2020 paper tax filing not processed yet

[praveenps]

I have mailed my paper tax return (Married Filing Joint) with W7 [ITIN for spouse] application, and was received by IRS on Oct 13, 2021. ITIN for my spouse was mailed on Nov 11, 2021. But the returns has not been processed by IRS even though processing time says 90 to 120 days due to covid delays:

1) Do I need to do anything since it is already past 120 days even if I consider the ITIN generation date?

2) IRS status still says "Your 2020 Tax Return Has Not Been Processed and the Due Date Has Passed". Is it normal for IRS to have this status even though they have processed my spouses ITIN which was mailed with return documents?

3) Can I refile electronically for 2020 with Spouse ITIN?

[bluedeb · Accepted solution]

The IRS is backlogged so yes it can take allot longer to process returns.  2020 returns are taking longer to process since the 2021 tax system is in full swing.

You can e-file your 2020 return since you already mailed in the return.  That could delay your 2020 return even longer.  

If you want to e-file your 2021 returns with your spouse's ITIN, then when it asks for your 2020 AGI, put a Zero since your 2020 returns have not been processed yet.

[praveenps]

Thank you bluedeb.

Is it normal for IRS to not acknowledge that they have at least received the filing since they have processed the W7 and generated the ITIN which was all part of the same document package mailed to them.

On the 2021 filing, Yes, I have filed electronically through Turbotax and received refund already using Zero for 2020 AGI.

[bluedeb · Accepted solution]

@praveenps  Yes, the IRS most likely processed your ITIN application which done separate from processing your return.  It is taking them allot longer to show the information for 2020 returns & also a delay in processing 2020 returns.