2nd amended return 1040-X

[tonybeo]

I mailed in a 2nd amendment to my 2016 return on 4/6/20 (which was 18 weeks ago).  When I try to use the "where's my amended return" tool on the IRS website, it reports on the 1ft amendment (that I did last year) and lists it as complete but it does not report on the status of the 2nd amendment that I did this year.

Is there a way to check the status of a 2nd amendment?  Should it be complete if it has been 18 weeks since I mailed it?

Thanks in advance for help with this.🙂

[Texas Roger · Accepted solution]

It is taking a lot longer for amended returns to be processed due to the Covid-19 slowdown in the IRS operations. They did not even process any mailed returns for many weeks and are now slowly catching up. All you can do is to continue to track the status using the web site.

You can try calling the IRS but if they haven't even opened your mailed return yet, they won't be able to tell you anything. 

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.

[tonybeo]

Thanks Texas Roger,

I got someone on the phone but they said that they do not see my file in the system and that it may not have been opened yet.  They also said that the 16 weeks (that are allowed for processing amended returns) is being reset with a new start date of 8/1/2020 for any amendments (or other paper returns?)  that were sent in anytime after covid-19 appeared. ☹️

Thanks.

[tonybeo]

Texas Roger,

I also had amended my 2019 return about a month ago.  Do you know why the "where's my amended return" tool does not offer me to view the status of that year (it only offers me to select either 2016 or 2018 tax years but does not offer 2019 as an option)?

Thanks.

[Texas Roger · Accepted solution]

You can't track an amended return until it has been opened by the IRS and they start processing it. A return mailed a month ago is likely still in the stacks of unopened returns waiting in the huge backlog of returns to be processed.