What Does the Reference Number 1242 Mean From the IRS? (2025)

Every year the IRS delays issuing tax refunds to a certain percentage of taxpayers for various reasons. Some of the most common reasons why tax return processing is delayed are fraud, incorrectly calculated taxable income amounts, or identity theft.

The IRS reference number 1242 indicates that your tax return was flagged for review because it raised fraud or identity theft concerns.

Although this might sound alarming, seeing this reference number isn’t a reason for concern because the IRS system often flags tax returns for review randomly. Hence, you just have to confirm the information you included in your tax return to resume its processing.

Let’s look at the reasons why the IRS reference number 1242 might show up on your tax account and what you can do to resolve the issue quickly.

Table of Contents

The Meaning of the Reference Number 1242

After you e-file a return, the IRS will need a few weeks to add it to the Individual Master File system. This system screens all tax returns and compares them to specific pre-set parameters calibrated to detect inconsistencies and fraudulent activities.

As a result, your tax return might be flagged for review if you claimed an unusual amount of tax credit and countless other reasons. The primary purpose of IRS reference number 1242 is to inform taxpayers that their tax return processing will be frozen until the issue is resolved.

The IRS system mainly uses the random sampling method when flagging and selecting tax returns for review. Hence, the reference number 1242 doesn’t indicate whether a taxpayer has filed a return incorrectly or was being dishonest.

Computer screening and comparing the information from Form W2 and Form 1099 are also among the methods the IRS uses to select tax returns for further review.

Finding the Reference Number 1242

The IRS Where’s My Refund tool enables taxpayers to monitor the status of their tax returns. The tool’s Refund Status section will show the reference number 1242 if the IRS flags your tax return for an additional review.

In most cases, the section’s top segment will show ‘We have received your tax return, and it is being reviewed’ message, followed by the Tax Topic 152, Your Appeal Rights link.

You’ll find the IRS reference number at the bottom of this section within the following message:

‘Please mention reference number 1242 to the IRS customer service.’

This message doesn’t mean you must reach out to the IRS. In fact, you must wait until you receive the CP05 Notice before attempting to fix the problem.

Receiving CP05 Notice

The IRS will send you the CP05 Notice shortly after freezing the processing of your tax return. This Notice usually informs taxpayers that their tax return is under review and doesn’t require any specific action from them.

However, the IRS can use this Notice to request specific taxpayer documents.

What Does the Reference Number 1242 Mean From the IRS? (1)

The document has the ‘What you need to do’ section that outlines the actions you can take and sets the deadline by which the tax return review should be completed. The IRS usually needs sixty days to review a tax return and unfreeze its processing.

Resolving the IRS Reference Number 1242 Issues

If the CP05 Notice you received contained a request for additional information, you should start gathering the documents the IRS requested as soon as possible.

Don’t send the original documents. Instead, make two copies of each document you need to send to the IRS. Keep one and send the other to the IRS via mail. Find the routing number on the CP05 Notice and use it to ensure your documents are delivered to the correct department.

Ideally, you’ll send the requested documents to the IRS within a month to avoid delaying the processing of your tax return for longer than necessary.

If you must go to the nearest IRS office to confirm your identity, you should do so a few days after you get the CP05 Notice.

The IRS urges taxpayers to wait 45 days from the moment they receive a CP05 notice before asking for an update on their tax return’s processing status.

Notice CP05 contains instructions on what to do if you have additional questions. Additionally, you can contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAC) if you can’t resolve the reference number 1242 issue with the IRS on your own.

Optionally, you can get in touch with the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC), which can assist you in finding a solution for your problem free of charge.

How to Avoid Seeing the Reference Number 1242 on Your Next Tax Return?

The fact that most tax returns the IRS system flags for a return are selected randomly suggests there’s nothing you can do to avoid seeing the reference number 1242 in the future.

Using tax software to prepare and e-file your taxes will minimize the margin of error and reduce the chances of your tax return getting flagged for review due to incorrect information.

Hence, double-checking the information you include on a tax return and ensuring it matches the information the IRS got from your employer on Form W2 or Form 1099 is the only way to avoid having your tax return frozen.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does the IRS Need to Complete a Tax Return Review from the Moment Reference Number 1242 Shows Up On My Account?

The IRS will need between 60 and 120 to complete the review of your tax return from the moment it freezes its processing and adds reference number 1242 to your account.

Does Reference Number 1242 Mean My Tax Return Will Be Audited?

The reference number 1242 doesn’t mean the IRS will audit your tax return by default. This reference number only indicates that the IRS plans to conduct an additional review of your tax return. However, you might be facing an audit if the review reveals one or more audit triggers.

Do I Have to Contact the IRS if the Reference Number 1242 Pops Up On My Account?

You don’t have to call the IRS as soon as you see the reference number 1242 in the Refund Status section of the Where’s My Refund app. Instead, you should follow the instructions regarding further steps from the CP05 Notice.

Should I Appeal the Reference Number 1242?

Although taxpayers have this option, appealing the reference number 1242 is often unnecessary because it simply indicates that the IRS must validate certain tax return information.

A tax professional can help you prepare a tax return and ensure that all information you submit to the IRS is accurate.

Visit choicetaxrelief.com or call 866-800-TAX to schedule a free consultation with a CPA who can help you complete a tax return or interpret Notice CP05 correctly.

What Does the Reference Number 1242 Mean From the IRS? (2025)

FAQs

What Does the Reference Number 1242 Mean From the IRS? ›

What is IRS Reference Number 1242? IRS Reference Number 1242 is a code the IRS uses to notify you that your return has been selected for review. Your return will remain frozen in the IRS's system until the review process is complete.

What does reference 1242 mean in IRS? ›

IRS uses code 1242 to indicate that your return was received electrocially, has been selected for review and will be frozen until the review process is complete.

What is Topic 151 reference 1242 Turbotax? ›

It means your return is being reviewed. It's possible that you may have an offset (back taxes, child support, defaulted student loan, etc.) or that you've claimed a credit that's questionable. In a few weeks you should receive a letter explaining any deduction from the amount of refund you expected.

How long can the IRS hold your refund for review? ›

See our Held or Stopped Refund page or our video for more information. If the IRS is reviewing your return, the review process could take anywhere from 45 to 180 days, depending on the number and types of issues the IRS is reviewing.

How long after code 151 will I get my refund? ›

Approximately four weeks after receiving the Tax Topic 151 letter, you can expect a follow-up communication from the IRS called the "Notice of Intent to Offset." In this notification: The IRS will specify the documentation and information it requires from you to complete the processing of your tax return.

What is IRS Code Section 1242? ›

26 U.S. Code § 1242 - Losses on small business investment company stock. such loss would (but for this section) be a loss from the sale or exchange of a capital asset, then such loss shall be treated as an ordinary loss.

What does it mean if your tax return is being reviewed? ›

Why is my return being reviewed? While we accept most tax returns as filed, we select some for examination. The IRS examines some federal tax returns to determine if income, expenses, and credits are reported accurately.

Is tax Topic 151 good or bad? ›

The first Tax Topic 151 letter you will receive is simply a courtesy notification. The IRS is letting you know that it is reviewing your tax return and that your refund might be affected due to outstanding debts that you owe.

What is Topic 151 refund information 2024? ›

Tax Topic 151 means your tax return is now under review by the IRS. The agency either needs to verify certain credits or dependents, or it has determined that your tax refund will be reduced to pay money that it believes you owe.

Is tax topic 152 something to worry about? ›

Does seeing Tax Topic 152 mean there is a problem with my tax return? No, seeing Tax Topic 152 does not mean there is a problem with your tax return. It simply indicates that your return is under processing by the IRS.

How will I know if my refund is flagged? ›

Taxpayers whose tax returns have been flagged for possible identity theft should receive one of the following letters: Letter 5071C, Potential Identity Theft during Original Processing with Online Option – Provides online and phone options and is issued most widely.

Why is the IRS holding my refund for 120 days? ›

The IRS may also hold your tax return (and refund) because of made-up wages or withholding, or fake Forms W-2. These tax returns will be reviewed by an IRS employee; in this case, your tax return could be sitting in a queue for a while.

How do I know if the IRS will offset my refund? ›

To determine whether an offset will occur on a debt owed (other than federal tax), contact BFS's TOP call center at 800-304-3107 (800-877-8339 for TTY/TDD help).

Does 1242 mean audit? ›

The IRS uses code 1242 to indicate in its system that your return was received and is under review. From there you'll be issued a CP05 Notice from the IRS requesting that you verify some of the information you provided in your tax return.

What does reference 1242 mean? ›

Getting a Tax Topic 151 from the IRS with a reference number 1242 usually means you 've been flagged for potential identity theft . This happens when the IRS has detected suspicious activity related to your Social Security number on a tax return that was n't filed by you .

Does tax topic 151 mean offset? ›

Tax Topic 151 means that you're getting a tax offset, which is where the Department of Treasury will be taking your refund to pay for something you owe. The most common reasons for getting a tax offset are unpaid taxes, unpaid child support payments, and offsets for Federal student loans in default.

What does it mean to claim a dependency exemption? ›

Dependent exemption is a type of tax exemption for dependents. It allows you to reduce your taxable income by excluding income for each dependent, which is a child or relative who depends on you to provide for them financially.

Does tax topic 151 mean audit? ›

The first Tax Topic 151 letter you will receive is simply a courtesy notification. The IRS is letting you know that it is reviewing your tax return and that your refund might be affected due to outstanding debts that you owe. In around four weeks, you should receive a follow-up letter from the IRS.

What does it mean when the IRS says not collectible status? ›

There are times where you agree you owe the IRS, but you can't pay due to your current financial situation. If the IRS agrees you can't both pay your taxes and your basic living expenses, it may place your account in Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status.

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