12 weeks and no return

[kramerw1999]

This year was the first year that my efile was rejected.  I know it is because my wife passed away.  So, the IRS likes to add pain to my loss.  It has been 12 weeks since my paper tax filling was receive by the IRS.  When I check the refund status on the IRS web site it only states that it is being process.

[JMooney]

Same problem here. My husband died. My e-file wouldn't go through so I mailed my return late February or early March. All I can get from the IRS is that they are processing it. I overpaid them on withholding so should be getting a rather large refund. There is nothing unusual about my return, just took the standard deduction. Although I would like to have my money back I'm more worried that they will mail me a request for something and I am leaving the country for three months so won't be able to respond. I wish Turbo Tax would make it more clear that e-file won't work for a deceased spouse, I even paid to file my state tax return electronically and of course it was rejected as well. Sadly, I under withheld my state taxes so the state processed my paper return and cashed my check right away.

[xmasbaby0]

So sorry for your loss.  I wish I could tell you better news about the status of your mailed return, but it is not good news.  The IRS has not been opening its mail due to the pandemic.  They had to send many workers home home to work from home so the mailed returns have just piled up.  That is why you are not seeing progress on the processing of your mailed return yet.

MAILED RETURNS

Per the IRS website IRS Operations During COVID-19: Mission-critical functions continue: The IRS is not currently able to process individual paper tax returns. If you already have filed via paper but it has not yet been processed, do not file a second tax return or write to the IRS to inquire about the status of your return or your economic impact payment. Paper returns will be processed  once processing centers are able to reopen. 

If you mail a tax return (or a payment) to the IRS, it is a good idea to use a mailing service that will track it like UPS or certified mail so you will know it was received.

When you mail a tax return, you need to attach any documents showing tax withheld, such as your W-2’s or any 1099’s. 

TurboTax will not know anything about your mailed return, and will continue to show “Ready to Mail” on your account.  TurboTax will not know that you put your tax return in an envelope and took it to a mailbox.  TurboTax does not get updates on mailed  (or e-filed) returns.

When the IRS finally opens its mail and begins to process mailed returns you can check the status on the IRS site. https://www.irs.gov/refunds

State returns have to be mailed to the state.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899433-how-do-i-track-my-state-refund

[kramerw1999]

Thank you for your input. 

[Kennethclayton2017]

I efiled my return and this is the 12th week with a still processing

[DoninGA]

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@Kennethclayton2017 wrote:

I efiled my return and this is the 12th week with a still processing

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The IRS is seriously behind in processing 2020 tax returns.  This is due to many factors, such as the pandemic, completing processing of millions of 2019 tax returns, stimulus payments, unemployment compensation exclusion tax refunds., changes in the tax code by Congress in the middle of the 2020 tax season and the like.

Millions of taxpayers have not yet received there federal tax refunds.

Go to this IRS website for operational status - https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue

As of May 28, 2021, we had 19,000 individual tax returns received prior to 2021 in the processing pipeline. Including current year returns, as of May 28, 2021, we had 18.1 million unprocessed individual returns in the pipeline. Unprocessed returns include those requiring correction to the Recovery Rebate Credit amount or validation of 2019 income used to figure the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). This work does not require us to correspond with taxpayers but does require special handling by an IRS employee so, in these instances, it is taking the IRS more than 21 days to issue any related refund. If, as a result, a correction is made to any RRC, EITC or ACTC claimed on the return, the IRS will send taxpayers an explanation. Taxpayers are encouraged to continue to check Where’s My Refund? for their personalized refund status and can review Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions.

Once a tax return has been Accepted by the IRS or a State, TurboTax receives no further information concerning the tax return or the status of any tax refund.

If accepted by the IRS use the federal tax refund website to check the refund status - https://www.irs.gov/refunds
If accepted by the state use this TurboTax support FAQ to check the state tax refund status - https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899433-how-do-i-track-my-state-refund

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 an Issue Date 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
If over 21 days since being Accepted by the IRS and the tax refund is still Processing you can call the IRS and speak with an IRS agent concerning your tax refund.
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.

Press 2 for personal or individual tax questions.
Then press 4 for all other inquiries
It should then transfer you to an agent.