One of the biggest questions I've been seeing this year are what the various reference codes mean on the IRS Refund Status Tool (previously known as "Where's My Refund") - or on the IRS2Go app. A lot of tax filers are getting IRS Reference Codes back, but don't know what they mean and don't know if they are in trouble.

That is closely followed by what do the various codes on the IRS tax transcript mean (for those that diligently check their transcript daily during tax season).

For more information on when to expect your tax refund if you don't want to worry about transcript codes, check out When To Expect My Tax Refund Tax Calendar.

Also, if you're concerned about a generic message that says "Refer to Tax Topic 152", all that means is check out these tips about getting your refund. Here is a link to Tax Topic 152.

We put together a list of common errors and issues, you can check it out here: IRS Where's My Refund Common Questions.

Table of Contents

What Is A Tax Transcript And Why Does It Matter?

Important IRS Transcript Codes

Full List IRS Transaction Codes

IRS WMR Error And Reference Codes

If You Get a Reference Code on Your WMR

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 Tax Payer 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

Here's an example transcript:

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!

Transaction Code	Description
150	Tax Return Filed
424	Examination Request Indicator
425	Reversed TC 424
810	Refund Freeze
811	Reverse TC 810
846	Tax Refund Issued
971	Miscellaneous Transaction (Letter in Mail)

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.

Transaction Code	Description
000	Establish Account
001	Resequence Account (TIN Change)
002	Resequence Merge Fail
003	Duplicate Tax Modules are not Resequenced
004	BMF Partial Merge
005	Resequenced Account or Plan For Merge
006	Merge Plan Resequenced
007	Carrier Transaction
008	IMF/BMF Complete Merge
011	Change EIN or SSN or Plan Number
012	Reopen Entity Account or Plan
013	Name Change
014	Address Change
015	Location and/or Zip Code Change
016	Miscellaneous Entity Code Change
017	Spouse SSN
018	Release Undeliverable Refund Check Freeze
019	Area Office Change
020	Close Account
022	Delete EO Submodule
023	Reverse The Election To Lobby
024	Election To Lobby
025	No Resequence SSN
026	Delete Changed TIN
030	Update Location Codes
040	Direct Change To Valid SSN
041	Direct Change To Invalid SSN
052	Reversal of TC 053, 054, 055
053	Plan Year Ending Month Change
054	Retained FYM
055	Change or Adopt New FYM
057	Reversal of TC 054, 055
058	Rejection of Form 8716
059	Rejection of Form 1128
060	Elect Foreign Sales Corporation (FSC)
061	Revoke Reverses TC 060, 063, 064, or 065
062	Erroneous
063	FSC Election Received
064	FSC Election Denied
065	FSC Revocation Received
066	Terminate FSC Received
070	Church Exemption from Social Security Taxes
071	Revocation of Church Exemption from Social Security Taxes
072	Deletion of TC 070 Input in Error
073	Correction of Erroneous Revocation / Termination
076	Acceptance of Form 8832
077	Reversal of TC 076
078	Rejection of Form 8832, Entity Classification Election
079	Revocation of Form 8832, Entity Classification Election
080	Validates Spouse’s SSN
082	Acceptance of Form 8869
083	Reversal of TC 082
084	Termination of Form 8869
085	Reversal of TC 084
086	Effective Date of Revocation
087	Reversal of TC 086
090	Small Business Election
091	Terminate Small Business
092	Reverses TC 090, 093, 095,097
093	Application for Small Business Election
094	Application for Small Business Denied
095	Application for Small Business Pending
096	Small Business Election Terminated
097	Application for Small Business Pending National Office Approval
098	Establish or Change in a Fiduciary Relationship
099	Termination of Fiduciary Relationship
100	Acceptance of Qualified Subchapter S Trust (QSST)
101	Revocation of Qualified Subchapter S Trust (QSST)
102	Acceptance of Electing Small Business Trust (ESBT)
103	Revocation of Electing Small Business Trust (ESBT)
110	Designates Windfall Profits Tax Return to GMF Unpostable System
120	Account Disclosure Code
121	Employee Plan Characteristics
122	Reversal of Employee Plan Characteristics
123	Update of Employee Plan Characteristics
125	Plan Termination
126	Reversal of Termination
127	Administrator Data Change
128	Administrator Data Change
129	HHS Request
130	Entire Account Frozen from Refunding
131	Reversal of TC 130 Refund Freeze
132	Reversed TC 130
136	Suppress FTD Alert
137	Reverse Supress
140	IRP Delinquency Inquiry
141	Delinquency Inquiry
142	Delinquency Investigation
148	Issuance of TDA
149	Reversal of TC 148
150	Return Filed & Tax Liability Assessed
151	Reversal of TC 150 or 154
152	Entity Updated by TC 150
154	Posting F5330 Data
155	1st Correspondence Letter Sent
156	Subsequent Correspondence Sent
157	Schedule A
159	Settlement Data
160	Manually Computed Delinquency Penalty
161	Abatement of Delinquency Penalty
162	Failure to File Penalty Restriction Deletion
166	Delinquency Penalty
167	Abate Delinquency Penalty
170	Estimated Tax Penalty
171	Abatement of Estimated Tax Penalty
176	Estimated Tax Penalty
177	Abatement of Estimated Tax Penalty
180	Deposit Penalty
181	Deposit Penalty Abatement
186	FTD (Deposit) Penalty Assessment
187	Abatement of FTD Penalty Assessment
190	Manually Assessed Interest Transferred In
191	Interest Abatement
196	Interest Assessed
197	Abatement of Interest Assessed
200	Taxpayer Identification Number Penalty Assessment
201	Taxpayer Identification Number Penalty Abatement
234	Assessed Daily Delinquency Penalty
235	Abates Daily Delinquency Penalty
238	Daily Delinquency Penalty
239	Abatement of Daily Delinquency Penalty
240	Miscellaneous Penalty
241	Abate Miscellaneous Civil Penalty
246	Form 8752 or 1065 Penalty
247	Abatement of 1065 Penalty
270	Manual Assessment Failure to Pay Tax Penalty
271	Manual Abatement of Failure to Pay Tax Penalty
272	Failure to Pay Penalty Restriction Deletion
276	Failure to Pay Tax Penalty
277	Abatement of Failure to Pay Tax Penalty
280	Bad Check Penalty
281	Abatement of Bad Check Penalty
286	Bad Check Penalty
287	Reversal of Bad Check Penalty
290	Additional Tax Assessment
291	Abatement Prior Tax Assessment
294	Additional Tax Assessment with Interest Computation Date
295	Abatement of Prior Tax Assessment with Interest Computation Date
298	Additional Tax Assessment with Interest Computation Date
299	Abatement of Prior Tax Assessment Interest Computation Date
300	Additional Tax or Deficiency Assessment by Examination Div. or Collection Div.
301	Abatement of Tax by Examination or Collection Div.
304	Additional Tax or Deficiency, Assessment by Examination, Div.with Interest Computation Date
305	Abatement of Prior Tax Assessment by Examination Div. with Interest Computation Date
308	Additional Tax or Deficiency Assessment by Examination or Collection Div. with Interest Computation Date
309	Abatement of Prior Tax Assessment by Examination Div. with Interest Computation date
310	Penalty for Failure to Report Income from Tips
311	Tip Penalty Abatement
320	Fraud Penalty
321	Abatement of Fraud Penalty
336	Interest Assessment on Additional Tax or Deficiency
337	Abatement of Interest Assessed on Additional Tax or Deficiency
340	Restricted Interest Assessment
341	Restricted Interest Abatement
342	Interest Restriction Deletion
350	Negligence Penalty
351	Negligence Penalty Abatement
360	Fees & Collection Costs
361	Abatement of Fees & Collection Costs
370	Account Transfer-In
380	Overpayment Cleared Manually
386	Clearance of Overpayment
388	Statute Expiration Clearance to Zero Balance and Removal
389	Reversal of Statute Expiration
400	Account Transfer-out
402	Account Re-Transferred-In
420	Examination Indicator
421	Reverse Examination Indicator
424	Examination Request Indicator
425	Reversed TC 424
427	Request Returns from SERFE file
428	Examination or Appeals Case Transfer
429	Request AIMS Update from MF
430	Estimated Tax Declaration
432	Entity Updated by TC 430
446	Merged Transaction Indicator
450	Transferee Liability Assessment
451	Reversal of TC 450
459	Prior Quarter Liability, Forms 941 and 720
460	Extension of Time for Filing
462	Correction of a TC 460 Transaction Processed in Error
463	Waiver to File on Mag Tape
464	Reversal of TC 463
468	Extension of Time to Pay Estate Tax
469	Reversal of TC 468
470	Taxpayer Claim Pending
471	Reversal of Taxpayer Claim Pending
472	Reversal of Taxpayer Claim Pending
474	Interrupts Normal Delinquency Processings
475	Permits TDI Issuance
480	Offer-in-Compromise Pending
481	Offer-in-Compromise Rejected
482	Offer-in-Compromise Withdrawn/Terminated
483	Correction of Erroneous Posting of TC 480
488	Installment and/or Manual Billing
489	Installment Defaulted
490	Mag Media Waiver
494	Notice of Deficiency
495	Closure of TC 494 or correction of TC 494 processed in error
500	Military Deferment
502	Correction of TC 500 Processed in Error
503	TC 500 changed to 503 when posting TC 502
510	Releases Invalid SSN Freeze on Refunds
520	IRS Litigation Instituted
521	Reversal of TC 520
522	Correction of TC 520 Processed in Error
524	Collateral Agreement Pending
525	Collateral Agreement No Longer Pending
528	Terminate Stay of Collection Status
530	Currently not Collectible Account
531	Reversal of a Currently not Collectible Account
532	Correction of TC 530 Processed in Error
534	Expired Balance Write-off, accrued or assessed
535	Reversal of Expired Balance Write-off
537	Reversal of Currently not Collectible Account Status
538	Trust Fund Recovery Penalty Cases
539	Trust Fund Recovery Penalty Case Reversal
540	Deceased Taxpayer
542	Correction to TC 540 Processed in Error
550	Waiver Extension of Date Collection Statute Expires
560	Waiver Extension of Date Assessment Statute Expires
570	Additional Liability Pending/or Credit Hold
571	Reversal of TC 570
572	Correction of TC 570 Processed in Error
576	Unallowable Tax Hold
577	Reversal Of TC 576
582	Lien Indicator
583	Reverse Lien Indicator
586	Transfer/revenue receipt cross ref. TIN
590	Satisfying Trans. Not liable this Tax period
591	Satisfying Trans. No longer liable for tax for same MFT if not already delinquent
592	Reverse 59X Trans.
593	Satisfying Trans. Unable to locate taxpayer
594	Satisfying Trans. Return previously filed
595	Satisfying Trans. Referred to Examination
597	Satisfying Trans. Surveyed satisfies this module only
598	Satisfying Trans. Shelved - satisfies this module only
599	Satisfying Trans. Returned secured-satisfies this module only
600	Underpayment Cleared Manually
604	Assessed Debit Cleared
605	Generated Reversal of TC 604
606	Underpayment Cleared
607	Reversal of Underpayment Cleared
608	Statute Expiration Clearance to Zero Balance and Remove
609	Reversal of Statute Expiration
610	Remittance with Return
611	Remittance with Return Dishonored
612	Correction of 610 Processed in Error
620	Initial Installment Payment: Form 7004
621	Installment Payment Check Dishonored
622	Correction of TC 620 Processed in Error
630	Manual Application of Appropriation Money
632	Reversal of Manual Application of Appropriation Money
636	Separate Appropriations Refundable Credit
637	Reversal of Separate, Appropriations Refundable Credit
640	Advance Payment of Determined Deficiency or Underreporter Proposal
641	Dishonored Check on Advance Payment
642	Correction of TC 640 Processed in Error
650	Federal Tax Deposit
651	Dishonored Federal Tax Deposit
652	Correction of FTD Posted in Error
660	Estimated Tax
661	ES payment or FTD Check Dishonored
662	Correction of TC 660 Processed in Error
666	Estimated Tax Credit Transfer In
667	Estimated Tax Debit Transfer Out
670	Subsequent Payment
671	Subsequent Payment Check Dishonored
672	Correction of TC 670 Processed in Error
673	Input of a TC 672 Changes an existing TC 670 to TC 673
678	Credits for Treasury Bonds
679	Reversal of Credits for Treasury Bonds
680	Designated Payment of Interest
681	Designated Payment Check Dishonored
682	Correction of TC 680 Processed in Error
690	Designated Payment of Penalty
691	Designated Payment Check Dishonored
692	Correction of TC 690 Processed in Error
694	Designated Payment of Fees and Collection Costs
695	Reverse Designated Payment
700	Credit Applied
701	Reverse Generated Overpayment Credit Applied
702	Correction of Erroneously Applied Credit
706	Generated Overpayment Applied from Another Tax Module
710	Overpayment Credit Applied from Prior Tax Period
712	Correction of TC 710 or 716 Processed in Error
716	Generated Overpayment Credit Applied from Prior Tax Period
720	Refund Repayment
721	Refund Repayment Check Dishonored
722	Correction of TC 720 Processed in Error
730	Overpayment Interest Applied
731	Reverse Generated Overpayment Interest Applied
732	Correction of TC 730 Processed in Error
736	Generated Interest Overpayment Applied
740	Undelivered Refund Check Redeposited
742	Correction of TC 740 Processed in Error
756	Interest on Overpayment Transferred from IMF
760	Substantiated Credit Payment Allowance
762	Correction of TC 760 Processed In Error
764	Earned Income Credit
765	Earned Income Credit Reversal
766	Generated Refundable Credit Allowance
767	Generated Reversal of Refundable Credit Allowance
768	Earned Income Credit
771	Interest Reversal Prior to Refund Issuance
772	Correction of TC 770 Processed in Error or interest netting
776	Generated Interest Due on Overpayment
777	Reverse Generated Interest Due Taxpayer or interest netting
780	Master File Account Compromised
781	Defaulted Account Compromise
782	Correction of TC 780 Processed in Error
788	All Collateral Conditions of the Offer Completed
790	Manual Overpayment Applied from IMF
792	Correction of TC 790 Processed in Error
796	Overpayment Credit from IMF
800	Credit for Withheld Taxes
802	Correction of a TC 800 Processed in error
806	Credit for Withheld Taxes & Excess FICA
807	Reversed Credit for Withheld Taxes
810	Refund Freeze
811	Reverse Refund Freeze
820	Credit Transferred
821	Reverse Generated Overpayment Credit Transferred
822	Correction of an Overpayment Transferred In Error
824	Overpayment Credits Transferred to Another or to Non-MF Accounts
826	Overpayment Transferred
830	Overpayment Credit Elect (Transferred) to Next Periods Tax
832	Correction of Credit Elect
836	Overpayment Credit Elect Transferred to Next Periods Tax
840	Manual Refund
841	Cancelled Refund Check Deposited
842	Refund Deletion
843	Check Cancellation Reversal
844	Erroneous Refund
845	Reverse Erroneous Refund
846	Refund of Overpayment
850	Overpayment Interest Transfer
851	Reverse Generated Overpayment Interest Transfer
852	Correction of TC 850 Processed in Error
856	Overpayment Interest Transfer by Computer
860	Reverses Erroneous Abatement
876	Interest on Overpayment Transferred to BMF
890	Manual Transfer of Overpayment Credits to BMF
892	Correction of TC 890 Processed in Error
896	Overpayment Credit Offset
897	DMF Offset Reversal
898	FMS TOP Offset
899	FMS TOP Offset reversal or Agency Refund/Reversal
901	Delete IDRS Indicator
902	Campus IDRS Indicator
903	Master File IDRS Entity Delete
904	Notify IDRS Entity or Module not Present
920	IDRS Notice Status
922	IRP Underreporter
924	IRP Communication
930	Return Required Suspense
932	Reverse Return Required Suspense
960	Add/Update Centralized Authorization File Indicator Reporting Agents File
961	Reverse Centralized Authorization File Indicator
970	F720 Additional Schedules; or F945 liability amounts from F945-A and related dates, F941 liability amounts from Schedule B and related dates
971	Miscellaneous Transaction
972	Reverses Amended/ Duplicate Return XREF TIN/ Tax Period Data
973	Application for Tentative Refund F1139 Processed Return Filed-8038 Series Return and Additional Filing of Form 5330
976	Posted Duplicate Return
977	Posted Amended Return Posted Consolidated Generated Amended, Late Reply, or DOL Referral
980	W-3/1096 Transaction
982	CAWR Control DLN Transaction
984	CAWR Adjustment Transaction
986	CAWR Status Transaction
990	Specific Transcript
991	Open Module Transcript
992	Complete or TaxClass Transcript
993	Entity Transcript
994	Two Accounts Failed to Merge/ Transcript Generated
995	Difference in Validity Status/ Transcript Generated
996	Follow-up on Uncollectible
998	Update Entity Information

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

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.

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.

Robert Farrington

Robert Farrington is America’s Millennial Money Expert® and America’s Student Loan Debt Expert™, and the founder of The College Investor, a personal finance site dedicated to helping millennials escape student loan debt to start investing and building wealth for the future. You can learn more about him on the About Page or on his personal site RobertFarrington.com.

He regularly writes about investing, student loan debt, and general personal finance topics geared toward anyone wanting to earn more, get out of debt, and start building wealth for the future.

He has been quoted in major publications, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, ABC, NBC, Today, and more. He is also a regular contributor to Forbes.

Editor: Clint Proctor Reviewed by: Ashley Barnett

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IRS Transcript Codes And WMR Reference Codes

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