An agreement can settle the balance and still leave a transcript full of open items: penalties nobody asked to remove, a lien still filed, a year still unfiled. Each row below is a conversation your team can have with a client, tied to something real in their file.
| Code | What it usually means | Next Step service |
|---|---|---|
| TC 140 | IRS delinquency inquiry: the IRS shows a return it expected and has not received | Back Tax Returns |
| TC 141 / 142 | Delinquency inquiry or investigation opened on the period | Back Tax Returns |
| TC 150 for $0, then TC 290 | Often an IRS-prepared substitute return, with tax assessed by adjustment | Fix an IRS-Prepared or Incorrect Return |
| TC 594 / 599 | Delinquency closed: return previously filed (594) or secured (599) | Confirm the posting; watch for a stray notice |
| Code | What it usually means | Next Step service |
|---|---|---|
| TC 160 / 166 | Failure-to-file penalty assessed (manual or computer-generated) | Penalty Removal |
| TC 276 | Failure-to-pay penalty assessed | Penalty Removal |
| TC 170 / 176 | Estimated tax penalty for inadequate estimated payments | Tax Set-Aside & Payment Plan |
| TC 186 | Federal tax deposit (FTD) penalty on a business payroll or excise return | Payroll Tax Deposit Watch |
| TC 196 | Interest assessed | Penalty Removal (interest on abated penalties comes off too) |
| Code | What it usually means | Next Step service |
|---|---|---|
| TC 420 / 424 | Return referred to Examination or Appeals | Audit Representation |
| TC 922 | Automated Underreporter review: income on information returns did not match the return | Income Mismatch Response (CP2000) |
| TC 290 / 300 | Additional tax assessed by adjustment (290) or examination (300) | Reopen a Past Audit, or IRS Appeals Representation |
| Code | What it usually means | Next Step service |
|---|---|---|
| TC 582 | Federal tax lien filed for the period | Clear a Tax Lien |
| TC 530 | Balance reported currently not collectible | Hardship Protection, then Protection While Old Debt Expires |
| TC 480 | Offer in compromise pending | Offer to Settle for Less (and protect the filing and payment terms) |
| TC 481 / 482 | Offer rejected and returned, or withdrawn or terminated | Restart a Stalled Case |
| TC 520 | IRS litigation, such as bankruptcy; may suspend the collection statute | Bankruptcy Tax Review |
| Status 60 / 64 | Installment agreement active (60) or defaulted (64) | Stay Resolved (60); Restart a Stalled Case (64) |
| Code | What it usually means | Next Step service |
|---|---|---|
| TC 898 | Refund offset to another federal or state debt through the Treasury Offset Program | Recover Your Share of a Seized Refund |
| TC 976 / 977 | Duplicate or amended return posted | Confirm the amendment processed; Amend for Savings |
| TC 846 | Refund issued | Credit & Refund Check for open years |
| Code | What it usually means | Next Step service |
|---|---|---|
| TC 960 / 961 | Power of attorney recorded on the Centralized Authorization File (960) or removed (961) | Confirms your rights as representative; see IRS Watch on representation rights |
Codes and meanings are summarized from IRS Document 6209, Section 8A (Master File codes), and simplified for quick review. A code’s meaning can depend on its document code, closing code, or action code, so confirm against the full transcript and the current Document 6209 before advising a client. This guide is general information, not tax advice for a specific situation.