How long are amended return refunds taking? I filed my '18 amended return in May and IRS shows no sign that they've received it. Can't get ahold of anyone by phone either

[chelhoover2]

I've checked the "where's my refund" portal and it doesn't show that the IRS has any indication that I've sent in an amended return for 2018. It's been 5 months now.

[DoninGA]

Use this IRS website for the status of a federal amended tax return, Form 1040X, that you printed and mailed to the IRS - https://www.irs.gov/filing/wheres-my-amended-return

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

See 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.

[chelhoover2]

Thank you for your help! I've previously checked the link you provided specifically for amended paper returns for a status update, however the only option I have is to view 2017 amended refund status, when I'm looking for an update on my 2018 amended taxes. Do you think it's possible that the IRS just hasn't updated this portal yet since they have so many unprocessed paper returns to go through? I'm just worried that my amended return got lost in the mail or something. 

[DoninGA]

There is a good possibility that the IRS has not yet gotten to the return you filed.  Just keep checking once a week and the status should become available in another month or two.  We have seen messages from users who mailed their returns back in February and are still waiting for their tax refunds.  

The only issue you have is knowing whether or not the return was received by the IRS.  If you did not use a tracking service from the US Post Office then you will not have proof of receipt.  With the backlog at the IRS do not consider mailing another amended tax return as it would only further delay the process.