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New Member
posted Jun 6, 2019 12:06:16 AM

Can tax topic 203 mean the money TurboTax is taking out of my refund? I called the number concerning possible offsets and I don’t have any.

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17 Replies
Intuit Alumni
Jun 6, 2019 12:06:18 AM

Tax topic 203 does not have anything to do with TurboTax taking out their fees. TurboTax fees would be deducted after your refund is approved and sent to Santa Barabara Tax Group. They handle the processing of the fees when you choose to pay your fees using your refund then they send the refund to you. The IRS has nothing to do with that. The information provided to us by the IRS is that Tax Topic 203 https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc203 is related to offsets. If you called the number to check for an offset and checked under option 1 and 2 and no offsets were listed, then I don't know why they would have that topic listed. You can try calling the general IRS number at 800-829-1040 to see if they can provide you with any clarity.


New Member
Jun 6, 2019 12:06:19 AM

Did you get your money I’m going through the same thing

Returning Member
Jan 21, 2020 4:00:43 PM

I had an offset last tax return but I called and it says I don’t have anything posted. Did it go through for you? Trying to decide whether to file joint or separate. 

New Member
Feb 22, 2020 9:57:42 AM

Did you ever recieve your full amount I have the same thing and owe nothing and it showed my full refund amount im confused

Intuit Alumni
Feb 22, 2020 10:03:38 AM

@Julianal760  Did you have Topic 203 show on your status, on the Where's My Refund? site?

New Member
Feb 22, 2020 11:00:53 AM

Yes I do but I called both offset lines and showes I dont owe anything

New Member
Feb 22, 2020 11:16:54 AM

I also received this tax topic and I opted to have turbo tax take fees out and I have the turbo tax card this year however the offset line says I don't owe a debt. Has anyone received a refund with this error message? 

New Member
Feb 23, 2020 6:59:12 AM

Any updates or answers. I'm wondering the same thing. 

New Member
Feb 26, 2020 9:15:57 AM

I also have the same topic 203 on my tax return and I've found out that if you opted to use your refund to pay turbotax fees that is why. I dont owe any debt either, mine says the same thing. 

Not applicable
Feb 26, 2020 9:37:25 AM

There are many reasons your refund may have been adjusted by the IRS. See this FAQ regarding Refund offset. This information covers Tax Topic 203.

New Member
Feb 26, 2020 7:05:10 PM

Me too...did you get yours direct deposit or Turbo debit card? 

New Member
Feb 26, 2020 7:08:52 PM

I’m in the same boat, but I did the free return, and shouldn’t owe Turbo, or anyone else...supposed to have mine by Friday, I’ll post update if no one else does then

New Member
Mar 1, 2020 10:26:39 AM

Has anyone received their refund yet? I'm going through the same thing with no offsets but I had TurboTax fees taken out. 

Intuit Alumni
Mar 1, 2020 10:47:22 AM

Please see below for more information on your refund being lower:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/why-is-my-refund-lower-than-last-year/00/966839

New Member
Mar 9, 2020 10:09:45 AM

I was hoping that i received the topic 203 because I'm paying Turbo Tax with my refund, but someone said that has nothing to do with getting the topic 203 when you check your refund. Is this true? Because I'm freaking out. Turbo tax is literally the only debt i owe and if its not from them im scared my identity was taken

Intuit Alumni
Mar 9, 2020 10:22:12 AM

Yes. Tax topic 203 is for a refund offset, not for the Refund Processing Service fee. A refund offset is when an IRS refund is reduced or intercepted to pay off delinquent debt, such as past-due child support, outstanding student loans, or unpaid state income tax. For more information please click the link below.

 

 What is a refund offset? - Community - TurboTax

 

 

New Member
Feb 22, 2022 4:45:09 AM

When calling to check on an offset it may appear as if you have none on file and that could be because they have recently been taken out and that will be reflected on a transaction report further along in the teleprompt system.