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. For more information on WMR, check out When To Expect My Tax Refund Tax Calendar. However, finding the IRS reference codes has also been one of the hardest things to track down this year, especially with all the changes to the way the IRS is processing refunds. Anyway, here are the IRS Where's My Refund Tool Reference codes. 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. 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.

IRS Tax Refund Reference Codes 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