Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
New Member
posted Jun 3, 2019 5:04:36 PM

Did anybody get it topic tax 201 on their refund after filed were you able to make payment arrangements and still get your refund

1 28 19217
24 Replies
Level 15
Jun 3, 2019 5:04:38 PM

Sorry ... they have the money and you are not getting it back no matter what you do ... they will apply it to the debt you have even if you set up payments.  



Tax Topic 201 means that you owe tax to the IRS. 

Tax Topic 201 explains the collection process for income tax due. It says that "if you don't pay your tax in full when you file your tax return, you'll receive a bill for the amount you owe. This bill starts the collection process...." It goes on to say that the first notice you receive will explain the balance due so that should give you insight into why you owe tax. They also give you an option to make payments on the amount that you owe. 

The IRS website below provides additional information:

https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc201.html

Level 1
Mar 15, 2020 8:47:26 AM

I got one after I had filed. And I can't find how much it is or what is it that I owe and it's driving me nuts

Level 15
Mar 15, 2020 9:50:25 AM

You can check with the Bureau of Fiscal Services to see if there is an offset order on record for you:

 

You can contact the IRS Treasury Offset Program Call Center at 1-800-304-3107 to ask if they have an offset for you on file. TurboTax would not have that information.

 

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/tax-payments/who-can-garnish-an-income-tax-refund/L7cPPzDyc

 

https://www.irs.gov/uac/tax-refund-offsets-pay-unpaid-debts

New Member
Mar 21, 2020 6:04:54 AM

  • I got tax topic 201 and I don't owe anyone. 

Intuit Alumni
Mar 21, 2020 8:08:20 AM

@Klrjones Tax topic 201 means that you owe taxes to the IRS, and they need to be paid or an installment agreement needs to be set up by 4/15/2020. If you cannot pay your balance in full, you are able to apply for an installment agreement with the IRS. To do so, click here: Additional Information on Payment Plans

"WKins2 Employee Tax Expert"

New Member
Mar 25, 2020 8:13:02 AM

I never received any type of payment request from irs but they took my refund stating 201 topic..so how do I get my monies back

Intuit Alumni
Mar 25, 2020 8:27:43 AM

Refer to the following IRS page to learn more about Tax Topic 201:  IRS.gov - Tax Topic 201 The Collection Process.

 

You will need to call the IRS directly to discuss the garnishment of your refund and if you are able to get it back.  Go here for steps to reach a live IRS agent when you call.

New Member
Apr 8, 2020 11:11:43 AM

I got topic 201 and 203 they did reduce I owe 100 in child support but I got the rest does that mean I still owe them or I'm fin??

Expert Alumni
Apr 8, 2020 11:40:51 AM

If you received the remainder of your refund, you have satisfied your child support obligation for now. I suggest if you need to make future child support payments, stay current so this won't be a future issue.

Returning Member
Apr 9, 2020 5:24:45 PM

I have a topic 201. But student loans are supposed to be waived. Why do I need to set up a payment arrangement when default loans are being waived? And how can I speak to someone at the IRS when nobody is there to speak to?

Expert Alumni
Apr 10, 2020 6:19:49 PM

The stimulus checks will be paid with no regard to student loans. 

The same is not true regarding tax refunds. 

 

Link about offsets

New Member
Apr 18, 2020 4:16:38 AM

I have a question, so I filed 2018 and 2019 on April 3. Just today I got a status of Tax Topic 201. Will I get my stimulus check now that they have my direct deposit information since I filed both years?

New Member
Jun 6, 2020 2:11:07 AM

Do they take your stimulus check if you owe back in taxes.?

Level 15
Jun 6, 2020 4:56:11 AM

No ... only child support will be taken. 

New Member
Jun 7, 2020 12:35:28 PM

Did u hear anything yet from them I'm having the same problem

Level 2
Mar 22, 2021 7:16:14 AM

Same here

Intuit Alumni
Mar 22, 2021 9:13:47 AM

@Catchme55

 

Tax Topic 201 means that you owe tax to the IRS. Tax Topic 201 explains the collection process for income tax due. It says that "if you don't pay your tax in full when you file your tax return, you'll receive a bill for the amount you owe. This bill starts the collection process...." It goes on to say that the first notice you receive will explain the balance due so that should give you insight into why you owe tax. They also give you an option to make payments on the amount that you owe.

 

The IRS website below provides additional information

Level 1
Apr 3, 2021 3:39:24 PM

So tax topic 202 could be from past due child support?

Intuit Alumni
Apr 4, 2021 9:04:57 AM

Tax Topic 202 is related to Tax Payment Options, Please see this IRS article for an explanation: Topic No. 202 Tax Payment Options

@HeatherLM

New Member
Apr 5, 2021 7:36:17 AM

Why is it explaining about that if I gave them all my tax returns and the live expert did my taxes for me , but all they do is explain but they never gave me a payment that’s due or anything and that been my status for a whole month now , what u think is happening because I also showed that I was getting unemployment after I get lost my job back in 2020

Intuit Alumni
Apr 5, 2021 9:15:26 AM

Please see the above response from SForrestLO:

 

Tax Topic 201 means that you owe tax to the IRS. Tax Topic 201 explains the collection process for income tax due. It says that "if you don't pay your tax in full when you file your tax return, you'll receive a bill for the amount you owe. This bill starts the collection process...." It goes on to say that the first notice you receive will explain the balance due so that should give you insight into why you owe tax. They also give you an option to make payments on the amount that you owe.

 

The IRS website below provides additional information

 

New Member
Feb 24, 2022 8:46:14 PM

What if I'm almost certain I don't owe any back taxes? I don't really make enough money or have any real equity to speak of that require taxes being paid.

Intuit Alumni
Feb 25, 2022 7:04:07 AM

@Jewsis01

 

You will need to reach out to the IRS in regards to this.  

 

IRS: 800-829-1040  

Hours: 7 AM - 7 PM, local time 

Monday-Friday

  • Listen to each menu before making the selection.
  • First choose your language. Press 1 for English.
  • Then do NOT choose the first choice re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.
  • Instead, press 2 for "personal income tax".
  • Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".  
  • Then press 3 "for all other questions."
  • day
  • Then press 2 "for all other questions."  It should then transfer you to an agent.

New Member
Mar 1, 2022 6:13:41 PM

Okay I got a credit for 3750 and topic 201 for 1600 of it will I receive my remaining bal or do they just keep it I owed the irs