Did IRS receive my paper filing?

[captainrooster]

I paper filed July 1st (have an extension on file), today is September 30th and the Where's My Refund website doesn't even show the return as received. Unfortunately I lacked the presence of mind to mail my return as certified so I didn't get tracking info so I have no way of knowing if they received my return. Obviously this means I didn't get my refund, either.

Can anyone tell me what my options are?  If they never received it I would hate to be penalized for "not filing on time"...  What do I do? Mail everything again? File electronically? Is there a live IRS person I can talk to? Local office appointment? Thanks..

[xmasbaby0]

MAILED RETURNS

Per the IRS:

COVID-19 Mail Processing Delays

It’s taking us longer to process mailed documents including:

• Paper tax returns, and
• All tax return related correspondence.

We are processing all mail in the order we received it.

Do not file a second tax return or call the IRS.

 It can take 3-4 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.  Expect at least several months for complete processing of a mailed return and probably MUCH longer.

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 judgement call and decide if you want to risk further delay by sending the return again.

There is no late filing penalty if you are getting a refund or do not owe tax due.  If you owe tax due, you were supposed to file and pay by May 17, 2021.   The postmark on your envelope will show the IRS when you mailed the return.

[GeorgeDenseff]

Mailing it again could cause it to take longer to process.  The IRS is behind by millions of returns.  There are mail trailers in their parking lots stuffed full of unopened envelopes.  Just keeping check the IRS site weekly and hope it shows up soon.

[captainrooster]

ok, so it's perfectly normal that I don't see "return received" after nearly 3 months then.. I just didn't want to get in trouble if they claim I never filed my taxes... hopefully by October 15th there will be an update... I don't care if processing takes longer (it's a crazy time) I just want to know they received it...

[captainrooster]

thanks GeorgeDenseff just now saw your response... ok I'll wait a bit longer

[xmasbaby0]

We hear from lots of people who mailed returns and are still waiting months later to see anything on the IRS site.  If you did not use tracking to get confirmation that your return was received then you just have to wait it out.   Check the IRS site weekly; eventually your envelope will be opened by a human and be put into the system.

[fanfare]

According to IRS news, IRS is opening paper returns as they are received,

According to IRS procedures I found online, someone has to visually verify a paper tax return before it can be keyed in.