Do you want to know what the IRS transcript code means? Did you get an error code on WMR instead? IRS Transcript Codes And WMR Reference
The IRS Refund Status Tool (formerly known as “Where’s My Refund”) and the IRS2Go app have a lot of reference codes that people want to know what they imply. A lot of people who file their taxes are getting IRS Reference Codes back, but they don’t know what they mean or if they are in trouble. IRS Transcript Codes And WMR Reference Codes
“What do the different codes on the IRS tax transcript mean?” is a close second for individuals who check their transcript every day throughout tax season.
If you don’t want to worry about transcript codes, you may find out when to expect your tax return by looking at the When To Expect My Tax return Tax Calendar. IRS Transcript Codes And WMR Reference Codes
Also, if you see a generic notification that reads “Refer to Tax Topic 152,” it only means to read these instructions about how to obtain your refund. You may find Tax Topic 152 here.
You can find a list of typical mistakes and problems here: IRS Where’s My Refund typical Questions. IRS Transcript Codes And WMR Reference
What Is A Tax Transcript, And Why Does It Matter?
The IRS tax transcript is the readout of your personal IRS Master File account where your tax return is processed. Every tax filer has an account at the IRS tied to your Social Security or Taxpayer ID number, and you can pull the transcript of everything happening to your file.
Transcript Codes show what actions are being performed on your tax file. Savvy filers know that they can pull their tax transcript and potentially see when they will be getting their tax refund early. It will also show any errors or issues.
Common things you can see in your tax transcript:
- When your tax refund is set to be issued
- If your tax refund is subject to offset
- Any adjustments to your tax refund
- And issues or IRS notices
The transaction list is in the lower half of your tax transcript, and you can see the codes and dates of transactions.
Important IRS Transcript Codes
Now that you know what to look for, what codes should you be checking? Here are the “most important” IRS transcript codes that you should know.
The main code everyone looks for is 846, which means your tax refund will be issued!
Full List IRS Transaction Codes
There are a LOT of transaction codes that can appear on your tax transcript. Some of these apply to personal returns, and other codes may only apply to entity (business) returns. IRS Transcript Codes And WMR Reference
IRS WMR Error And Reference Codes
Here are the IRS Where’s My Refund Tool Reference codes. This is slightly different than your tax transcript. These error codes are specific to the WMR app (Where’s My Refund app).
You read this chart by first looking for your code, then seeing what the error is. Each error has a specific set of steps that the IRS will follow, called Inquiry Response Procedure. Here is the list of what the IRM Codes mean.
These are the IRS Reference Codes we’ve been able to source for the IRS internal documentation. If you’re seeing new codes or something different, please drop a comment below so we can research it.
1001 – Refund paper check mailed more than 4 weeks ago
1021 – BFS part offset, check mailed more than 4 weeks ago (contact BFS at 1-800-304-3107)
1061 – BFS part offset, direct deposit more than 1 week ago (contact BFS at 1-800-304-3107)
1081 – IRS full or partial offset, paper check mailed more than 4 weeks ago
1091 – IRS full or partial offset, direct deposit more than one week ago
1101 – No data, taxpayer filed paper return more than 6 weeks ago
1102 – No data, taxpayer filed electronic return more than 3 weeks ago
1121 – Problem identified; P-Freeze (We’ve discovered that this is typically a typo on the return)
1141 – Refund delayed liability on another account (this means you owe a government entity money)
1161 – Refund delayed, bankruptcy on account
1181 – Refund delayed, pulled for review, not within 7 cycles conduct account analysis
1201 – All other conditions not covered by a status code conduct account analysis
1221 – Refund delayed, pulled for review, within 7 cycles conduct account analysis
1241 – Paper return received more than 6 weeks ago; in review, notice for additional information will be received
1242 – Electronic return received more than 3 weeks ago; –E Freeze; in review, notice for additional information will be received
1261 – Paper return received more than 6 weeks ago; –Q Freeze; in review, notice for additional information will be received
1262 – Electronic return received more than 3 weeks ago; -Q Freeze; in review, notice for additional information will be received
1301 – Fact of Filing Electronic return received more than 3 weeks ago; no other information See IRM 21.4.1.3.1.2, Return Found/Not Processed
1341 – Refund delayed, liability on another account
1361 – Refund withheld for part/full payment of another tax liability
1381 – Refund withheld for part/full payment of another tax liability
1401 – Refund withheld for part/full payment of another tax liability
1421 – Refund delayed bankruptcy on account; -V Freeze; more than 8 weeks
1441 – Refund delayed, SSN, ITIN or Name mismatch with SSA/IRS; return posted to Invalid Segment
1461 – Taxpayer is advised their refund check was mailed undelivered by the Postal Service. Taxpayer is provided the option to update their address online. Check account to determine if the taxpayer changed their address online. If address is changed, advise taxpayer their request is being processed. If taxpayer did not change their address, follow instructions in IRM 21.4.3.4.3, Undeliverable Refund Checks.
1481 – Refund delayed, return Unpostable
1501 – Direct Deposit between 1 and 2 weeks ago, check with bank, file check claim
1502 – Direct Deposit more than 2 weeks ago, check with bank, file check claim
1521 – No data, paper return taxpayer filed more than 6 weeks ago; TIN not validated
1522 – No data, taxpayer filed electronic return more than 3 weeks ago; TIN not validated
1541 – Offset Overflow freeze set when offset storage within IDRS is not large enough to hold all generated transactions, or credit balance has been completely offset and two or more debit modules still exist
1551 – Frivolous Return Program freeze
1561 – Excess credit freeze set when the taxpayer claims fewer credits than are available
1571 – Erroneous refund freeze initiated
1581 – Manual refund freeze with no TC 150, or, return is Coded CCC “O” and TC 150 posted without TC 840
2007/2008 – Taxpayer’s check returned undelivered by the Postal Service and taxpayer does not meet Internet Refund Fact of Filing (IRFOF) eligibility. For example account may have an additional liability, or a freeze code other than S-. Analyze account and take appropriate action.
2009 – Taxpayer’s check returned undelivered by the Postal Service and taxpayer does not meet IRFOF eligibility. Taxpayer does not pass disclosure through IRFOF due to lack of data on IRFOF.
2015 – Savings bond request denied – partial offset – more than 3 weeks from refund date
2016 – Savings bond request denied – total offset
2017 – Savings bond request allowed – more than 3 weeks from refund date
5501 – Split direct deposit – partial offset – more than 2 weeks from refund date
5510 – Split direct deposit – returned by the bank – check mailed – with partial offset
5511 – Split direct deposit – returned by the bank – check mailed
8001 – Paper return taxpayer filed more than 6 weeks ago, failed authentication
8002 – Electronic return taxpayer filed more than 3 weeks ago, failed authentication
8028 – A security condition is preventing you from accessing the system.
9001 – Where’s My Refund System Error. Before you freak out and leave a comment, read our full article on IRS Code 9001 and What It Really Means?
9021 – Reference Code for all math error conditions Analyze account and follow appropriate IRM
9022 – Math error on return. Direct deposit more than 1 week ago Analyze account and follow appropriate IRM
9023 – Math error on return. Refund paper check mailed more than 4 weeks ago Analyze account and follow appropriate IRM
9024 – Math error on return. Balance due more than $50 Analyze account and follow appropriate IRM IRS Transcript Codes And WMR Reference Codes
If You Get a Reference Code on Your WMR
If you check Where’s My Refund (WMR) and see you have a reference code, you should identify the code and see if any action is required.
In many cases, no action is required on your part. One of the most common codes is 9001, which, as you can see, just means you accessed WMR using a different SSN or TIN. Once the IRS analyzes to ensure no fraud has taken place, you will get your return like normal. IRS Transcript Codes And WMR Reference
If there is an issue, the IRS will typically send you a letter to your mailing address within 90 days stating what the issue was, and any additional information required.
If you have any questions, you can contact the IRS directly at 800-829-1040. IRS Transcript Codes And WMR Reference



