The IRS 9001 code is one of the most common Where’s My Refund errors taxpayers encounter when checking their tax refund status.
The IRS uses this code to tell WMR’s users that the data they provided during the log-in is incorrect. You’ll only see this code if you’re using the WMR or IRS2Go app and make a mistake when trying to log in, but the 9001 Code will never be included in an IRS transcript.
There’s no reason to worry if this error code pops up on the screen after you try to access your WMR account because fixing the issue won’t take more than a few minutes. Let’s take a closer look at IRS Code 9001 and what it means for your refund.
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Demystifying IRS Error Codes
The WMR app can display over a hundred error and reference codes. These four-digit numbers can indicate anything from fraud suspicion, like Reference Number 1242, to clerical errors, such as Code 9021.
The IRS might also use tax topics to explain further its motives for taking a certain action. For instance, Tax Topic 152 offers a list of reasons why the processing of your tax return might be delayed, and you may see it next to a variety of reference codes.
The Internal Revenue Manual contains the list of all codes the IRS might add to your WMR account and their descriptions. These descriptions are often hard to understand because of the language the IRS uses to explain a reference code’s purpose.
The IRS will send you a notice if they need more information about your return, so there’s no need to act as soon as you see an error code or a reference number on your WMR account.
Differentiating Between Primary And Secondary SSNs
All tax returns must include Social Security Numbers and Taxpayer Identification Numbers. The number of SSNs or TINs on a return depends on the taxpayer’s filing status and the number of dependents they claim.
If your filing status is Single and you don’t claim dependents, your tax return will have just one SSN and TIN.
On the other hand, if you and your spouse choose the married filing jointly status and you have two children you claim as dependents, your tax return will have four SSNs.
The primary taxpayer will be the person whose name and SSN are on Form 1040’s first line. The name and SSN of the taxpayer provided on the form’s second line are secondary, as well as the SSNs of all dependents you claim.
Hence, the IRS will address all correspondence to the primary taxpayer and release the refund to their bank account.
A Quick Guide to the Where’s My Refund Tool?
The IRS allows taxpayers to check the status of their tax returns at any moment. You just have to set up a WMR account, and you’ll have access to the latest updates on your return’s status.
The app asks for the following information during login:
- Taxpayer’s SSN or TIN.
- Taxpayer’s filing status.
- The expected refund amount (as specified on the return).
Please note that you must provide the return’s primary SSN or TIN to log in to your WMR account. You cannot access a WMR account with a secondary SSN or TIN because the app will display IRS Code 9001.
Hence, your spouse or children cannot use their SSNs or TINs to check the return’s status with the WMR app. After you log in successfully, you’ll see your return’s current processing stage or the refund date if the refund is already approved.
Cracking The IRS 9001 Code
The message that accompanies IRS 9001 Code is often a source of confusion.
It states: Taxpayer accessed Refund Status using secondary TIN. Refund Status could not be returned. Get a Primary TIN, analyze the account, and follow appropriate IRM.’
Although the message might seem cryptic, its meaning is straightforward as it only informs you that the login data you used was incorrect. The first part of the message tells you why the WMR displayed Code 9001, as you can only log in to this app with a primary TIN or SSN.
Its middle section reveals that WMR couldn’t display your return’s status because the SSN or TIN was wrong. This section doesn’t indicate that the processing of your return is on pause or that your refund is delayed.
The last part of the message tells you to provide the correct login information to access your account. It also refers you to the Internal Revenue Manual (IRM) for more information regarding the appropriate log-in process.
Fixing IRS 9001 Code And Dealing With Identity Theft
Inserting the return’s primary SSN or TIN will solve the IRS 9001 Code problem. Look at the copy of the latest tax return or the primary taxpayer’s social security card to find the SSN you can use to log in to WMR.
Don’t forget to check for typos if you used the primary SSN during the log-in and still encountered Code 9001 because the reason you’re seeing this code can simply be a mistyped SSN.
The number of log-in attempts within 24 hours on WMR is limited to three, and you’ll risk raising identity theft suspicion if you have too many unsuccessful log-in attempts.
The IRS might put the processing of your return on pause if you use the wrong SSN too many times and ask you to confirm your identity.
Consequently, you should check all the login data you used during an unsuccessful login attempt before trying to access your WMR account again.
Besides making sure you used the correct SSN, you should also check if the refund amount matches the amount on the return to avoid further problems with IRS Code 9001.
Frequently Asked Questions
Calling the IRS won’t help you get rid of Code 9001, even if you manage to speak with an agent. However, you should go to a local IRS office if you keep seeing Code 9001 even though you’re using the correct login data because the code could indicate a potential identity theft issue.
This error code doesn’t indicate there’s anything wrong with your tax return or that your refund will be late. It only informs you that IRS couldn’t display your return’s current status because the login details were incorrect.
The IRS may temporarily block your WMR account if you use the wrong login information too often. The best way to avoid having your WMR account blocked is to limit your daily login attempt to just two.
This code will disappear as soon as you enter the correct SSN or TIN, filing status, and expected refund amount.
Learning to Avoid IRS 9001 Code
Seeing IRS 9001 Code when you attempt to access your WMR account is annoying, but it has no bearing on your tax return’s status.
This code informs you that you used the wrong SSN to log in, so remembering the primary taxpayer’s SSN is the only thing you’ll have to do to avoid seeing it.
Writing down the correct SSN, filing status, and refund amount is the simplest way to prevent potential problems when logging in to your WMR account because you won’t have to look for copies of your latest tax return or social security card whenever you want to check your refund’s status.
We hope this article has helped you understand what IRS 9001 Code means and what to do to avoid it.
Author:
Logan is a practicing CPA and founder of Choice Tax Relief and Money Done Right. After spending nearly a decade in the corporate world helping big businesses save money, he launched his blog with the goal of helping everyday Americans earn, save, and invest more money. Learn more about Logan.
