers have that capability.
Just a quick heads up that isn't getting enough attention: Make sure you understand how your RSUs and ISOs affect your cost basis reporting! This bit me hard last year. The W-2c will show the correct income amount, but your 1099-B from your broker likely WON'T have the correct cost basis. You need to manually adjust this on your Schedule D and Form 8949 or you'll end up paying double tax on the RSU income.
This is such a common and frustrating situation! I went through something similar two years ago with my company's delayed W-2c process. One thing that really helped me was being persistent but professional with HR/payroll. I sent a follow-up email every week documenting my request and the potential penalties I was facing. I also mentioned that I was working with a tax professional who needed the information by a specific date to avoid filing extensions. Another strategy that worked: I asked if they could provide me with a written estimate of the corrections even if the official W-2c wasn't ready. Many payroll systems can generate this information quickly - it's the formal filing process that takes time. Having those numbers let me work with my tax preparer to get everything ready. Also, definitely keep detailed records of all your RSU vesting dates and sale transactions. Your brokerage statements combined with your company's equity portal should give you most of the information you need to estimate the corrections yourself if push comes to shove. The key is being proactive and documenting everything. The IRS is generally understanding when you can show you made good faith efforts to obtain correct information from your employer. Don't let your company's inefficiency become your tax problem!
This is really helpful advice! I especially like the idea of asking for a written estimate even if the official W-2c isn't ready. That seems like a reasonable middle ground that might get them to move faster. I'm definitely going to start sending weekly follow-up emails to create that paper trail you mentioned. Do you think it's worth mentioning in those emails that I've already been penalized by the IRS before for this exact situation? I'm wondering if that might add some urgency from their perspective, or if it could somehow work against me. Also, when you say "brokerage statements combined with company equity portal" - are you referring to the transaction history showing when shares vested and were sold? I want to make sure I'm gathering the right documentation to estimate the corrections myself if needed.
Be careful about relying too heavily on these patterns. According to the IRS.gov website, system maintenance can disrupt the normal update schedule. I once waited an entire weekend because an update that should have happened Thursday night was delayed until Monday due to "system improvements." The IRS doesn't always announce these maintenance periods in advance. I recommend checking the IRS operational status page before assuming there's an issue with your specific return.
This is really helpful information about the update cycles. I'm curious though - does anyone know if amended returns follow the same update patterns? I filed an amendment in February and I'm trying to figure out if I should be looking for updates on the same schedule or if amended returns are processed on a different cycle entirely.
@cbab9877e957 Amended returns typically follow a completely different processing timeline. From what I've observed, they don't follow the standard weekly cycle codes at all. Most amended returns I've tracked took 16-20 weeks to process, and the transcript updates seemed to happen more randomly - sometimes on Tuesdays, sometimes Wednesdays. The IRS processes amendments manually in many cases, which is why they don't follow the automated weekly patterns we see with original returns. You might want to check the "Where's My Amended Return" tool on IRS.gov for more specific timing on your February filing.
Luis Johnson
I've seen this happen to several taxpayers this season, and I understand it can be concerning. According to Internal Revenue Manual 21.4.1, the IRS operates multiple databases that don't always synchronize in real-time. The Electronic Funds Transfer Payment System (EFTPS) that issues direct deposits can process faster than the Integrated Data Retrieval System (IDRS) that updates transcripts. What you're experiencing isn't uncommon, especially during high-volume processing periods. The important thing is that you've received your refund. I'd recommend keeping documentation of the deposit for your records, but there's likely no cause for concern. Many people are in similar situations this tax season as the IRS works through their processing backlog.
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Caleb Stark
This exact thing happened to me last month! Filed on 1/31, got my deposit on 2/19, but my transcript didn't show the refund issued (846 code) until 2/22. The WMR tool was stuck on "processing" for days after I already had my money in the bank. I was panicking thinking something was wrong, but it turns out the IRS payment system and their tracking systems run on completely different schedules. The financial side moves faster than the status reporting side, especially during busy season. I'd definitely screenshot your bank deposit and maybe check your transcript again in a few days - mine eventually caught up and showed all the proper codes. You're not alone in this weird limbo situation!
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