What do three-digit IRS codes on taxes mean?

Taxes can be confusing, but they don’t have to be. With a slew of numbers, acronyms and deadlines, it can be challenging to figure out how to interpret your returns.

Let’s start with transaction codes, the threedigit codes that signify an Internal Revenue Service action related to your taxes, such as a credit or debit.

The codes help create a history of your account. An “R” following a transaction code shows that the transaction has been reversed.

Here are the most common to know this tax season:

Code 826 means that part of your tax refund was used to pay an existing tax debt.

Code 846 signals a refund, plus any interest, has been approved by the

IRS.

Code 570 means there is a hold on your account that’s preventing the IRS from finalizing your refund. You should wait for the IRS to ask you for additional information.

Code 971 means the IRS has asked you for additional information on an issue, and it’s typically related to code 570.

You can view all of the IRS codes on their website, but here are some typically seen on tax returns:

000: Adds a new taxpayer entity to the applicable Master File, which is a running record of IRS actions related to your account.

011: Change Employer Identification Number, Social Security number or plan number

013: Changes the name of the account or plan

017: Adds or changes spouse’s Social Security number

091: Revocation of being taxed as a small business

150: A Master File Entity was created from your return and tax liability assessed

177: Abatement of estimated tax penalty

424: This is an examination request indicator; your return was referred to the Examination or Appeals Division

425: Reversed transaction code 424

766: Generated refundable credit allowance

768: credit

810: Refund freeze 811: Reverse refund freeze

9001: An error code that shows an attempt to access information using the wrong Social Security number or Taxpayer Identification Number.

Earned income