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

[xmasbaby0]

@ton06 That issue was already covered in my reply above.  If you did not use a mailing service to track the envelope when you mailed your return, you will not know the IRS received it until someday when they open the envelope and enter the return into the system.  Until then, you just have to wait patiently.   TurboTax has no way to know that you mailed it, and will not ever have any updates.

[binon]

I filed my federal return in early March, but have not received my refund.  I have called 6 IRS phone numbers and tried the IRS refund website.  Each time I get a message that they "cannot provide any information."  My 2 U.S. Senators' staffs do not return my several voice mail messages.  I do not not if the USPS lost my return, if the IRS has lost my return, or if it is in process at the IRS.  The IRS Account Transcript shows a credit in my account for the interim taxes that I have paid.  Can you help me?

[NCperson]

@binon - unfortunately, the IRS is backlogged easy 6-9 months on paper filed returns..... it represents 80% of all their backlogs..... best advice: just be patient until the fall..... unlikely the IRS lost you return and in fact if you enclosed a check inside the envelope with the paper return, that is evidence itself that they have the return.

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

As of June 10, 2022, we had 11 million unprocessed individual returns which include returns received before 2022, and new tax year 2021 returns. Of these, 1.9 million returns require error correction or other special handling, and 9.1 million are paper returns waiting to be reviewed and processed. This work does not typically require us to correspond with taxpayers but does require special handling by an IRS employee so, in these instances, it is taking the IRS more than 21 days to issue any related refund and in some cases this work could take 90 to 120 days. If a correction is made to any Recovery Rebate Credit, Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit claimed on the return, the IRS will send taxpayers an explanation. Taxpayers are encouraged to continue to check Tax Season

[pkochano]

I mailed my tax return by Priority mail to the IRS on March 1, 2022 which they received on March 4th.  This is approximately a 4 month period, and still the return has not been processed.  I have tried contacting the IRS by phone but even after countless attempts, I have not been able to get through.  Is a delay of this magnitude common in 2022?

[xmasbaby0]

@pkochano

MAILED RETURNS

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.

[Mike9241]

for a mailed return 6 months or more is common. with a mailed return calling will not help. until it's entered into the system the agent will have no info that it was received. the system will show that it was not received.

[NCperson]

@pkochano - unfortunately, the IRS is woefully backlogged.  They process returns in the order received and they just began processing paper returns received in February LAST WEEK.  Paper returns represent 80% of the IRS backog.

so there is nothing you can do but be patient and assume it will be 6-9 months from March until the return is processed. 

from the IRS website: 

As of June 24, 2022, we had 11.2 million unprocessed individual returns which include returns received before 2022, and new tax year 2021 returns. Of these, 1.9 million returns require error correction or other special handling, and 9.3 million are paper returns waiting to be reviewed and processed. This work does not typically require us to correspond with taxpayers but does require special handling by an IRS employee so, in these instances, it is taking the IRS more than 21 days to issue any related refund and in some cases this work could take 90 to 120 days. If a correction is made to any Recovery Rebate Credit, Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit claimed on the return, the IRS will send taxpayers an explanation. Taxpayers are encouraged to continue to check Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions.

[DanOttoline]

How do I confirm that the IRS received my paper mailed tax return?  I mailed before April 15.  When I look on "Where's my Refund", It does not recognize any information.

[VolvoGirl]

The only way to know for sure is to mail it with a tracking number from the post office.   Do not mail it again.  The IRS is behind on updating their website.  Plan on 6 months or more for mailed returns.  The IRS is taking a lot longer this year.  All you can do is wait and be patient.  

[Kyoung57]

I mailed tax return and not had a reply back

[VolvoGirl]

When did you mail it?   The IRS is behind on updating their website. Plan on 6 months or more for mailed returns. The IRS is taking a lot longer this year. All you can do is wait and be patient.

Here's a couple IRS articles. The IRS is still processing 2020 returns. As of June 21, 2022 the IRS is almost done processing 2020 returns, filed in 2021. See,
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-continues-work-on-inventory-of-tax-returns-original-tax-returns-fil...

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

[NCperson]

@Kyoung57 - as the IRS is woefully backlogged, assume it will be 6-9 months from the time you filed until the IRS processes your return.  you won't be able to see anything on the WMR tool until they begin processing.