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New Member
posted Jun 3, 2019 12:13:40 PM

How do I confirm that the IRS received my paper mailed tax return?

I would like to confirm that the IRS received my tax return that was paper mailed.

1 86 93934
24 Replies
Intuit Alumni
Jun 3, 2019 12:13:41 PM

The IRS asks you to wait 4 weeks after you mail your return before looking up your refund at Where's My Refund?

The "Where's My Refund" tool, located at https://www.irs.gov/refunds, follows your tax return from receipt to completion. It will tell you when your return is in received status and if your refund is in approved or sent status.

The IRS releases most refunds within 21 calendar days after the e-filed return has been accepted. For mailed returns, allow 5–6 weeks from the postmark date.

For more information please click the link below.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/5340655

Level 1
May 4, 2020 12:06:07 PM

I mailed my refund but don’t know what’s going on

Expert Alumni
May 4, 2020 12:11:07 PM

Currently, unless you sent it with a tracking number to show delivery you cannot check on the status of a paper filed return currently.  

 

The IRS is closed and is not processing these returns at this time.  They will resume processing when they return to normal operations.  It is not currently known when that will be.  

 

 

@tyrelltaylor

Level 1
May 4, 2020 12:17:53 PM

So basically me and my kids are screwed and los our home cause of this

New Member
Jul 8, 2020 2:50:58 PM

I mailed my paper tax return on Feb 23rd or 24th 2019. I have heard nothing back and have used the IRS "where is my refund" program many times. How do I know if the IRS even received it? And how can I get any response from the IRS.

Level 15
Jul 8, 2020 2:57:49 PM

They just started opening the mail that has been stacking up in trailers. You have to keep waiting.

See this IRS page for the latest information

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue

 

New Member
Jul 17, 2020 5:33:22 AM

I filed my return in February however I missed the 1095 and had to send it later.  I did  that the first part of March.  Now, I have not received my refund and do not know the status of my tax return.  How can I find that out?

New Member
Oct 15, 2020 8:13:43 AM

I mailed in my tax return July 13 with a response verification, but have not received a response. Using the "Where's My Tax Return" online service responds with me not having put in the correct information. Is it still the case that I am unable to determine if a mailed in paper return has been received?

Level 15
Oct 15, 2020 8:23:52 AM


@chrisjc-williams wrote:

I mailed in my tax return July 13 with a response verification, but have not received a response. Using the "Where's My Tax Return" online service responds with me not having put in the correct information. Is it still the case that I am unable to determine if a mailed in paper return has been received?


The IRS was not processing any mailed paper tax returns for several months due to the pandemic and limited staffing.  They have only just recently started to process approximately 11 million paper returns in the order they were received.

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

 

We’re experiencing delays in processing paper tax returns due to limited staffing. If you already filed a paper return, we will process it in the order we received it.

Do not file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your return.

New Member
Oct 24, 2020 2:40:12 PM

DID IRS RECEIVE MY 2019 TAX RETURN

Level 15
Oct 24, 2020 3:55:56 PM

@SEBCICITTA 

 

Did you mail your tax return?

 

MAILED RETURNS

 

The IRS has just started to work through millions of mailed returns that have been piling up in trailers during the pandemic.  All you can do is watch the IRS refund site to see when your return makes it to the surface and goes into processing. Sorry.

 

Per the IRS website IRS Operations During COVID-19: Mission-critical functions continue:

 

IRS operational status and alternatives

Processing Delays for Paper Tax Returns: Taxpayers should file electronically through their tax preparer, tax software provider, or IRS Free File

We’re experiencing delays in processing paper tax returns due to limited staffing. If you already filed a paper return, we will process it in the order we received it.

Do not file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your 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 finally opens its mail and begins to process mailed returns you can check the status on the IRS site. https://www.irs.gov/refunds

 

 

 

Or did you e-file?

 

Did you click a big orange button that said “Transmit my returns now?”

 

When you e-file your federal return you will receive two emails from TurboTax.  The first one will say that your return was submitted.  The second email will tell you if your federal return was accepted or rejected.  If you e-filed a state return, there will be a third email to tell you if the state accepted or rejected your state return.

 

First, check your e-file status to see if your return was accepted:

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/

If the IRS accepted it, what does it say here? 

https://www.irs.gov/refunds           Or does your account say “Ready to Mail?”

 

Note: If it says “Ready to Mail” or “Printed” that means YOU have to mail it yourself.  TurboTax does not mail your tax return for you.

New Member
Nov 3, 2020 7:59:21 AM

is there a way (or a number to call) to verify with the IRS that my tax return was received?

Level 15
Nov 3, 2020 8:21:50 AM

@DJ506 Did you read the reply that is directly above your own question? If not, then return to the thread and read.

Level 15
Nov 3, 2020 8:23:30 AM


@DJ506 wrote:

is there a way (or a number to call) to verify with the IRS that my tax return was received?


If you did use a tracking service from the post office when you mailed the federal tax return, there is no way to verify that the return was received by the IRS.  There is no IRS phone to call to verify that the return was received.

 

The IRS was not processing any mailed paper tax returns for several months due to the pandemic and limited staffing.  They have only just recently started to process approximately 11 million paper returns in the order they were received.

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

 

We’re experiencing delays in processing paper tax returns due to limited staffing. If you already filed a paper return, we will process it in the order we received it.

Do not file a second tax return or contact the IRS about the status of your return.

New Member
Mar 12, 2021 6:49:21 AM

I mailed in my 2019 1040 tax return last year. Wondering if received. Never received a balance owe statement. Wondering if I will receive the stimulus check. Please email me results ASAP. Thank You, Kim Yager

Expert Alumni
Mar 12, 2021 7:00:20 AM

The IRS does not issue acknowledgements of paper filed returns.  If you had a balance due, did you include a payment with your return?  If so, was the check cashed?

 

To contact the IRS, please review the steps and information below:


IRS Support Number: (800) 829-1040


To reach a live agent at the IRS support number, follow these steps:

1.      Select your preferred language.

2.      Press 2 for “Personal Income Tax”

3.      Press 1 for “Form, Tax History, or Payment”

4.      Press 3 for “All Other Questions”

5.      Press 2 for “All Other Questions”

6.      Do not enter your SSN or EIN. It will ask you twice; do not enter anything.

7.      Press 2 for “Personal or Individual Tax Questions”


They are available Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time (Alaska & Hawaii follow Pacific Time).


 

Some additional resources you can try are listed below:

  1. Contact a local IRS office.  Click this link for contact information:  Contact Your Local IRS Office
  2. The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS), which is an independent organization within the IRS. Click this link  Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS)

 

Level 15
Mar 12, 2021 7:00:31 AM

No one at TurboTax can find out if the IRS received a tax return that you mailed to the IRS.   When you mail a tax return  (or anything else) to the IRS you should use certified mail or some sort of mailing service that will track it so you will know it was received.  The IRS does not tell TurboTax anything about your return after it has been filed.

 

If you owed tax due and did not pay it at the time you mailed the tax return, your penalties and interest have been adding up since July 15, 2020.   Only your own bank account or credit card records can prove that you paid your tax due.

 

 

We cannot see your information so we do not know about your eligibility for a stimulus check.

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-topics/help/how-will-the-stimulus-package-impact-me/01/1393859#U1393859

New Member
Mar 17, 2021 1:41:50 PM

How do I know if the it's received my 1040, I'm on disability

Level 15
Mar 17, 2021 1:44:32 PM

Did you mail it or efile?  If you mailed it the only way to know is if you got a tracking number from the post office.

 

If you efiled.  

Did you go all the way through the File tab, through the 3 steps and hit the big orange Transmit Returns Now button?

 

You can check your efile status here     

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/   

 

When you efile you get back 2 emails.  The first email only confirms the transmission.  The second email says if the IRS (or state) Accepted or Rejected your efile.

 

When you log into your account you should also see the status and if it was Accepted or Rejected, Started, Printed, Ready to Mail, etc.  What does it say?

New Member
Apr 8, 2021 4:15:01 PM

Did IRS  receive my mail in tax forms?

Level 15
Apr 8, 2021 4:17:08 PM


@Downpost79 wrote:

Did IRS  receive my mail in tax forms?


TurboTax would have no knowledge about the status of a mailed tax return.  Did you use a tracking service from the US post office when the return was mailed?

New Member
Apr 12, 2021 12:33:02 PM

How can I find out if the IRS received my tax paper or not

Level 15
Apr 12, 2021 4:36:37 PM

@Joannsmithlee 

 

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 longer since the IRS is backlogged) for anything to show up on the IRS site when you mail a tax return.  Expect 6-8 weeks for complete processing of a mailed 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

New Member
Apr 28, 2021 7:13:53 PM

I mailed in my tax return late in Feb. and every time I try to check on it they basically say I don't exist. I gave them all the information they ask for and they don't have any record of me. I used "where is my refund".