If you prepared and mailed a tax return, you used the software for its purpose. The fee is the same whether you e-file or mail your return in an envelope. If the refund site is not showing any information yet, it is likely because it is taking more than six months for the IRS to process mailed returns. Until a human opens your envelope and enters your return into the system, it will say there is no information and it will look like you have not filed yet.
https://www.businessinsider.com/taxpayers-filing-paper-returns-wait-6-months-tax-refund-2022-4#:~:te...
IRS link pertaining to processing of 2021 returns:
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue#coll...
It can take weeks (or a LOT longer since the IRS is severely backlogged) for anything to show up on the IRS site when you mail a tax return.
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 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
If you are wondering if you should send your return again——the IRS does not want you to file a second time. Putting two tax returns into the system at the same time can lead to confusion and even more delays. If you did not use tracking and do not know if the return was received—-you have to make your own judgment call and decide if you want to risk further delay by sending the return again.
**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
