Code 570 means the IRS is holding your refund to verify your identity or check for fraud

Code 570 appears on your IRS account transcript when the agency has flagged your return for identity verification or fraud review. It is not a rejection — it is a pause. The IRS stops processing your refund at this point and waits for you to respond to their request, or for their verification process to complete on its own.

The timeline depends on which type of verification triggered the code. If you receive a notice in the mail asking you to verify your identity, you typically have 30 days to respond. If the IRS is running an automated check without asking you to do anything, the hold can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks.

Code 570 is common and does not mean you did anything wrong. High-income returns, returns with certain credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit, and returns filed from new addresses all trigger it routinely.

Key Takeaways

  • Code 570 pauses your refund while the IRS verifies your identity or checks for fraud — it is not a denial.
  • If you receive a notice in the mail, you have 30 days to respond with the documents the IRS requests.
  • If no notice arrives and the code clears on its own, the hold typically lasts two to four weeks from the date the code appeared.
  • You can check your refund status on IRS.gov using Where's My Refund, which updates every 24 hours and shows when Code 570 has been removed.
  • Once Code 570 is cleared, the IRS usually issues your refund within five to seven business days.

What happens when you receive a notice in the mail

If Code 570 appears because the IRS needs you to verify your identity, they will send you a notice — usually Form CP504 or a similar letter — to your address on file. The notice explains exactly what documents or information they need and gives you a deadline, typically 30 days from the date of the letter.

Common requests include a copy of your driver's license, passport, or Social Security card, along with proof of your current address (a utility bill or lease). Some notices ask you to verify specific income or deductions on your return. Follow the instructions in the letter exactly — use the method they specify (mail, phone, or online portal) and keep a copy of what you send.

Once the IRS receives your response and verifies the information, Code 570 is removed from your account. This usually takes one to two weeks after they receive your documents, though it can be faster if you respond by phone or through their online verification tool.

Timeline when no notice arrives and the code clears automatically

Some Code 570 holds clear without you taking any action. The IRS runs automated checks — matching your Social Security number against wage records, checking for duplicate returns, or verifying income amounts — and if those checks pass, the code drops and your refund moves forward.

This automated process typically takes two to four weeks from the date Code 570 first appeared on your account. You will not receive a notice; the code simply disappears when the verification is complete. Check Where's My Refund every few days to watch for the change.

If Code 570 remains on your account for more than four weeks and you have not received a notice, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 to confirm whether a letter is on the way or whether additional information is needed.

How to check the status of your refund while Code 570 is active

The IRS tool Where's My Refund is the only place that shows Code 570 and tracks when it is removed. Go to IRS.gov, select "Check My Refund Status," and enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool updates once every 24 hours, usually overnight.

While Code 570 is active, Where's My Refund will show "We received your return and it is being processed" or similar language, and the code itself appears on your IRS account transcript (also available through IRS.gov under "View Your Tax Account"). The transcript is more detailed than Where's My Refund and shows the exact date the code was assigned.

Do not rely on the IRS transcript's estimated refund date while Code 570 is active — that date shifts as the verification process moves forward. Once the code is removed, the transcript will show a new, more accurate date.

What to do if you receive a notice and miss the deadline

If you receive a notice asking for verification and the 30-day deadline passes without a response, the IRS will disallow your refund claim. Your return is still processed, but the refund is held indefinitely until you respond. The IRS does not automatically issue the refund after the deadline expires.

If you miss the deadline, contact the IRS immediately at 800-829-1040 with your notice in hand. Explain that you did not receive the letter in time or did not understand the request. The IRS can reopen the verification window, though there is no may provide. Sending the requested documents by certified mail with a cover letter explaining the delay can help.

Keep all notices from the IRS and respond as soon as they arrive. If you move, update your address with the IRS before filing so notices reach you on time.

Refund timing after Code 570 is cleared

Once Code 570 is removed from your account, your refund enters the final stage of processing. The IRS typically issues the refund within five to seven business days. If you chose direct deposit, the money lands in your bank account within one to two business days after the IRS sends it. If you are receiving a paper check, allow seven to ten business days for it to arrive by mail.

Check Where's My Refund again after Code 570 disappears — it will now show an estimated deposit or check date. That date is usually accurate once the code is cleared. If the date passes and you do not see the money, contact your bank to confirm the deposit went through, or call the IRS if you chose a paper check.

Why Code 570 appears and how to avoid it in the future

The IRS assigns Code 570 for several reasons: your return matches a prior-year return too closely (suggesting a duplicate filing), your income or credits changed significantly from the previous year, you filed from a new address, or the IRS is running a routine fraud check on high-income or high-credit returns. You cannot always prevent it, but you can reduce the risk.

File your return as early as possible in the tax season — returns filed in January and February face fewer holds than those filed in March and April. Use the same address and name spelling as your prior returns. If you moved, update your address with the IRS before filing. Report all income, even small amounts, to avoid mismatches with wage records. And if you claim refundable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Child Tax Credit, double-check that all information is accurate and matches your Social Security card.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Code 570 usually last?

If the IRS sends you a notice, you have 30 days to respond, and the code clears one to two weeks after they receive your documents. If no notice arrives and the code clears automatically, it typically takes two to four weeks. Total time from Code 570 appearing to your refund being issued is usually three to six weeks.

Can I call the IRS to speed up Code 570?

Calling the IRS will not speed up the verification process, but it can confirm whether a notice is on the way or whether additional information is needed. Call 800-829-1040 and have your return and any notices ready. If you have already sent documents, the agent can confirm receipt.

What if I never receive the notice the IRS sent?

If 30 days pass and you have not received a notice, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 before the deadline expires. Ask them to resend the notice or to verify your mailing address. If the deadline has already passed, explain the situation and ask them to reopen the verification window.

Will Code 570 disappear on its own if I do nothing?

Only if the IRS is running an automated check that passes without requiring your action. If a notice was sent, you must respond — the code will not clear without your documents or information. Check your mail carefully and contact the IRS if you are unsure whether a notice was sent.

Does Code 570 mean my refund is denied?

No. Code 570 is a hold, not a denial. Once verification is complete, your refund is issued. The only way a refund is actually denied is if you miss the 30-day deadline to respond to a notice and do not contact the IRS afterward to reopen the case.