Key Takeaways
- Tax Topic 152 just means 'still processing' - no action is needed and it's not a bad sign on its own.
- Tax Topic 151 means your return is under review, an audit, or an offset/adjustment is being applied to your refund.
- Injured spouse claims, amended returns, and identity/income verification (including new OBBBA and 1099-DA cross-checks) are the most common reasons a return runs past the standard 21-day window.
- Tax Topic 148 (fraud alert) is the one topic that requires you to actively work with the IRS to resolve.
- Once your hold clears, expect your refund within about 10 to 14 days, confirmed by Code 846 on your transcript.
The IRS processes tax returns based on a standard set of guidelines and instructions, codified into tax codes used across its internal systems to process returns, manage discrepancies, and eventually pay refunds.
These codes are simplified into tax topics for filers, providing insight into what’s happening with a return, why there are processing delays, when a refund will be paid, or why it was lower than expected.
One of the most common ones you’ll see after filing is Tax Topic 152 (TC 152), generally shown on WMR/IRS2Go once your return has been received and is under processing (or delayed for some reason).
Tax Topic 152 is more of a catch-all, informational message about your refund processing timeline and potential delays. No additional steps are needed from you at this point.
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Should I Worry If I See Tax Topic 152 on WMR?
There’s no need to worry if you see this soon after filing. Many early filers see this message simply because the IRS is working through PATH Act holds and normal seasonal backlogs — not because of anything you did.
Most returns process within 21 days, but Tax Topic 152 may be an early indication your return has been held for further review and could take longer.
Returns can be held longer than 21 days if you’re making an injured spouse claim, filing an amended return, or your return needs additional identity or income verification — a category that’s grown in recent seasons due to new OBBBA deductions (no tax on tips, no tax on overtime) and digital asset reporting via Form 1099-DA, both of which can pause a return for automated cross-checking against employer or broker data.
Once processing resumes or an issue is identified, WMR will update to one of several other potential tax topics.
Once processing resumes, you should generally see your refund within 10 to 14 days. Code 846 on your transcript confirms payment, and WMR status moves to Refund Sent.
What Happens After Tax Topic 152 (Topic 151)?
If the tax topic changes to 151, it means your return is under a potential audit or held for further examination.
Audits happen at different levels, and for most filers, it just means an IRS agent checks the return manually and sends a letter with discrepancies, adjustments, or a payment request. You may also see codes 420 or 424 reflected on your transcript at this stage.
The topic you really don’t want to see is Tax Topic 148, which flags an IRS fraud alert followed by an identity or fraudulent-return review. You’ll need to work directly with the IRS to resolve this, and they’ll send a formal notice with details.
You can read more on Tax Topic 152 on the IRS website.
Great breakdown of IRS Tax Topics 152 and 151! It really clarifies the differences between the two and how they impact tax refunds. I appreciate the practical tips for saving to invest too. Keep up the good work!
Am I going to receive my payment after showing up topic 152 bc I have been waitin so long since April 13
Codes 151&152was an easy code to use for millions of people so they can leave your paperwork sitting around until they felt like dealing with it and finding a way with their codes to make you owe money. Just how competent are they when it takes months to send your refund is it really that difficult of a process
I Filed AAA Acounting serives for along time and they never got back at me about my tax refund at all I never had any problems at all but my refund but this year filing in march 14,2022 their is nothing their that shows I file on record when go to look for my refund it say cant help with that go back to your tax person about your refund or been process delay or tax 152 on it and its been four months now and the man who did my taxes has not told me anything at all what should I do some one give me advice what to do about this issue please.
Well, everyone what about the 90 to 120 days delay info with a 152 meaning we would wait until the 120 days that we would know something right. Tell why you hadn’t looked or done since you got it on your desk what you didn’t do was no work for a 119 days plus when you accepted on the February 7th but placed on your desk on the 17th and that means I should of known about taxes because that’s what they told me by word of mouth and you have it written down. He says to me, make a long story short that I needs to do a n amended tax and it will take twenty more weeks. I replied why would I do that because you have that written down as well that do not do a amended taxes until you receive a letter from the IRS. So everyone God bless us because I four children, wife, and self will be outdoors. Oh on top of that I am a diabetic need meds. No refund check yet. Welcome to the club I said you all trying to make back the money you gave away but you are doing off the mercy of people who works hard but struggle so much for a group of people who call their selves running America and cannot add and give the people their refund check to pay bills. Then the bill collectors can stop calling. Let’s pray hoping we get something soon.
Sincerely,
Richmond Flowers
I filed on April 15th 2022 & got a notice beginning of may that I needed to verify my identity with id.me or irs office so got my account updated & my identity verified with id.me on May 14th 2022 & immediately got a confirmation email saying I’d successfully completed the verification. So I logged back into my irs account, nothing new then about 2 weeks later when I logged in it asked me 3-4 questions about my tax filing this year & a couple questions about my requested method of payment (verify my account & routing numbers) and then again I got the congratulations for successfully confirming my info. And now I still have had absolutely no changes on my refund status yet, it’s been over 2 months since I’d e-filed with turbo tax, no bars or date yet on my refund status app, just says topic 152 STILL!!!! THIS IS RIDICULOUS FOR REAL, HAVE NEVER HAD THIS KINDA PROBLEM BEFORE EVER & this year was the most simplest of any return I’ve ever filed in my life damn near pushing 30 years worth of filing and have never been like this & I’ve heard it can be anywhere from 90 days to 9 weeks (or more) before I hear anything, needless to say actually receive it!!! But this is just 1 small example outta the multiple staggering mega’s that assure me that I need to seriously look into a citizenship that lacks government all around for real….I’m quite capable of getting myself screwed over all by myself, I don’t need corrupted people with power trips & leverage like they do to do it for me
You can say that again, Im in the same boat. I’ve never experienced anything like this before. I retired early after getting hurt on the job. I filed March 28th. How can the United States help others and they are leaving us out in the cold!?
Did your issue ever get resolved? I am having the same issue now…I suspect it is because I applied for some business forms and numbers and things.
Has anyone eventually received their returns. I’m going to be homeless very soon if I don’t get mine soon. Kinda smells a little fishy. Fuel prices are so high it’s raising the price of everything so we can’t afford to feed, our family drive to work or basically just live, and then restrict the one major thing that helps us do that every year. I bet half or more U.S. citizens can barely afford to live right now and depend on their income tax returns. Hmmmm!?!?!
I feel ya haven’t received mine either and I filled on Feb.1…Where the f*** is our $$$
This is BS. It’s our money and the IRS is doing what they want with it. It’s bad enough you have to tax our already taxed dollars. Now you gotta make us wait and wait to get our money? It’s rightfully ours. We busted our asses making it! Now hand it over.
I totally agree. I am irrate. I filed Jan 28th and still haven’t gotten my federal taxes. They should be reprimanded if it takes more than 90 days.
I filed my taxes March 6th was accepted March 7th. Still saying tax topic 152.
Does anyone know what I can do? Has anyone received there taxes after tax topic 152?
Please help, I have 6 kids and no job. Need some answers.
Thanks!
Yes. You just have to wait. See some of the other comments. You can also contact a tax advocate for extra help given your situation.
How long did it take for u to finally get it
I did my taxes Feb 9th and know saying topic 152 and haven’t heard or got my taxes yet what the ……. Is going on and hr block did my taxes.