As a tax professional, I have come across a variety of questions and concerns regarding tax topics. One of the specific topics that have attracted a lot of attention in recent years is Tax Topic 152. Next, I will explain what it is, in fact, Tax Topic 152, why it disappeared, and actually what to do with it.
What is Tax Topic 152?
Tax Topic 152 is the message that taxpayers see when they check the status of their refund on the IRS website or in the IRS2Go mobile app. The message says: “Information about the refund is unavailable. However, you can find out the status of your refund by applying “Where is my refund?” the tool is available on the IRS website.” Topic 152 shows that the IRS has a tax return and is processing it, but refund information is not yet available.
Tax Topic 152 has been around for several years and is considered to be the most common message that taxpayers receive when they check the status of a refund. This is not a cause for concern, for example, as it simply means that the IRS is still processing the tax return and that the refund information is not yet available.
Reasons for the disappearance of Tax Topic 152
Topic 152 disappeared from the IRS website and IRS2Go mobile app in 2020. This caused great confusion among the taxpayers, who are addicted to seeing the news when checking the status of their reimbursement. The disappearance of Tax Topic 152 was due to changes made by the IRS in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The IRS had to shut down almost all of its operations due to the pandemic, including processing tax returns and issuing refunds. This led to a delay in tax returns and refunds that needed to be processed, and the IRS had to appropriately value its resources. As a result, the IRS removed Tax Topic 152 from its website and mobile application to facilitate its operations and reduce confusion among taxpayers.
The removal of Tax Topic 152 was part of a larger effort by the IRS to simplify and streamline its work during the pandemic. The IRS has also extended the deadline for filing tax returns from April 15 to July 15 to give taxpayers more time to file their returns and has temporarily halted almost all of its enforcement developments to ease taxpayer oppression.
What to do with Tax Topic 152?
Tax Topic 152 has disappeared from the IRS website and mobile app, taxpayers still have a good chance of finding out the status of their refund using the “Where’s my refund?” tool. This tool provides the most important information about the status of a refund, including when it was received by the IRS, when it was approved, and when it is expected to be issued.
If a taxpayer sees the message “Refund information not available” when checking the status of their refund, this simply means that the IRS is still processing the tax return and that the refund information is not yet available. Taxpayers are not required to worry and are required to continue to inspect the status of their refund by applying the “Where is my refund?” tool.
Taxpayers still have a good chance of finding out the status of a refund by calling the IRS refund hotline at 1-800-829-1954. However, due to the pandemic, IRS staffing is limited and waiting times can be longer than usual. Taxpayers are still likely to experience delays in receiving their refunds due to pending returns that need to be processed by the IRS.
Tips for Taxpayers
Here are some tips for taxpayers who are waiting for their refunds:
1. File your tax return electronically.
Electronic filing is faster and more accurate than filing a paper return. It also allows the IRS to process the return more quickly and issue refunds faster.
2. Check the status of your refund using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool.
This tool provides the most up-to-date information on the status of the refund and is available 24/7 on the IRS website and mobile app.
3. Be patient.
The pandemic has caused delays in the processing of tax returns and issuing refunds. Taxpayers may experience longer wait times than usual, but refunds will still be issued.
4. Avoid scams.
Scammers often target taxpayers who are waiting for their refunds. They may call or email pretending to be from the IRS and ask for personal information or payment to process the refund. The IRS will never call or email taxpayers asking for personal information or payment. If you receive such a call or email, do not provide any information and report it to the IRS.
5. Consider direct deposit.
Direct deposit is the fastest and safest way to receive a refund. Taxpayers can choose to have their refund deposited directly into their bank account when filing their return.
Be informed and vigilant!
Tax Topic 152 is the notification that taxpayers receive when they check the status of their refund on the IRS website or mobile app. This indicates that the tax office has received the tax return and is processing it, but the refund information is not yet available. The disappearance of Tax Topic 152 started in 2020 due to changes made by the IRS in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but taxpayers still have a good chance of finding out the status of their refund by applying the “Where is my refund?” tool. Taxpayers must be patient and vigilant and consider the possibility of filing their returns in electrical form and receiving a direct depot refund for faster and safer processing.
Other than that, taxpayers should assume that the IRS is making every effort to process tax returns and refund taxes as soon as possible. However, the epidemic has presented the agency with unprecedented challenges, and now taxpayers have every chance of facing delays in receiving refunds.
To ease the burden on taxpayers, the IRS has also received several waivers, covering the extension of the tax filing deadline and the suspension of many enforcement events. Taxpayers are required to take advantage of these measures and avoid penalties by filing their returns on time and paying all due taxes on time.
In addition to testing the status of their refund, taxpayers still have every chance to use the IRS website to find answers to known tax questions, download forms, and publications, and make payments. The IRS also provides charitable tax preparation support to low-income and veteran taxpayers through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Senior Tax Counseling (TCE) programs.
As a tax professional, I urge taxpayers to be informed and vigilant when it comes to their taxes. By taking advantage of the resources and support provided by the IRS and persevering through these unprecedented times.
Read more about the How To Work With Tax Topic 152
FAQ
Taxpayers can avoid delays in receiving their refund by filing their tax return electronically and opting for direct deposit. Additionally, taxpayers should ensure that their tax return is accurate and complete to avoid processing delays or rejection of their return.
No, Tax Topic 152 is no longer relevant for taxpayers because it has been replaced by the updated “Where’s My Refund?” tool, which provides more specific information about the status of a taxpayer’s refund.
The new “Where’s My Refund?” tool provides personalized information about a taxpayer’s refund status, including whether the IRS has received their tax return, whether it has been approved, and the date the refund is expected to be deposited or mailed.
Tax Topic 152 disappeared because the IRS updated its “Where’s My Refund?” tool in 2021 to provide more specific information about the status of a taxpayer’s refund. The new tool provides taxpayers with personalized information about their refund status, including the date they can expect to receive their refund.
Tax Topic 152 was a message displayed on the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool that indicated the IRS had received a taxpayer’s tax return and it was being processed.
