IRS code 806: W-2 or 1099 withholding

Federal income tax withheld from your pay and other income, credited to the account. Here is what it means, what usually happens next, and what to do.

Return posted & creditsNormal / good newsTransaction code 806Free transcript decoder

What TC 806 means

On your account transcript it reads: 806  W-2 or 1099 withholding Normal / good news

TC 806 credits the federal income tax withheld from your wages and other income — box 2 on your W-2s and the federal withholding on 1099s and similar forms — as reported on your return. It is dated the return's original due date (for most individuals, April 15), because withholding is treated as paid on that day, whatever date your return actually posted.

Reversal code: TC 807 — Withholding credit reversed. When it posts after this code, the effect above is undone.

Also written as: IRS code 806, code 806 on transcript, 806 IRS code, transaction code 806.

What usually happens next

The 806 amount is compared with what employers and payers reported to the IRS. If they do not match, the refund can be reduced (a CP12 explains the change) or held while the IRS verifies wages (a Letter 4800C or a 570 hold). A TC 807 later on the transcript reverses some or all of the credit.

TC 806 with other codes

On the same transcriptWhat it usually means
806 + 846Withholding credited and refund issued — the common happy path.
806 then 807Part of the withholding credit was reversed — usually because it does not match the W-2 or 1099 on file.
806 + 570Withholding is being verified before release; watch for a 4800C or CP05.

What to do about TC 806

1

Check it against your forms

Add up the federal withholding on every W-2 and 1099. A mismatch with the 806 amount explains most refund changes.

2

Do not read the date as a deposit date

April 15 on an 806 line is a legal convention, not a processing milestone.

3

If there is an 807, look for the letter

A reversal is almost always followed by a CP12 or 4800C — respond with the corrected W-2 or pay records.

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Notices and guides that go with TC 806

Frequently asked questions

Why is TC 806 dated April 15 when I filed in February?

Withholding is deemed paid on the original due date of the return, so the IRS posts it with that date regardless of when the return processed.

What does TC 807 mean?

It reverses a withholding credit: the IRS removed some or all of the 806 amount, commonly because the W-2 on file shows different withholding. A notice explaining the change usually follows.

Where do I see TC 806?

On your IRS account transcript for the tax year — in your IRS Online Account under tax records, or by mail using Form 4506-T. The transactions section lists each code with its description, date and amount. Return transcripts do not show transaction codes.

Is "IRS code 806" the same as TC 806?

Yes. IRS code 806, code 806 on transcript, transaction code 806 and TC 806 all refer to the same three-digit transaction code the IRS posts to your account.

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