IRS Code 570 & 571: Additional Account Action Pending (570) / Hold Released (571)
IRS code 570 means "additional account action pending": the IRS has put a temporary hold on your account, usually freezing the refund while something is reviewed. Code 571 means that hold was released.
What code 570 / 571 actually means
Document 6209 titles transaction code 570 "Additional Liability Pending and/or Credit Hold." It freezes the tax year from refunding or applying credits elsewhere until the issue is resolved. On public transcripts it usually reads "Additional account action pending." Code 571 reverses the 570 and releases that hold.
A 570 is a hold, not an audit. IRS procedures list many reasons it can post: information missing from the return (such as a signature or Form 1310), a review of your income and withholding by the IRS's Return Integrity Verification Operations, an identity-verification hold, an injured spouse claim filed with the return, an unfiled prior-year return, a payment received after the account was paid in full, or a review of certain credits. Some of these clear on their own; others need you to respond to a letter.
The hold can be released in several ways. Under IRS rules, a 571, a $0.00 290, or another adjustment can release it, and a refund (846) may follow if no other hold remains. A 570 paired with a 971 usually means a letter was mailed; that letter is the best explanation of what is needed.
What to do next
- 1Look for a 971 on the same or nearby date and watch your mail. The letter (for example CP05, Letter 4464C, Letter 12C, or an identity letter such as 5071C, 4883C, or 5747C) tells you what is needed.
- 2If you received an identity-verification letter, verify only through the method on the letter (IRS.gov/VerifyReturn for 5071C, the phone number in a 4883C, or an in-person IRS office visit for 5747C).
- 3If you received CP05 or Letter 4464C, the IRS says you do not need to take action and asks you not to call until 60 days after the notice date. Meanwhile, compare every W-2 and 1099 with your return.
- 4Check Where's My Refund and a later transcript for 571, a $0 290, or 846. If the delay is causing a financial hardship, the Taxpayer Advocate Service may be able to help.
- 5If you received a letter asking for documents, a tax professional can help you assemble a complete response; we offer a free consultation.
Codes it often appears with
Notice issued; usually the letter explaining the hold.
Releases the 570 hold.
A $0.00 290 also releases the 570 hold.
Refund issued once the hold is cleared and no other hold remains.
A separate refund freeze that can be on the account at the same time.
Letters that often go with it
- CP05 — Refund Hold — Return Under Review
- Letter 4464C — Return Under Review Before Refund
- Letter 5071C — Identity Verification Required
- Letter 4883C — Identity Verification — Phone Only
- Letter 5747C — In-Person Identity Verification Required
- Letter 12C — Information Needed to Process Your Return
- Letter 2645C — We Need More Time (Interim Letter)
Common questions
What does code 570 mean on my IRS transcript?+
It means additional account action is pending: the IRS placed a temporary hold on the tax year, usually stopping the refund while something is reviewed or resolved.
Does a 570 code mean I'm being audited?+
No, not by itself. A 570 is a hold. Common reasons include income and withholding verification, identity verification, missing information, or an injured spouse claim. An audit would come with an examination letter.
What does 571 mean after a 570?+
571 reverses the 570 and releases that hold. If no other hold is on the account, a refund (846) often follows in a later update.
How long does a 570 hold last?+
It depends on the reason. For a CP05 or Letter 4464C review, the IRS asks you to wait 60 days from the notice date before calling, and its procedures allow up to 180 days for the full review. After you verify your identity, the IRS says processing can take up to 9 weeks.
What does 570 and 971 together mean?+
It usually means the IRS placed a hold and mailed you a letter about it. The letter explains whether you need to do anything.
Checked against IRS primary sources — see how we source these guides. Transcripts show what has posted, not every action in progress; notices mailed to you and your IRS online account are the controlling record.
Other transcript codes
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