Tax Topic 152: Know Why Your Refund is Delayed?
Have you been anxiously waiting for your tax refund, only to be met with the confusing Tax Topic 152 message? If so, you’re not alone in waiting to receive your refund. Millions of Americans count on their refunds, processed typically within 21 days, to pay bills or add to their savings. Receiving notification that your refund is delayed can cause frustration and worry.
The good news? Receiving a Tax Topic 152 notice doesn’t necessarily mean anything is wrong. Your refund may just need some extra processing time. With some patience and understanding of what’s going on behind the scenes, you can get your hard-earned refund as quickly as possible.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about Tax Topic 152. You’ll learn what it means, reasons your refund could be delayed, and steps to track your refund status so you can get your money ASAP. Let’s dive in!
What is tax topic 152?
Tax topic 152 is an internal reference code used by the IRS. It simply indicates your tax return is now being processed after being received by the agency.
Many people assume tax topic 152 means their refund will arrive shortly after receiving the notice. However, it merely signifies your return is now in the processing pipeline and the IRS will approve and issue your refund after thorough review.
As the IRS processes over 150 million tax returns each year, they require time to verify filings for accuracy and completeness. So you may not receive your crumbs as quickly as hoped! But a Tax Topic 152 notification means progress, nonetheless.
What does “still being processed” mean?
Seeing a tax topic 152/still being processed message can initially be puzzling. What exactly is the IRS doing behind the scenes?
Essentially, Tax Topic 152 means your return is open on an IRS agent’s desk. As the agent reviews your filing, they will:
- Verify your personal information against IRS databases
- Check your income against data provided by employers
- Confirm you calculated deductions, credits, and other figures appropriately
- Scrutinize for errors, suspicious activity, or inconsistencies that could require further review
This process ensures you receive the proper refund amount and helps prevent fraudulent returns. The IRS prioritizes accuracy over speed.
As long as your filing is truthful with no issues, you can expect an approved refund in due time after receiving a Tax Topic 152 notice.
Reasons your tax refund could be delayed
While Tax Topic 152 itself is generally nothing to panic over, it does signify you may need to wait patiently for your refund.
The IRS issues 90% of e-filed returns within 21 days. Paper filed returns typically take 4-6 weeks. If it’s been longer than that, here are common reasons for refund delays:
- Errors/Incomplete Information – Simple mistakes can grind refunds to a halt. Double check for errors if it’s been over 21 days.
- Identity Verification – The IRS holds suspicious returns until verifying identity with documents.
- Too Much Income – Those claiming refundable tax credits, such as the earned income tax credit or child tax credit, with income exceeding allowed limits may see delays.
- Tax Law Changes – Major tax law shakeups cause the agency to take more time processing returns.
- Budget Cuts – Staffing and budget cuts over the years result in more extensive refund delays.
- Peak Tax Season – Excess returns around April 15 overwhelm IRS staff and its outdated systems.
Again, receiving Tax Topic 152 doesn’t definitively mean any issues exist. It’s merely a processing milestone. But one or more of the above factors could tack on some extra weeks before you get your cash.
How long after seeing tax topic 152 will I receive my refund?
The IRS legally must issue refunds within 45 days of the return received date. However, if any issues cause “further review,” it technically can take much longer before your check arrives.
I probably sound like a broken record, but delays don’t necessarily indicate problems with your specific return. Tax season brings over 150 million filings fluttering onto the desks of IRS examiners. They tackle as many as possible within the 45 day window, but some inevitably take longer.
How to check your refund status
Fortunately, the IRS provides tools to check the status of your refund so impatient taxpayers like me don’t lose sleep worrying.
First and foremost, you should use the IRS Where’s My Refund tool. Available on IRS.gov or through the official IRS2Go app, it’s the best way to monitor your refund without getting the call center runaround.
To check online, simply provide your Social Security Number, filing status, and exact expected refund amount. The tool displays the most up-to-date refund information. It’s updated just once daily, usually overnight, so resist checking compulsively!
What if where’s my refund shows the dreaded tax topic 152 message?
As you now know, it indicates your return is still churning through processing. But if it’s been over 21 days since e-filing or 6 weeks since mailing in your forms, it may prove prudent to pick up the phone.
Calling the IRS for Tax Refund Status If refreshing Where’s My Refund becomes too maddening, calling 1-800-829-1954 is another option to request refund status or ask questions.
A couple tips to actually speak with an agent and get helpful info:
- Know that hold times often exceed 30 minutes. Try calling early on Tuesday or after 8 pm on weeknights when call volumes are lower.
- Have your most recent tax return, any letters from the IRS, and last year’s return handy before calling. This provides necessary information to pull up your account.
- Jot down the representative’s name and badge ID number for reference. You likely won’t speak with the same person if calling back.
- Double check answers if anything seems unclear or confusing. Misinformation won’t help resolve delays.
When to take further action
Hopefully the refund tracking steps above provide everything you need to rest easy while the IRS processes your return. But if you’ve waited months beyond the typical windows, additional action may help get to the bottom of what’s holding things up.
Here are signs it makes sense to pursue other options:
- It’s been over 45 days since filing and your refund still has a Tax Topic 152 status.
- Where’s My Refund shows “Return Received” or incorrect processing message beyond typical timeframes.
- You received an IRS notice with confusing or concerning information about your refund.
- Calling the IRS has resulted in unreliable information or no further clarity.
Under these circumstances, it’s recommend contacting a tax professional, certified public accountant (CPA), enrolled agent, or the Taxpayer Advocate Service. They have more resources and capabilities to interface with the IRS on your behalf.
The Taxpayer Advocate fields around 5-6 million cases per year helping taxpayers understand notices, fix delays, and resolve other IRS troubles like erroneous audits or levies. They typically resolve most taxpayer issues within 90 days. And their services are free!
How to get your tax refund ASAP
Waiting and wondering when your hard-earned tax refund finally arrives is zero fun. But a Tax Topic 152 notice or refund delay doesn’t have to cause heartburn!
By understanding what Tax Topic 152 means – and doesn’t mean – you save yourself needless worrying. The IRS could be holding up your return for any number of reasons as they handle incredible summer volumes.
Rather than panicking or constantly calling to check status, use the handy online Where’s My Refund tool and call sparingly. Taking a breath and knowing delays are common this time of year also helps manage expectations about when to receive your refund.
If you have further questions or finally hit day 46 with no direct deposit in sight, don’t hesitate to pull in professional help from a qualified tax expert. They have the savvy to get your return back on track.
Stay the course and try to be patient. With the right tools and mindset, you’ll have that long-awaited refund in hand soon enough!
