Tax Topic 152

The Truth About Topic 152

tax topic 152

Tax Topics are displayed when people check Where’s My Refund on the IRS website. The most common is Tax Topic 152. These tax topics are a way that the IRS communicates with taxpayers about the status of their tax refund. Rest assured, Tax Topic 152 is not something to be worried about and it’s not some magical indicator as to where your return is in the course of processing. It is a default tax topic the IRS uses as a status when you check Where’s My Refund.

What does Tax Topic 152 Mean?

When you see this tax topic, it doesn’t require any additional steps. It is a normal part of processing. It doesn’t mean there is an error on your return or that it is delayed. The topic doesn’t mean your return is finished processing. It simply means your return is being processed. Point blank. Period. There are many “theories” you will see on groups and websites, but there is no truth to these.

People wake up bleary-eyed, roll over to reach for their phone and open the IRS2Go app or go to the IRS Where’s My Refund tool. A few seconds to type the SSN, select the filing status and enter the expected refund amount. What happens next will quite possibly set the day’s mood.

Am I losing my refund because I never paid that parking ticket?

No.

Oh no! My unpaid state taxes have caught up with me!

No.

Was Tax Topic 152 there yesterday? Why would they add it?

It may or may not have been there yesterday. It may be gone tomorrow. There doesn’t appear to be any logical explanation for when Topic 152 shows up. But when it does, you are going to be ready with the information we give you!

Tax Topic 152 explains how refunds are distributed and timing. It’s there to give taxpayers basic information about how tax refunds are processed and distributed.

It serves as one more reminder that the IRS needs 10-21 days to process a refund after receiving your tax return. It explains how to check your refund and points you Topic 303. Tax Topic 303 is a list of reasons why your refund processing may be delayed.

What it doesn’t do is serve as a magical indicator that you will wake up to a direct deposit date. In fact, you may see the topic appear and disappear several times during the time that it takes them to process your return. It also doesn’t mean your refund will be delayed.

The most most frequently asked question about Tax Topic 152 explains that it is not something to be worried about. Here is what the IRS says about Tax Topic 152.