IRS 810 Refund Freeze: What it means for your Tax Refund
Have you been anxiously awaiting your tax refund, only to discover a 810 refund freeze is holding it up? If so, you’re not alone. Thousands of taxpayers each year are frustrated to find this vague notice on their transcript.
But don’t panic. With some understanding of what the 810 freeze means, you can take steps to get your hard-earned refund released. This guide will explain everything you need to know, including:
- What exactly is a 810 refund freeze?
- The most common reasons for the 810 freeze
- How to lift the freeze and get your refund
- Answers to frequently asked questions
- Key takeaways to remember
So if you’ve been scratched your head over IRS code 810, read on for the clarity and peace of mind you deserve.
What exactly is a 810 refund freeze?
The 810 refund freeze, also known as the TC 810 hold, is a temporary delay of your tax refund. The 810 code is placed on your transcript by the IRS to halt release of your refund until an issue is resolved.
This hold does not necessarily mean anything is wrong. In many cases, it’s just an automated precaution triggered by something unusual about your return.
The 810 refund freeze simply signals the IRS needs to verify information before sending your refund. Once they confirm everything checks out, the freeze will lift and your money will be released.
Why the vague code with no explanation?
You may be frustrated (and rightfully so!) that the IRS doesn’t explain the reason for the freeze on your transcript.
Unfortunately, limited IRS resources mean most actions are automated without personalized details. Rest assured, though, there are very logical reasons your refund could trigger an 810 freeze.
It's not permanent (Usually)
The good news is an 810 freeze is usually temporary. Once they get the information needed to verify your return, they will lift the freeze. Most are resolved within a few weeks.
However, if the IRS finds real issues that need correction, it can become a lengthier process. That’s why it’s important to understand potential triggers, so you can take swift action to get your refund released.
The most common 810 refund freeze reasons
While the IRS doesn’t explain the specific reason for each 810 refund freeze, there are some common triggers the code is frequently associated with. Being aware of these can help you identify and address the potential issue.
Here are the most common reasons for a refund hold:
1. Missing information from your tax return
One of the top reasons for the hold is that your tax return is missing some key information. Common missing items include:
- Social security numbers for you, your spouse, or dependents
- Birth dates for you, your spouse, or dependents
- Signatures on the return
- Supporting tax forms like W-2s or 1099s
Double check your return to ensure all individuals and incomes are accurately reported. Make sure everything is signed. If information is missing, amend your return to provide the required details.
2. Math errors on your tax return
Another prevalent trigger of the freeze is simple math errors on your tax return. With so many complex IRS rules, innocent mistakes do happen.
Double check your return calculations and make sure everything adds up correctly. Pay particular attention to figures that carry over from supporting tax forms.
If you find mistakes, file an amended tax return with the corrections as soon as possible.
3. Your income changed significantly
If your income changed substantially between tax years, that could also lead to a refund freeze. Situations like:
- Getting a new higher-paying job
- Cashing out a retirement account
- Selling valuable property or assets
Large variations in income raise flags if deductions and tax amounts don’t align with past returns. Be sure your return accurately reflects significant income changes. Be ready to provide paperwork explaining the reasons behind a major income swing.
4. You have an outstanding tax debt
Do you have an outstanding balance due for past tax years? The IRS will use your refund to offset unpaid tax debts. This leads to a 810 refund freeze while they verify the amount owed.
If you have unresolved tax debts, contact them to make arrangements for back taxes. You may be able to set up a payment plan to get your current refund released.
5. Your bank account is closed or changed
Finally, if you closed the bank account you used for past refunds, it can trigger a verification holdup. The same thing applies if your account number changed for any reason.
Double check the bank account on your tax return. Make any necessary changes to routing and account numbers. If the account you used previously closed, be sure to provide updated direct deposit information.
How to get your 810 refund freeze lifted
Now that you know what likely caused the 810 refund freeze, here are the steps to take for getting your tax refund released:
1. Confirm your return is complete & accurate
First, thoroughly review your entire tax return. Make absolutely sure it is 100% complete and accurate with everything the IRS requires, including:
- Correct identifying information (SSNs, birthdays, etc.)
- Full reporting of all income shown on W-2s, 1099s, etc.
- Proper forms attached (W-2s, 1099s, schedules)
- Accurate math without errors
- Bank routing & account numbers for direct deposit
- All required signatures & dates
Correct any errors or missing information by filing an amended return ASAP.
2. Contact the IRS
If you are certain your return is complete, then reach out to the IRS directly to see if they require any additional information from you.
The best way is to call the IRS refund hotline at 800-829-1954. Be patient as hold times can be long. Have your recent tax return and any supporting documents handy when you call.
Clearly explain an 810 freeze is holding your refund and ask what is needed to release it. Provide any additional details the agent requests.
If additional forms are needed, follow up promptly to get them submitted. Stay cordial and cooperative to facilitate processing.
3. Pay any back taxes owed
If you have unpaid taxes from previous years, you’ll need to address that to get your refund released.
Contact the IRS to find out your balance owed. Discuss payment plan options if you cannot pay in full. At minimum, make a good faith payment to demonstrate you are resolving your tax debt.
Once arrangements are made for old tax balances, request your current refund be released per IRS procedures. Be persistent and escalate if needed to reach someone who can resolve both issues.
4. Follow up frequently
Delays are common, so persistence pays off. If your refund remains frozen after amending your return and contacting the IRS, follow up regularly for status updates.
Call back each week or two to check if any other actions are required to lift the freeze. Taking a proactive approach shows you are eagerly trying to cooperate with resolving the situation.
5. Escalate to the Taxpayer Advocate
As a last resort if you hit roadblocks, elevate your case to the Taxpayer Advocate Service. This IRS department exists solely to help taxpayers resolve issues like stuck refunds.
To start a case, submit IRS Form 911. Clearly describe your refund delay situation and what actions you have taken to resolve it. Provide any evidence you have as well.
The Taxpayer Advocate assigns a case worker who can investigate why your refund is stuck and push for resolution on your behalf. This adds important leverage for getting your money released.
How long does an 810 refund freeze last?
The IRS legally has up to 9 weeks to review returns and release frozen refunds. However, most 810 freezes only last 1-2 weeks if you quickly verify your info.
Simple identity confirmation cases are resolved quickly. More complex issues like suspected fraud can extend the freeze timeline.
Here is the typical 810 refund freeze timeline:
- 1-2 weeks to verify basic personal information like social security number, birthdate, address, etc.
- 1-2 months for more detailed identity authentication including past tax info, employer info, etc.
- 2-3 months if the IRS requests mailed supporting documents like W-2s, 1099s, proof of income, etc.
- Up to 9 months in long-running fraud investigations and audits. Complex cases with legal implications take considerable time.
Bottom line – the faster you respond to IRS inquiries, the faster you’ll thaw your frozen refund. Prioritize providing the requested info ASAP.
How to check your refund status
While calling the IRS may not be tremendously useful, you can (and should) check your tax transcript regularly for status updates. Your transcript will reflect when they lift your refund freeze and schedules your payout.
To check your transcript, you need to either register for an IRS online account or request transcripts by mail. Transcripts are key for tracking refunds because they show behind-the-scenes progress long before “Where’s My Refund” updates.
Some signs on your transcript that your 810 hold may be lifted include:
- Code 846 Refund Issued – This means your freeze is lifted and refund sent!
- Code 290 Additional Account Action Pending – The IRS is in final processing stages.
- Disappearance of Code 810 – If 810 vanishes, your freeze has likely been resolved.
- Higher Refund Amount – When the IRS releases some frozen funds, the transcript refund amount increases.
So keep a sharp eye on your transcript. It contains the best intel about the status of your 810 refund freeze. Check weekly or set up email alerts for transcript updates.
Key takeaways for IRS 810 refund freezes
Having your tax refund delayed by an IRS 810 refund freeze can be stressful and frustrating. But stay calm and focus on resolving the problem with these key tips:
- The 810 refund freeze simply means the IRS needs to verify details before releasing your refund. It does not necessarily mean anything is wrong.
- Review your entire tax return carefully to correct any missing or inaccurate information by filing an amended return.
- Contact the IRS to cooperate with any additional info they need to lift the freeze. Follow up persistently.
- Pay back taxes owed from previous years to remove offsets holding your refund.
- If delays continue, submit Form 911 to the Taxpayer Advocate for additional help.
- Most 810 refund freezes resolve within weeks once the IRS has the required verification details from you.
Stay organized with tracking your actions and documentation. Getting through the IRS processes takes patience, but you can get your refund released by diligently working through the proper channels.
The 810 refund freeze undoubtedly causes anxiety as you eagerly await your tax refund. But take comfort knowing there are logical reasons for the holdup and clear steps you can take to get your money released as quickly as possible.
