Why refunds are held, how IRS identity checks work, and why deposits often appear suddenly afterward

One of the most common reasons taxpayers experience refund delays today is IRS identity verification. As cases of tax-related identity theft continue to rise, the IRS has implemented stronger security filters that flag returns showing unusual or suspicious activity. When a return is flagged, your refund is immediately held—often without notice—until you confirm your identity through the IRS process.

Once verification is successfully completed, the IRS typically releases the refund quickly, which is why many taxpayers suddenly see an IRS TREAS 310 Tax Ref deposit appear in their bank account even though they did not receive an email, call, or status update beforehand.

This tutorial explains why the IRS demands identity verification, how the letters function, what codes appear on your IRS transcript, and what to expect once you complete the verification.

Why the IRS Requires Identity Verification

The IRS employs powerful fraud detection filters to safeguard individuals and the federal government against false files. Returns are compared against prior-year information, employer wage reports, and suspicious filing patterns. If something looks inconsistent, the IRS pauses the return and requests verification.

A return may be flagged for reasons such as:

A major change in income or filing status
Someone else attempted to claim the same dependent
W-2 or 1099 data does not match employer submissions
An unusually large refund compared to previous years
Filing occurred from a new address, device, or location
More than one return was filed using your Social Security Number

These triggers do not indicate wrongdoing. They merely ask the IRS to validate that you are the one who filed the return.

The Two Main IRS Identity Verification Letters

1. IRS 4883C Letter – Phone or In-Person Verification

The 4883C letter requires taxpayers to call the IRS or verify their identity at a local IRS office. During verification, an IRS agent may ask for:

Your prior-year tax return
Details from the return you just filed
Personal identifying information
Information about dependents or filing status

Verification should be performed within 30 days, although the IRS will still process refunds if done later.

2. IRS 5071C Letter – Online Verification Using ID.me or IRS Portal

The 5071C letter directs taxpayers to verify their identity online. To complete this, you will need:

A smartphone or computer
A valid government-issued photo ID
Social Security Number
Access to prior-year tax information

Once online verification is successful, the return moves back into processing.

What Happens to Your Refund During Identity Verification

Before you verify your identity, your refund is placed on hold with internal freeze codes such as:

810 — Refund Freeze (Potential Fraud Review)
570 — Additional Processing / Refund Hold

These codes prevent the IRS from issuing your refund, even if your return is completely proper.

After successful verification, new codes appear:

571 — Hold Released
846 — Refund Issued

Once Code 846 appears on your transcript, the refund usually arrives in your bank account as IRS TREAS 310 TAX REF within 2–5 business days.

Why IRS TREAS 310 Refunds Often Appear Suddenly After Verification

Many taxpayers describe waking up to a surprise refund deposit without obtaining a confirmation notice from the IRS. This happens because:

The IRS releases verified refunds in large nightly processing batches
Refunds move immediately once fraud filters are cleared
Mailed notices explaining the release take longer to arrive
System updates often occur overnight, creating same-day or next-day deposits

Although the deposit feels random, it is directly tied to your completed verification.

How Long Refunds Take After Identity Verification

Processing time varies depending on the verification method and whether the return needs additional review.

Typical timeframes include:

Online verification (ID.me): 3–10 days
Phone verification: 2–4 weeks
In-person appointment at IRS office: 3–9 weeks

Returns with additional issues—such as mismatched W-2s, questioned credits, or prior-year discrepancies—may require more time.

When You Should Contact the IRS After Verification

You should contact the IRS only if:

More than 9 weeks have passed with no refund
Your transcript still shows freeze codes (810 or 570)
Code 846 has not appeared even after verification
Your return shows no movement or updates

Most refunds are released immediately once identity is verified, so contacting the IRS is only necessary if delays exceed standard processing times.

Final Thoughts

Identity verification can be uncomfortable, but it is a basic IRS security procedure designed to keep taxpayers safe from fraud. Once verification is complete, your IRS TREAS 310 refund typically releases quickly, often arriving before you receive any mailed confirmation. Understanding freeze codes, timelines, and verification letters helps you know exactly what to expect from the process.

If your refund suddenly appears after identity verification, it is normal—and usually a sign that your return has cleared the IRS security queue successfully.

IRS Identity Verification ; How It Affects Your IRS TREAS 310 Tax Ref Deposit