Filed 3/15: "Return Processing Delayed" message on WMR with Tax Topic 152 for 2+ months - Anyone eventually get a DDD?
I submitted my return on March 15th and got accepted right away. Been checking Where's My Refund almost daily and for the past 3 weeks it's showing the processing delayed message. When I check the IRS website or the IRS2Go app, I'm seeing this exact message: "We apologize, but your return processing has been delayed beyond the normal timeframe. You can continue to check back here for the most up to date information regarding your refund. We understand your tax refund is very important and we are working to process your return as quickly as possible." Under "Helpful Information" it mentions "Tax Topic 152, Refund Information" which apparently relates to my tax situation. The tracker shows three stages: Return Received (which is checked), Refund Approved (not checked), and Refund Sent (not checked). So I'm still stuck at the first stage even though it's been over 2 months. The IRS site also notes "For refund information, please continue to check here, or use our free mobile app, IRS2Go. Updates to refund status are made no more than once a day." Has anyone gotten this exact message and still eventually received their Direct Deposit Date? How long did it take after seeing this delay message? I'm getting really worried since I'm counting on this money and it's already been over 2 months with no movement at all. Should I call the IRS at this point or just keep waiting?
43 comments


Margot Quinn
Yes, this is completely normal these days. The "processing delayed" message with Tax Topic 152 usually means your return is in the normal processing queue but taking longer than the standard 21 days. This doesn't indicate any problems with your return - just that the IRS is backed up. Most people do eventually get their refund after seeing this message. Your best bet is to check your tax transcript (if you can access it) rather than WMR for more detailed information. Look for transaction codes like 846 which would indicate your refund has been scheduled. The IRS is still processing returns from January and February, so a March filing might take 60-90 days total. If you reach the 3-month mark with no updates, then consider calling the IRS or contacting Taxpayer Advocate Service.
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Raúl Mora
•Thank you! I didn't know about checking transcripts instead of WMR. Will try that route. Do you know how to access those?
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Margot Quinn
•You can access your transcripts by creating an account on IRS.gov and going to the "Get Transcript" section. They'll verify your identity then you can view or download your transcript.
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Evelyn Kim
•transcripts are literally impossible to access tho. i tried like 5 times and their verification system is broken AF 🤬
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Diego Fisher
•True, the ID verification is a nightmare. I had to try 3 different browsers before it finally worked.
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Raúl Mora
•Well that stinks! I'll try but sounds like it might be a hassle. Appreciate the heads up everyone.
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Henrietta Beasley
•Dont waste hours trying to figure out the transcript codes. I used taxr.ai and it explained everything instantly. Saved me so much time and confusion!
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Henrietta Beasley
I was in the exact same situation last month. Filed around same time, got the delay message, and spent hours trying to decipher my transcript when I finally got access. It was nothing but confusing codes everywhere. I eventually found this tool called taxr.ai that literally changed everything. It analyzed my transcript, explained all the weird codes, told me exactly what was happening with my return and when I could expect payment. So much better than playing detective on a bunch of confusing IRS codes. I use it weekly now to check if anything's changed with my status. https://taxr.ai
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Lincoln Ramiro
•Sounds interesting. How exactly does it work? Does it just read your transcript or does it do more?
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Henrietta Beasley
•It does way more than just read it! You upload your transcript and it breaks down every code, explains what's happening in regular human language, tells you what stage your refund is in, and even predicts when you'll get your money. I was completely lost before using it - seriously a game changer!
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Faith Kingston
•is this legit or just another scam? not giving my info to random sites
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Henrietta Beasley
•Totally get the skepticism - I felt the same way! But it actually doesn't ask for any personal info beyond what's already on your transcript (which you upload yourself). It just analyzes what's there and explains it. No SSN input or anything sketchy like that.
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Emma Johnson
•I just tried it and WOW. Been staring at my transcript for weeks not understanding anything and this made everything clear in seconds. Thanks for sharing!
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Liam Brown
After dealing with the same issue for 10 weeks, I finally got through to a real person at the IRS using Claimyr. Was getting desperate after calling the regular number like 20 times and always getting disconnected. The Claimyr app called for me and got me connected to a live agent who actually fixed the issue with my delayed refund. Said there was a simple verification flag on my account they cleared up in 5 minutes. Got my DDD two days later. Best money I've spent this year considering I was waiting on thousands in refund! Check it out at claimyr.com
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Olivia Garcia
•how much does it cost? seems sketchy tbh
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Liam Brown
•Not sketchy at all - it's just a calling service that navigates the IRS phone tree for you and holds your place in line. Totally worth it when you're waiting on thousands in refund money and can't get through any other way.
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Raúl Mora
•Thanks for this! I'll check it out if I don't see movement in the next week. Did you have to provide any special info when you finally reached someone?
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Liam Brown
•Just the usual verification stuff - your name, SSN, filing status, address on last return. The agent was super helpful once I got through. Such a relief after months of stress!
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Noah Lee
Got the same message after filing 2/28. Waited 11 weeks total, then suddenly got my DDD. No rhyme or reason to it. The IRS is just absurdly backed up this year. If you're past 45 days of waiting, they technically owe you interest too.
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Ava Hernandez
The IRS can't even process returns from February yet for most people I know. Complete disaster this year. They spend all this money on enforcement but can't hire enough people to process returns on time. 🤬
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Isabella Martin
•PREACH 👏 i filed in January and still nothing. system is completely broken
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Elijah Jackson
•my sister works for IRS. they're understaffed by like 40% rn and have ancient computer systems from the 1980s. its a miracle anything gets processed at all
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Sophia Miller
I got that same message for 9 weeks straight, then suddenly on week 10 it updated to approved and I had my deposit 2 days later. No rhyme or reason to it, just be patient. There's nothing you did wrong.
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Raúl Mora
•That gives me hope! Did they pay you any interest for the delay?
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Sophia Miller
•Yes! Got an extra $43 in interest. Not much but better than nothing lol
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Mason Davis
Tax Topic 152 actually just means you're likely getting a refund and nothing is severely wrong. It's a generic notice. My advice is to call the IRS. The topiuc 152 doesn't mean there's an audit or issue, just that you're in the refund queue.
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Mia Rodriguez
I had this for THREE MONTHS before getting my DDD. The system is broken. Would have been completely in the dark if I hadn't used taxr.ai to decode my transcript and figure out what was actually happening. My transcript showed a review code that WMR never mentioned! https://taxr.ai
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Jacob Lewis
•I keep seeing people mention this site. Does it actually help or just tell you info you already know?
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Mia Rodriguez
•It tells you EXACTLY what's happening with specific explanations of every code and what they mean for your timeline. Way more than you can figure out yourself unless you're a tax pro. Saved me from calling the IRS multiple times.
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Amelia Martinez
I had the same issue and discovered my return was stuck in ERS (Error Resolution System) - something WMR never tells you! Only found out when I finally reached a human. All because I had a small math error that the computer flagged. Wasted 2 months waiting. Try calling them at 7am exactly when they open.
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Ethan Clark
•good luck with that... i tried calling at exactly 7:00:00 for TWO WEEKS and never got through. system is rigged.
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Mila Walker
•I finally got through using claimyr.com after trying for weeks on my own. Got my refund released after a 5 minute call where they confirmed my identity. Sometimes paying for convenience is worth it.
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Logan Scott
Check to see if you claimed the Earned Income Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit. Those automatically delay processing until mid-February at the earliest due to the PATH Act, and this year they're running even further behind.
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Chloe Green
the most annoying part of this whole process is just the complete lack of transparency from the IRS. like, just tell us whats going on with our money! why is that so hard?
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Lucas Adams
•Because they're still using computer systems from the Carter administration 🤣
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Harper Hill
•💯 transparency would solve sooo many problems. even a basic progress bar would be better than the current system
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Caden Nguyen
Got the same mesage on February 20th and just got my refund yesterday. No explanation, no updates, it just suddenly showed up in my account. THE most infuriating process imaginable.
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Avery Flores
Took me 13 weeks last year with this same message. Called Claimyr to finally reach someone and they told me my account had a simple verification flag that needed to be cleared. Fixed in 10 mins on the phone. Check out claimyr.com - the only way I've ever been able to actually reach a live person at the IRS without spending my entire day on hold.
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Raúl Mora
•Is Claimyr the only way to get through? I've been trying the regular IRS numbers but always get disconnected.
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Avery Flores
•Pretty much. I tried for 3 weeks straight using the regular numbers - even waking up at 6:55am to call right when they open. Always got the 'high call volume' message and disconnected. Claimyr got me through on my first try.
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Zoe Gonzalez
•I've had good luck calling the Tax Advocate Service instead of the main IRS line. Less wait time.
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Ashley Adams
If you're getting the Tax Topic 152 message, it generally means your return is in the normal processing queue and you're going to get a refund eventually. It's annoying but not actually indicating a problem.
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Mohamed Anderson
I'm in the exact same boat! Filed 3/12 and have been seeing that same "processing delayed" message with Tax Topic 152 for about 8 weeks now. It's so frustrating not knowing what's actually happening. From reading everyone's responses here, it sounds like this is unfortunately the new normal and we just have to wait it out. Some people are getting their refunds after 10-13 weeks, so hopefully we're getting close. The lack of transparency from the IRS is really the worst part - just give us some idea of what stage we're actually in! I'm going to try accessing my transcript like others suggested, and if I hit the 3 month mark with no movement I'll probably try one of those calling services people mentioned. Hang in there!
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