What does IRS Code 898 on transcript mean? Partner's $1,055 refund shows as "Applied to non-IRS debt" despite being issued

Based on the transcript information you shared, here's a breakdown of what those codes mean: - Code 150: This indicates a tax return was filed showing a tax liability of $896 - Code 806: This shows your partner had $2,182 in withholding from paychecks - Code 846: This confirms a refund of $1,286 was issued on January 26, 2025 - Code 898: This line is interesting - it shows a $0.00 amount for non-IRS debt, followed by the refund amount The fact that the 898 code shows $0.00 means no money was actually taken from the refund for any debt. The refund amount listed after that is just showing the total refund amount again for reference. As for the dates, the IRS system often shows future processing dates. The March 2026 date is likely the processing cycle date, not indicating when the action actually happened. The date next to the refund issued code (846) shows when the refund was actually sent. Your partner's refund calculation looks correct: $2,182 (withholding) - $896 (tax) = $1,286 (refund

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I was in the same boat last month - confused about weird codes on my partner's transcript. After days of getting nowhere with the IRS website, I found this app called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes. The agent explained everything and fixed a small error on the account. Talking to a real person made all the difference - they explained the refund was correct but there was some confusion with the coding. Definitely worth it to skip the 3+ hour hold times!

Your partners taxes look fine to me. The $0.00 on the non-IRS debt line means they CHECKED for any debt offsets (like child support, student loans, etc) but didn't find any. So he got his full refund. The dates are confusing cause the IRS uses cycle dates - the 2026 dates are basically just programming stuff, not actual calendar dates.

The code 898 with a zero amount followed by the refund amount means they initially flagged the refund for a potential offset (maybe they thought he owed money somewhere) but then determined he didn't actually owe anything. So they released the full refund amount. Watch his bank account tho - sometimes when this happens they split the deposit into two separate payments a few days apart.

The IRS transcripts r honestly the most confusing thing ever. Like why cant they just make it normal english?!? 🤦‍♀️ Looks like your bf got his refund already ($1,286) based on the 846 code. The codes will show future dates sometimes cause of how their system processes stuff, its stupid.

I had almost the exact same situation! The whole 'Refund applied to non-IRS debt' with $0.00 freaked me out too, but it just means they checked for any debts that might offset the refund (like defaulted student loans) and found nothing. So basically ur bf is in the clear, he got his full refund amount.

Try using taxr.ai - it helped me understand my tax transcript when I was completely lost. It reads all those confusing codes and explains them in actual human language.

Those future March 2026 dates are just confusing IRS programming dates - they use a weird cycle system that doesn't align with regular calendar dates. The most important date is the one next to code 846 (Refund issued) which shows when they actually sent the money.

if ur really worried you should just call the IRS. i had a similar issue last month. use claimyr.com to get through to them quickly cos otherwise you'll be on hold for 3+ hours (not even exaggerating). the agent can explain everything and confirm that the refund was sent properly.

The 898 code freaked me out too when I saw it on mine! But what it means is they're confirming there weren't any non-tax debts that they needed to take money from your refund for (like defaulted student loans or child support). Since it shows $0.00, they didn't take anything and he got his full refund. The number after that is just showing his refund amount again.

Lol welcome to the confusing world of IRS transcripts... they might as well be written in ancient hieroglyphics 🤣 But yeah your bf's refund looks normal from what you described - nothing to worry about.

I notice there are some discrepancies in the numbers you've posted vs what others are referencing in their responses. Your original post shows a $1,055 refund and $764 tax liability, but several people are responding with different amounts ($1,286 refund, $896 tax). Based on YOUR actual numbers though - the $1,055 refund with code 898 showing $0.00 means exactly what others have said: they checked for any debts that could offset your partner's refund (child support, student loans, etc.) but found none. So he received the full $1,055. The confusing dates are normal - the IRS uses processing cycles that don't match calendar dates. The important date is 02-26-2025 next to code 846, which shows when the refund was actually issued. Your partner's math checks out: $1,819 (withholding) - $764 (tax owed) = $1,055 (refund). Everything looks normal!

Just wanted to add that I've seen this exact same situation before - the code 898 with $0.00 followed by the refund amount is actually pretty common. It's basically the IRS saying "we checked if this person owes any money to other government agencies, found nothing, so here's their full refund." The reason you're seeing it is probably because your partner's refund was over $1,000, which triggers an automatic check for things like unpaid child support, defaulted federal student loans, or state tax debts. Since the amount shows $0.00, nothing was taken. Also don't stress about those weird future dates - I used to work at a tax prep office and we'd see March 2026 dates in February all the time. It's just how their computer system assigns processing cycles. The real date that matters is the 02-26-2025 date next to the 846 code, which shows when they actually sent the money to his bank account.

Just want to echo what others have said - your partner's transcript looks totally normal! The 898 code with $0.00 is actually a good thing - it means they ran the standard check for any debts that could reduce his refund (like unpaid child support, defaulted student loans, back taxes to states, etc.) and found nothing to offset. So he got his full $1,055. The math works out perfectly: $1,819 withholding minus $764 tax liability = $1,055 refund. And that 02-26-2025 date next to code 846 shows when the refund was actually sent to his bank. Those future dates like the March 2026 processing date are just internal IRS cycle codes - they don't mean anything happened in the future. It's confusing but totally normal on transcripts. Your partner should have received his full refund amount with no issues!

I see there's been some confusion in the responses about the actual numbers from your transcript. Looking at what you originally posted, your partner's refund was $1,055, not the $1,286 that some people are referencing. Based on YOUR actual numbers: - Tax liability: $764 (code 150) - Withholding: $1,819 (code 806) - Refund issued: $1,055 (code 846) - Math check: $1,819 - $764 = $1,055 ✓ The code 898 showing "Refund applied to non-IRS debt: $0.00" followed by your refund amount is perfectly normal. It means they automatically checked for any government debts that could offset the refund (child support, student loans, etc.) but found none, so your partner received the full $1,055. The confusing dates are just how the IRS system works - those cycle numbers and future dates don't reflect actual calendar dates. The important date is 02-26-2025 next to code 846, which shows when the refund was actually sent. Everything looks completely normal on his transcript!

I had the exact same confusion with my transcript last year! The 898 code with $0.00 really threw me off too. What it actually means is that the IRS automatically runs a check on refunds over a certain amount to see if you owe money to other government agencies (like unpaid child support, defaulted federal student loans, state tax debts, etc.). The $0.00 amount means they didn't find any debts to offset against the refund, so your partner got the full $1,055. The refund amount listed after the $0.00 is just showing the total refund amount for reference. Your math is spot on: $1,819 withholding - $764 tax liability = $1,055 refund. And that February 26th date next to code 846 is when the money was actually sent to his bank account. Those weird future dates and cycle numbers are just how the IRS internal system works - they don't mean anything actually happened in the future. It's confusing but totally normal! Your partner's refund processed correctly and he should have received the full amount.

Looking at your partner's transcript, everything appears completely normal! The 898 code showing "$0.00" for "Refund applied to non-IRS debt" is actually good news - it means the IRS checked for any potential offsets (like child support, student loans, or other government debts) but found none, so your partner received his full $1,055 refund. The math checks out perfectly: $1,819 (withholding) - $764 (tax owed) = $1,055 (refund). Those confusing future dates like the March processing date are just internal IRS cycle codes that don't correspond to actual calendar dates - it's a quirk of their system that confuses everyone. The date that actually matters is February 26, 2025 next to code 846, which shows when the refund was issued. So to answer your main question: yes, he got the full $1,055 and no money was taken for any debts. The transcript is just showing that they did their standard check and found nothing to offset against the refund.

Just wanted to add my perspective as someone who's dealt with these confusing transcript codes before! Your partner's situation looks totally normal. The 898 code with $0.00 is actually reassuring - it means the IRS ran their standard debt offset check (they do this automatically on most refunds) and found no debts to collect from his refund. So he definitely received the full $1,055. The future dates are just the IRS being the IRS with their weird internal processing cycles. I remember freaking out about similar dates on my transcript last year thinking something was wrong, but it's just how their system assigns processing codes. The real date that matters is that Feb 26th date showing when the refund was actually sent. Your math is spot on: $1,819 withholding minus $764 tax liability equals $1,055 refund. Everything processed correctly and he should have gotten every penny he was owed!

I've been following this thread and wanted to clarify something that might help future readers - the IRS actually runs these debt offset checks (code 898) on ALL refunds, not just ones over $1,000 like someone mentioned earlier. It's part of the Treasury Offset Program where they automatically check for things like unpaid child support, defaulted federal student loans, state income tax debts, unemployment compensation debts, and other federal agency debts. The fact that your partner's transcript shows $0.00 for the offset amount is the best possible outcome - it means his refund cleared all those checks with no issues. The refund amount shown after the $0.00 is just their system displaying the total refund for reference. One thing I didn't see mentioned - if you ever DO see an actual dollar amount next to code 898 (instead of $0.00), that would mean money WAS taken from the refund for a debt. But in your case, everything looks perfect and he definitely received his full $1,055!

I went through this exact same confusion with my husband's transcript a few months ago! The 898 code with $0.00 had me convinced something was wrong, but it turns out it's actually the IRS showing they did their job correctly. What happens is the Treasury Offset Program automatically checks every refund against a database of federal and state debts (child support, student loans, back taxes, etc.). When they find no debts to collect, they show $0.00 next to code 898, followed by your refund amount as confirmation that you're getting the full amount. Your partner's numbers look perfect: $1,819 withholding - $764 tax = $1,055 refund. That February 26th date next to code 846 is when the money was actually sent to his account. Those March 2026 dates are just the IRS using their bizarre internal processing cycles - I swear they design these things to be as confusing as possible! But bottom line: everything processed normally and he got his full $1,055.

Hey Morgan! I see you've gotten some great explanations already, but I wanted to add one more perspective since I deal with these transcripts regularly. Your partner's transcript is completely normal - the 898 code with $0.00 is actually a positive indicator. It shows the IRS ran their standard Treasury Offset Program check (which they do on all refunds) to see if any money needed to be diverted for debts like child support, defaulted student loans, or back taxes. The $0.00 means they found nothing to offset, so he received his full $1,055. The math is straightforward: $1,819 (withholding) - $764 (tax liability) = $1,055 (refund). That February 26th date next to code 846 is when the refund was actually issued to his account. Those confusing March 2026 dates are just internal IRS processing cycle codes that don't correspond to real calendar dates - it's an unfortunate quirk of their system that confuses everyone! But the bottom line is everything processed correctly and he got exactly what he was owed.

I went through this exact same confusion last year! The 898 code really threw me for a loop too. What everyone else has explained is spot on - that $0.00 amount next to "Refund applied to non-IRS debt" is actually great news. It means the IRS automatically checked if your partner owed any money that could be taken from his refund (like unpaid child support, defaulted student loans, back taxes to states, etc.) through their Treasury Offset Program, but they found nothing to collect. So he definitely got his full $1,055 refund! The math works out perfectly: $1,819 withholding minus $764 tax liability equals $1,055. That February 26th date next to code 846 shows when the money was actually sent to his bank account. Those weird future dates like March 2026 are just the IRS using their ancient computer system's processing cycles - they don't mean anything actually happened in the future. I remember staring at similar dates on my transcript thinking I was looking at some kind of time-travel tax return! 😅 Your partner's transcript looks completely normal and healthy. No red flags at all!

I just wanted to thank everyone who responded to my question! This thread has been incredibly helpful and educational. When I first saw that 898 code on my partner's transcript, I was so worried something was wrong or that money was being taken from his refund for some unknown debt. But thanks to all your explanations, I now understand that: - The 898 code with $0.00 is actually GOOD news - it shows the IRS checked for any debts through the Treasury Offset Program and found none - He got his full $1,055 refund ($1,819 withholding - $764 tax liability = $1,055) - Those weird March 2026 dates are just internal IRS processing cycles, not actual calendar dates - The February 26th date next to code 846 is when the refund was actually sent I had no idea the IRS automatically checks every refund for potential debt offsets - that's actually pretty smart of them, even if their transcript format is confusing as heck! You all have made me feel so much more confident about understanding these documents in the future. The IRS should definitely hire some of you to make their explanations more user-friendly! 😊 Thanks again everyone - this community is amazing! 🙏