What Is Code 152 on a Tax Transcript?
Decipher a common IRS tax transcript code. Learn what this crucial indicator reveals about the status and progression of your tax refund.
A tax transcript provides a detailed summary of your tax return information as recorded by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Taxpayers often request these transcripts to review their filed returns, verify income, or check the status of a refund. Within these transcripts, various codes appear that can sometimes seem unclear to someone unfamiliar with IRS processing language.
Understanding Tax Transcript Code 152
Tax transcript code 152 is an informational code that indicates a tax refund is due to the taxpayer. This code signifies that the Internal Revenue Service has successfully processed the tax return and determined that a refund amount has been calculated and approved. It is a positive sign on a tax transcript, confirming that the return is moving through the IRS system.
This code often appears with other transaction codes, such as Code 846, which indicates that a refund has been issued. While Code 152 confirms the refund has been approved, it does not mean the funds have been disbursed immediately.
What Code 152 Indicates About Your Refund
Seeing Code 152 on your tax transcript means the Internal Revenue Service has completed its review of your tax filing. The agency has processed your return, verified the information, and confirmed you are owed a refund. This code signifies the refund amount is awaiting disbursement.
The presence of Code 152 indicates your refund is on track and has passed the approval phase within the IRS system. It acts as a precursor to the actual refund being sent to your bank account or mailed as a check. This approval means the IRS has confirmed your eligibility for the refund amount shown on your transcript.
What to Do After Seeing Code 152
No immediate action is required from the taxpayer upon seeing Code 152 on their tax transcript. This code indicates that the IRS is processing your refund as expected. The primary recommendation is to monitor the status of your refund.
You can check your refund status using the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool, available on the IRS website. To use this tool, you will need your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, your filing status (e.g., single, married filing jointly), and the exact refund amount from your tax return. The tool provides updates as your refund progresses towards issuance, within 24 hours after e-filing or four weeks after mailing a paper return.