How do I find out the status of my tax return

[jennsetha]

I checked at irs.gov and it's not giving me anything it's saying that my information is incorrect but it's all correct what do I do

[Critter-3]

How did you file--did you efile, or did you choose to print and mail the return?    If you filed by mail, then hopefully you physically printed and mailed it to the IRS; TurboTax does not mail it for you.

If you efiled, you should double-check to be sure the return was efiled successfully and accepted.  If you used Online TurboTax, you can sign into your Online Account and check the efile status at the Tax Home.

If the info at the Tax Home confirms it was accepted (or if you mailed the return), you can use the "Where's My Refund" tool at the IRS website below to check on the status of your Federal refund.  
https://www.irs.gov/Refunds

NOTE: When using that tool, be sure to enter the correct SSN and filing status.  Use only the Federal refund amount, and not any total refund amount that includes a state refund.  The amount to use is on your Federal Form 1040, Line 21a.

If the IRS tool says it is still being processed, here's how to reach the IRS to inquire about the delay, and I'll also tell you below how to reach the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service, if needed.

IRS:  800-829-1040 (7AM-7 PM local time) Monday-Friday

When calling the IRS do not choose the first choice re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.

• First choose your language.  Then listen to each menu before making the selection.
• Then press 2 for "personal income tax".
• Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".  
• Then press 3 "for all other questions."
• Then press 2 "for all other questions." 
• It may then ask for your SSN, but do not enter it.  Just wait.    If it asks for SSN a second time, still do not enter it.
• Then it will get "tired", and you'll get another menu.  Choose 2 for "personal".
• Then in the next menu choose 4 for "all other inquiries", and it should transfer you to an agent but expect a long wait.
• I usually use a speakerphone so I can work on something else while waiting.

If you continue to have no luck reaching the IRS, you can try contacting the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service for your area.    They are especially prone to help if you have an economic hardship, or if there have been continued delays with lack of info from the IRS.    At the following IRS website, find the USA map and click on your state, and it will give you the number of your IRS Taxpayer Advocate.    If the Taxpayer Advocate can't/won't help you, ask them to transfer you to an an IRS agent.  A couple of users reported that at least for them, that was a backdoor route to the IRS.

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Contact-a-Local-Taxpayer-Advocate

Also see this article for more info on how the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service works::
http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc104.html

[jennsetha]

@Critter-3  I paper filed and yes I printed and mailed it. However, I forgot to sign....have since gotten it back in the mail, signed, and returned I believe the middle of August. Now the turbo site says it's been amended, which it had, but still the IRS site is telling me the info I'm trying to use to check my status is incorrect. I've been trying this on both the regular return and amended return links. They require different details and neither of them will allow me to log in. I know my social, zip, and date of birth.....idk what the deal is. Will def use some of the info Monday and hopefully will get some answers that way. Thanks so much!!!

[xmasbaby0]

The IRS is working on opening over 11 million pieces of mail that piled up during the pandemic.  If you had to sign and return your mailed return in August, it could be buried in the pile.  Unless you clicked "Amend" by mistake and created a Form 1040X there would not be a reason to look in the amended return site for your information.  You did not "amend" if all you did was sign your name in ink and send the return back.  

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.

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