1040X for 2021 - Electronically filed through TurboTax on 26 April 2022 - IRS says it has no record of the filing

[rgbarlow]

I electronically filed both my primary return for 2021 on April 16th 2022 and an amended return (1040X) on April 26th 2022.  Both show status "Congratulations the IRS has accepted your return and your'e finished with your taxes." But I never received the refund due on the 1040X. And IRS says they have no record of that filing.  Thanks TurboTax; what went wrong and how do you fix it??

[xmasbaby0]

Even during “normal” times it takes about four months for the IRS to process an amended return.  During the pandemic and due to the severe backlog at the IRS it is taking much longer—six to nine  months or more for many amended returns.  Do not expect quick results from amending.  When the IRS issues a refund for an amended return it will be by check.  They do not make direct deposits for refunds for amended returns.  You can watch for information here:

https://www.irs.gov/Filing/Individuals/Amended-Returns-(Form-1040-X)/Wheres-My-Amended-Return-1

And you only waited ten days after filing your original return and then sent in an amended return.  You are supposed to wait until the original return has been fully processed before you amend.  Amending too soon can lead to confusion and longer delays.

[Critter-3]

Agreed ... amending too soon is most likely the issue for the delay as a human needs to figure out why there are 2 returns for the same person in the system at the same time and human reviews are taking as long as a year sometimes.   

[NCperson]

@rgbarlow amendments are backlogged with the IRS stating it is taking more than 20 weeks to process and they provide no upper bound on that number.  there are 600,000 amendements in queue which is down from 2 million back in June.  So they are making progress, but the IRS is still stating 'over 5 months' of wait time. 

[rgbarlow]

Thanks - I spoke w/ the T-Tax rep who will send the electronic/digital record that T-Tax transmitted to the IRS and suggested sending that info w/ a snail-mailed hard copy to the IRS. Will probably try that route as it's now been 7+ months since electronic submission.  Must say that the T-Tax rep was great and extremely helpful; problem seems to be strictly on the IRS end of things - no surprise there.

[Critter-3]

You said the original return was also not processed yet ... the amendment will not start processing until the original return has finished.   Mailing in a second amendment is a waste of ink, paper and postage.

After the tax return has been Accepted by the IRS (meaning only that they received the return) it will be in the Processing mode until the tax refund has been Approved and then a date for Sending will be available on the IRS website.

See this IRS website for federal tax refund FAQ's - https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

Only the IRS controls when and if a tax refund is Approved and Sent.

Call the IRS:  1-800-829-1040  hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Monday-Friday

When calling the IRS do NOT choose the first option re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.  

So after first choosing your language, then do NOT choose Option 1 (refund info).  Choose option 2 for "personal income tax" instead.

Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".   

Then press 3 "for all other questions."

Then press 2 "for all other questions."  

- When it asks you to enter your SSN or EIN to access your account information, don’t enter anything.  

- After it asks twice, you will get another menu.

Then press 2 for personal or individual tax questions.

Then press 4 for all other inquiries.

It should then transfer you to an agent.

Or you can contact your local IRS office.  See this IRS website for local IRS offices - http://www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-Your-Local-IRS-Office-1 or call 1-844-545-5640 to set up an appointment

Or you may want to contact a Taxpayer Advocate in your area.  See this IRS website for Taxpayer Advocate in your area and a toll free number - http://www.irs.gov/Advocate/Local-Taxpayer-Advocate

[NCperson]

@rgbarlow - IRS website states DO NOT SEND A 2nd COPY.

if you can track your amendment here, then patience is the way to go. 

https://www.irs.gov/filing/wheres-my-amended-return