It is February 23, 2026. If you filed in late January like I did, you probably expected that sweet direct deposit notification by now. The average refund this year is trending higher—nearly $3,000 thanks to the new standard deduction bumps—but for thousands of us, the “Where’s My Refund” (WMR) tool is stuck on a maddening loop: “We have received your return and it is being processed.”
Here is the Bottom Line Up Front:
If your status hasn’t moved in 21 days, do not just wait. I found out the hard way that a “Processing” freeze usually means the IRS sent a 5071C Letter (Identity Verification) that hasn’t arrived in your mailbox yet. You can preemptively fix this by logging into your IRS.gov Online Account today.
The “Silent” Freeze of 2026
I filed on January 28. TurboTax said “Accepted.” My estimated deposit date was February 18.
Feb 18 came and went. Nothing.
I checked WMR every morning. No tax topic 152. No bars. Just “Processing.”
I finally logged into my IRS Online Account and saw it: a notification under the “Notices and Letters” tab.
- Code: 5071C
- Action: “Verify your identity to process your return.”
Because of the massive surge in high-dollar refunds this year (due to the OBBB tax cuts), the IRS fraud filters are hyper-aggressive. They flagged my return simply because the refund amount ($3,240) was significantly higher than last year.
How to Unfreeze Your Money (Step-by-Step)
If you are in the same boat, stop checking WMR. It won’t update until you verify.
- Log in to ID.me: Go to the IRS Identity Verification Service.
- Have Documents Ready: You need your 2025 return (Form 1040) and your 2024 return.
- Answer the Questions: They will ask for specific numbers from your tax forms (e.g., “What was your Adjusted Gross Income on line 11?”).
The “Code 570” Trap
Sometimes, it’s not identity theft. If you check your Account Transcript and see Code 570 (Additional Account Action Pending), it often means a math error.
- Common 2026 Error: Mismatching the new “Overtime Deduction” or “Tips Deduction.” If your W-2 doesn’t perfectly match what you claimed, the computer freezes the refund automatically.
Status Codes Cheat Sheet
I compiled this based on what the IRS agents told me:
| Transcript Code | Meaning | Action Required |
| 846 | Refund Issued | None! Money is on the way. |
| 570 | Account Hold | Wait for a CP05 or 4464C letter. |
| 971 | Notice Issued | Check your “Notices” tab online. |
| 810 | Refund Freeze | Serious audit/fraud flag. Call IRS. |
Once I verified my identity online, my transcript updated to Code 846 exactly 7 days later. Don’t wait for the paper mail—it’s too slow this year.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Always consult official government resources.
Evan Cole Editor-in-Chief | Breaking News & Public Policy
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