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.
I did filed my tax on 3/10/2020. Few mins later, i got accepted because i used Taxslayer to did the filing. Few days later, got code 152 tax topic. The tax topic 152 disappear and my status is now saying Still been procced that, a refund date will be provide when available. Till this moment, still saying the same thing. Is IRS scamming us? This doesn’t looks right. I’m broke and unemployed now, i need my money. Anyone got their return yet to their account?
Mine says the same thing this year and tax topic 152 disappeared, what ever happened with yours? Thanks so much!
Just means still processing. Wait for the IRS to complete and you’ll know next steps or get your refund payment.
I did my taxes February 2, 2022 and still haven’t received anything I got the Code 152 And as today it’s saying the same thing. And the people that did my taxes they won’t call me back or answer my text
I filed my taxes Mar 29 of 2022 And it’s said it being processed at first now it’s telling me my information don’t match what does that mean..,..
I RECEIVED THE FIRST AND SECOND STIMULUS. 3RD STIMULUS WAS SENT BUT NEVER DID I RECEIVE IT JUST A LETTER INFORMING ME THAT IT WAS SENT.
NOW THAT I DID WHAT I HAD TO DO AS FAR AS TRACKING IT DOWN THROUGH IRS IT’S NOW 152 TAGGED THOUGH ACCEPTED AFTER ALL.
AFTER READING PEOPLE COMMENTS I WONDER HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO WAIT TO BE RESENT WHAT I HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED.
Yes this is some bullsh#@ right here. There may be a delay due to the covid 19, HORSESH!T!!!!! COME ON…… HOW ABOUT DURING THE REAL COVID 19 PANDEMIC- I GOT MY TAXES BACK WITH NO DELAYS FOR 2 YEARS AND NOW THIS????? IT MAKES NO SENSE!!!! WHY DONT YOU JUST ADMIT YOUR KEEPING OUR MONEY AS LONG AS YOU CAN TO COLLECT THE INTEREST OFF OF IT, while people who earned that money are unemployed and seriously need it to get by. AND WOULDNT YOU KNOW IT CANT SPEAK TO A SOUL AT THE IRS… PEOPLE SHOULD REVOLT!!!
I been waiting since jan 31st & still nothing but topic 152
H&R block did my tax filing they don’t know what’s wrong I have waited a long time for my refund I need an answer for delay no one can tell me why or where it is please tell me something this isn’t tax money it’s my ss money
I WAS ACCEPTED ON 1/29 I TOO STILL HAVE TOPIC 152!!! THIS IS HORRIBLE FIRST TIME EVER I HAD TO WAIT THIS LONG!!! WHAT IS GOING ON!! ITS GONE ON TOO LONG WE WANT ANSWERS LIKE NOW!!
I filed my taxes on Jan 30th and still no refund it says topic 152. I really need my refund and they are just holding my taxes I don’t understand why they are still holding them
Did my granddaughters taxes on February 2, wasn’t even 21 days got the topic 152. Still sitting at that today. She needs her refund, can’t get through to anyone at IRS. So frustrating.
Filed ourself online thru H & Block, direct deposit. Very simple. e-file sent Feb.14, It’s accepted on Feb.15.
Checked irs2go Feb.20 said same, processing delayed …code 152.
Contacted H &R Block. Every where they researched say same thing. They even called their # for irs with no answer… We were told to give it to April 1st, if no refund then call them back…
U been wa4 since January 28 keep saying delay 152 wish it hurry up I’m broke not working right now
Yes I filed my taxes on February 04,2022 and my processing has been readin code 152 since mid February. How long is it really taking IRS to send refunds. I already know about standard processing times. The IRS isn’t operating by that at this point we need truthful answers
Are you still seeing tax topic 152?
I did my taxes on January 31 2022. It’s going on way past 30 days it’s been 42 days to be exact. All I see when I check the IRS site is the topic 152 message. Honestly if I would’ve known claiming the EITC credit would’ve made the wait so long I would’ve just did my taxes regular. It’s funny how when you owe the IRS they have 0 problems taking money from you, but when they owe us it’s always some kind of problem goin on.
Absolutely, This makes no sense IRS should have had our refunds in our accounts by now…we have no control over this situation that’s what’s frustrating me and my wife at this point. Prayers up
My thoughts exactly
Thats exactly what i said. They waste no time penalizing and taking your money away but this bs is unacceptable. Im still waiting since february with the same topic 152 on the app
I have bars up now they gone i did my taxes on the 8 of last month 2022 it just shows that its still processing. Will I get something in the mail or will I still get my refund on my card
I filed Jan 28th and for three weeks my return has said sorry delayed check topic 152 so on so fourth it’s been almost a month and a half now what does this mean and what should I do I can’t get any answers out of anyone on the phone with its and the department. I need to talk to just keeps saying sorry do to extremely high call volume we can’t take your call at this time
I’m going through the same thing. It’s been 40 days since I filed electronically with direct deposit. After waiting for 2 hrs on hold with the irs I finally got a live agent that had no clue what was taking so long and why it’s stuck on processing and code 152. Told me to check where’s my refund again on April 7 and if it hasn’t changed to call back. Frustrating!!!
Have you gotten your refunds now?
My tax refund says exceeded limit and when I check again this morning, it says still being processed with no tax topic and I can see my expected tax amount, it’s 15 days today please should I panic?
It gives that message when you have check WMR website. just check back tomorrow. I am manifesting everyone who have commented under this post, will receive their refund March 16th manifesting this in the name of ELOHEEM I’ve done some research notice the rumors are IRS will be sending DD to accounts for those who failed anywhere between 1/31 & 2/13
This means the irs is still looking at your return just gotta be patient and wait and pray that we get it soon
I to received topic 152 very simple return with only credits I qualified for .it has been 16 days nit even 21 days?
I have been waiting 18 Days now I have 152 page is that bad I haven’t been waiting 21 Days yet.
Not necessarily an issue at this stage as IRS is still processing/reviewing your return. If after 30 days, may be less optimistic as could be under further reviews. Not much you can do till then though.
If I made a mistake on my refund please let me know because I’m not really sure if I did it right. Sorry for the inconvenience.
I hear ya! I did my taxes on hrblock.com for the first time, as I worked for HR Block for a few years before that. I was accepted on Mar 1 and then it said pending, and then after around 21 days got the Code 152 and as of today it’s saying the same thing. Went last week over to HR Block to have them check out my return to see if I possibly did something wrong and was willing to amend it if so, but she said everything looked fine…so not sure what’s going on. Last year the IRS did an audit on my simple return and now this. Very frustrating! Hope you have found answers by now.